Here's a riddle for you: What's Black and Blue and frightening all over?

If your answer was the 2024 NFC North, you are correct.

So far this season, the North – aptly named the "Black and Blue division" for highly competitive and physical games between its residents – has been overwhelming the rest of the league. The Vikings, Lions, Packers and Bears all own a record of 4-1 or better through six weeks, becoming the first division since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to have every team with at least four wins at this point in the season.

Historically, Green Bay (.615 win percentage), Chicago (.577) and Minnesota (.559) have been the three best teams in the NFL in the month of October. Detroit has struggled, though, ranking 25^th in the league in the month with a win percentage of .444.

The Vikings and Packers have been the only division matchup of the season thus far, but that will change this Sunday when Minnesota (5-0) hosts Detroit (4-1) at noon at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Both Minnesota and Detroit's records have resulted from its top-tier play on both sides of the ball.

Minnesota has been dizzying on defense under second-year Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores. The Vikings rank fifth in the NFL in total yards and passing yards allowed per play (4.81 and 5.72, respectively) and second in rushing yards allowed per game (67.2). Minnesota is also tied for third in sacks (20), tied for second in total takeaways (13) and leads the league in passes defensed (41), interceptions (11) and interception rate (4.78 percent).

Additionally, the Vikings have allowed an average of 15.2 points per game to opponents, the third-lowest mark in the NFL.

Offensively, while Minnesota has been in the middle of the pack in terms of total yards (323.2, 17^th), rushing yards (115.4, 20^th) and passing yards (207.8, 19^th) per game, the team has made up for it in capitalizing in the red zone (fifth in the NFL in red zone percentage at 68.8) and scoring (tied for fifth at 27.8 points per game).

Detroit, meanwhile, has been electric from an offensive standpoint. The Lions rank inside the top 5 in the NFL in total yards (416.0, third), rushing yards (157.8, fourth), and passing yards (258.2, fourth) per game and lead the league in scoring at 30.2 points per contest.

Defensively, Detroit is equally as stifling in the run game, ranking just behind Minnesota at 83.2 yards allowed per game. The Lions have also been solid in limiting yards per play through the air (6.09, eighth) and on the ground (4.16, seventh), and are tied for fourth in interceptions (seven), tied for seventh in total takeaways (10), tied for 14^th in sacks (15) and tied for third in passes defensed (34).

The Lions have also allowed an average of 18.2 points per game to opponents, which is the eighth-lowest in the league.

The Vikings and Lions have met 125 times in their history, with Minnesota holding an 80-43-2 advantage in the all-time series. Although Detroit has won the past three matchups, Minnesota won nine of the previous 10 meetings, including eight consecutive between November 2017 and October 2021.

Since the bye week was first introduced to the NFL in 1990, Minnesota has posted a record of 22-13 in games immediately following a bye week (2-0 under Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell). The Vikings are 4-0 against Detroit all-time in those games (31-14 in 1992, 31-24 in 2000 and 2002 and 27-10 in 2009), with three of them coming at home. Minnesota's win in 1992 against the Lions also came after a Week 6 bye.

Let's see who the experts are picking to win the game:

Vikings 31, Lions 26 – Pete Prisco, CBS Sports

This is for first place in the division with the Vikings coming off the bye and the Lions coming off a blowout of the Cowboys on the road. The Lions lost Aidan Hutchinson with a broken leg, which will impact their pass rush in a big way. Look for Sam Darnold to light it up throwing to Justin Jefferson. The Lions will get theirs as well with Jared Goff playing well. It will be a fun one to watch, but the Vikings will win it.

Lions 30, Vikings 28 – Staff, Bleacher Report

The Minnesota Vikings have covered the spread in all five of their games, while the Detroit Lions have covered in their last four contests. That makes it tough to rely on ATS trends in this spot.

Also, the Lions defense will have to adjust to life without edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who suffered a season-ending leg injury last week.

On Tuesday, the Vikings acquired running back Cam Akers from the Houston Texans. Since he's already familiar with head coach and play-caller Kevin O'Connell's offense, he may see action immediately if Aaron Jones, Sr., doesn't suit up.

Most of our panelists expect the Lions to win a scoring shootout. [Bleacher Report editor Ian] Hanford thinks Detroit will rise to the occasion in a marquee matchup.

"The Hutchinson injury is devastating for the Lions. I'd argue he's the most important non-QB on any contender, and Dan Campbell recently called him the team's heartbeat," Hanford said. "His loss will be felt as the season goes on, depending on any moves Detroit makes to help the pass rush, but I expect it to galvanize the Lions in this huge NFC North showdown.

"Neither one of these teams can stop the pass," Hanford added. "This one feels like a shootout, and the Lions offense is humming right now. Detroit covers the spread for the fourth straight time against the Vikings on Sunday."

Lions 31, Vikings 28 – Bill Bender, Sporting News

[Lions defensive end Aidan] Hutchinson had 7.5 sacks this season, which matched the total for the rest of the team. The good news? Jared Goff is dealing. Goff is 36-of-43 for 607 yards, five TDs, and no interceptions the past two weeks. Minnesota had a bye week after its trip to London. The Vikings have an opportunity to pull ahead in the NFC North with a victory here, especially if they keep Sam Darnold clean. The Lions broke a five-game losing streak at Minnesota last season, and they start a new streak with a late TD here.

Lions 24, Vikings 20 – Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News

The Lions are relentless and explosive with their offense, as their run-oriented balance keeps leading to big-time passing. The Vikings can handle the run and then get into position to rush the passer and force takeaways for DC Brian Flores. The problem is not having enough offensive answers or ground support to keep up on the scoreboard.

2 of 6 experts pick the Vikings, The MMQB

4 of 11 experts pick the Vikings, ESPN

2 of 8 experts pick the Vikings, Bleacher Report

3 of 9 experts pick the Vikings, The Athletic