Early 2024 NFL Power Rankings: Lions Are Among Elite Teams

Lions are ranked among best teams in the NFL.

ESPN

Power ranking: 4th

"Offensively, the Lions have very few holes to fill. But the defense is a different story. After an NFC Championship Game appearance, the Lions hold the No. 29 overall pick in the draft. They should consider adding talent to the front four on the defensive line and in the secondary, with another cornerback to help with a pass coverage unit that allowed the sixth-most passing yards (247.4) per game this past season. Lions general manager Brad Holmes says they will continue to be "very strategic" and "very selective" in their process of drafting and signing players but will utilize free agency when needed."

The Athletic

Power ranking: 3rd

"Everyone’s favorite underdog had the 49ers on the ropes in the NFC Championship Game, has money to spend ($47 million in cap space) and, shockingly, still has offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who rebuffed the Washington Commanders to stay in Detroit. Every significant offensive contributor remains under contract on a team that finished fifth in the league in scoring (27.35 ppg). When coach Dan Campbell said after the loss to the Niners that it would be “twice as hard” to get back to that point next season, it wasn’t poor-mouthing, it was just his first motivational speech of the 2024 season."

Antonio Brown Says Lions Could Have Dominated Chiefs

USA Today

Power ranking: 3rd

"Make no mistake; getting Ben Johnson back as offensive coordinator is a big deal. Jared Goff played arguably his finest season and undoubtedly his best postseason, thanks in large part to the playoff afforded him. Now he gets to run it back against the backdrop of a young defense that should trend upward in 2024. Maybe this year’s NFC title game was the team’s best shot at a Super Bowl, but it doesn’t feel that way."

Fox Sports

Power ranking: 3rd

"Dan Campbell is right that the Lions may never make it back to the NFC Championship Game, but outside the two Super Bowl participants, I don't think anyone is better set up to make a run. Virtually all of Detroit's core players are young, so there aren't a ton of crucial free agents. Ben Johnson decided to return as offensive coordinator. That's before you mention that the Lions have $50 million in salary-cap space, and they could create even more by extending Jared Goff. They were a play or two away from reaching the Super Bowl this year, and they may field an even better team in 2024."

Yahoo!

Power ranking: 5th

"The Lions improved dramatically and will test teams going forward and will be tested by teams because they can’t sneak up on anyone."

Sporting News

Power ranking: 5th

"The Lions will have even more hype as a potential playoff power coming off their breakout run to the NFC championship game with Dan Campbell not losing his coordinators and Brad Holmes has the capital overall to keep filling more holes via free agency and the draft."