Lions Reclaim Top-Five Spot in Latest Power Rankings

Latest NFL power rankings released.

All Lions

Power ranking: 3rd

Previous rank: 3rd

The Lions took the opportunity to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses over the bye week. 

Time off for the NFC North leaders came at the perfect time, as the roster will be healthier, as they prepare to face a Chargers team that defeated the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. 

If the team can improve on their pass rush and red zone efficiency, the second half of the season will produce many wins. 

Sports Illustrated

Power ranking: 6th

Previous rank: 8th

The Lions were on bye just as Jahmyr Gibbs was rounding into form and just as my fantasy team desperately clung to his bootstraps in a desperate attempt to remain relevant. They come back a stronger unit, with their running back committee at full health and now more diverse and experienced. If I were the Chargers, I would dread getting Detroit on long rest. 

The Athletic

Power ranking: 4th

Previous rank: 5th

The Lions have gone from 3-13 to 9-8 to now 6-2 in head coach Dan Campbell’s three seasons. Detroit’s only two losses have come against Seattle and Baltimore, and it is second in the league in yards per game (390.6) and fifth in yards allowed per game (296.9). And this is not a team that has mortgaged its future. The Lions are eighth in the league in available cap space for 2024 ($73.3 million), according to Over the Cap.

Sporting News

Power ranking: 5th

Previous rank: 6th

"The Lions were the other felines on a bye and can feel great about their chances to compete with the other NFC heavyweights in the second half and into the playoffs. But first they have work to do as the Vikings won't go away.

Lions Seeking to Improve in Three Key Areas

Pro Football Network

Power ranking: 5th

Previous rank: 7th

"The Lions aren’t the best team in the NFC, but they’re not far from it. Their loss to the Ravens was an eyesore, but we saw again this week what Baltimore does to NFC teams. Even with that embarrassing loss, Detroit ranked just outside of the top 10 in offense and inside of it on defense."

ESPN

Power ranking: 5th

Previous rank: 8th

The Pro Bowl receiver was named one of six team captains for the 2023 season and has continued to build on a great start to his NFL career. St. Brown might not be the most vocal person in the locker room, but his work ethic and production speaks for itself. He has five 100-yard receiving games this season, helping Detroit to a 6-2 start for the first time since 2014. He pushed through an illness to help the Lions beat the Raiders on "Monday Night Football" on Oct. 30 -- finishing with six receptions for 108 yards. Performances like that one have inspired his teammates and the coaching staff. "That was not the best he's felt, but like a true warrior he just sucked it up and he went," coach Dan Campbell said after the game. 

CBS Sports

Power ranking: 6th

Previous rank: 9th

They come off their bye with a tough road trip to play the Chargers. They have to feel good about their first half in a lot of ways.

Yahoo!

Power ranking: 4th

Previous rank: 5th

David Montgomery could return in Week 10. He was playing very well before he got hurt, and he'll return as rookie Jahmyr Gibbs is coming off a monster game with 189 yards from scrimmage. The Montgomery/Gibbs running back combination might not be great for your fantasy team, but it will be an elite combination for the Lions the rest of the way.

USA Today

Power ranking: 7th

Previous rank: 7th

 In the three games he's started, rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs has a league-best 132.3 yards from scrimmage per. Maybe keep him in the starting lineup even with war hammer RB David Montgomery set to return from a rib injury?