Lions Tumble Out of Top 5 in Latest Power Rankings

The Lions' stock took a hit after Week 7 loss.

The Detroit Lions will be forced to reflect on the poor week that was Week 7. 

Entering the showdown with the Baltimore Ravens as one of the highest-rated teams in the NFL, they were delivered a stunning blowout to dampen the spirits of recent weeks.

Detroit's record now sits at 5-2 on the season. Though many believe the team is still a legitimate contender, there are obvious flaws that were exposed Sunday and need to be corrected.

Here's where Detroit stands amongst the latest national power rankings:

All Lions

Power ranking: 6th

Previous rank: 1st

The Detroit Lions had one of their worst performances against a quality AFC opponent. 

It was unfortunate the defense did not learn many defensive lessons from the Seattle Seahawks loss, as similar issues with discipline popped up against the Baltimore Ravens. 

The Ravens were able to expose each and every weakness of Detroit's defense in a blowout victory. 

What is more concerning is Dan Campbell and his coaching staff were outcoached and did not have the proper game plan to compete on the road. 

Sports Illustrated

Power ranking: 7th

Previous rank: 7th

"As I wrote on Sunday, I am not taking a real big-picture view of this Lions loss. Sometimes in the NFL, you’re going to get clubbed because you’re still figuring stuff out. I think this is where I want to explain why I previously had the team No. 7, which sent some of Lions Twitter into a tailspin. The Power Rankings are living, breathing thing. The Buccaneers did a good job of taking away some of their core running concepts, and, like a lot of run-dominant teams, I was curious to see how they would reinvent themselves. I wanted to see the Lions’ counterpunch. I have no doubt it’s there, but what is the harm in putting them as the SEVENTH BEST (read: still very good) until we figure out what that looks like?"

Sporting News

Power ranking: 7th

Previous rank: 5th

"The Lions' defense crashed in Baltimore as they couldn't handle the dual threat of Lamar Jackson and their coverage breakdowns caught up to them, big-time. Their offense was put in an impossible one-dimensional position with Jared Goff. They need to prove the next step as a good young team by shaking it off, fast."

Dan Campbell Explains Why Starters Were Not Pulled Against Ravens

Pro Football Network

Power ranking: 8th

Previous rank: 3rd

"After looking like one of the most consistent teams in the NFL to begin the season, the Lions ran into the Ravens’ buzzsaw. Both teams, at their best, are among the best in the league. However, the Lions clearly did not show up against Baltimore, who got up early and never let off the gas."

ESPN

Power ranking: 9th 

Previous rank: 5th

"The 22-year-old rookie has been a steady target for Lions quarterback Jared Goff so far this season. The second-round pick is the first tight end in NFL history to log at least three receptions and 35 receiving yards in each of the first seven games of his career. LaPorta said the learning curve for him and his rookie teammates was "much quicker" than for other rookies around the league because the Lions needed them to contribute immediately. "Which we liked," LaPorta told ESPN. "We want to play at the highest level. We want to contribute to the success of this team. We didn't want to feel like we were so-called rookies. We wanted to contribute in a positive way."

CBS Sports

Power ranking: 8th

Previous rank: 3rd

"That was a tough game at Baltimore, but it was the way they played that's a bad look. They got dominated in every facet of the game."

Yahoo!

Power ranking: 6th

Previous rank: 2nd

"The Lions aren't bad. We just need to recalibrate after Sunday's blowout loss. Great teams usually aren't trailing anyone 35-0, like Detroit was at the Ravens on Sunday. Only two Super Bowl champs (1994 49ers, 2000 Buccaneers) suffered a loss of 32 or more points. That's OK. We just need to slow down the talk about the Lions being perhaps the best team in the NFC. They're going to win the NFC North, be a tough out in the playoffs and if everything breaks right make a good run. That's a great season for a Lions team that hasn't won a division title in 30 years."

USA Today

Power ranking: 6th

Previous rank: 2nd

"That resounding thud you heard was the end of a 15-game streak of scoring at least 20 points and a 17-game run of at least double-digit points."

The Athletic

Power ranking: 6th

Previous rank: 3rd

"After being the league’s feel-good story through the first third of the season, Detroit got pummeled Sunday. Baltimore had 503 yards and averaged 9.1 yards per play, the most by any team not named the Dolphins in a game this season. Jared Goff had a quarterback rating of 68.4. The Lions were third in the league in yards (383.7) and fourth in points (28) through six weeks but fell behind 35-0 Sunday. Coach Dan Campbell said he thinks the game will “re-center” his team, but they don’t have a lot of institutional confidence to fall back on."