NFL World Reacts to Lions' Win: 'Detroit's Best Team Since 1957'

Reactions from Detroit's win over Green Bay on Thursday Night Football.

The Detroit Lions made a statement to a national audience Thursday. In their first divisional game, they roared to a big early lead before managing the clock in the second half en route to a two-touchdown win. 

The win puts them in first place in the NFC North four games into the young season. As a result, many are beginning to take notice of what could be a special team in Detroit. 

"The Lions are 3-1 following Thursday’s victory over the Packers at Lambeau Field. That’s now four straight wins for Detroit head to head against the team that has dominated the division for decades, while the Lions often have been looking up from the bottom," NFL.com's Eric Edholm wrote. "Who are these guys? The new NFC North favorites. That’s now two signature road victories -- and not just anywhere, at Arrowhead and Lambeau in prime time -- through four games. And it was the way it went down. The Lions dominated the first half, leading, 27-3, and outgaining the Packers, 284-21. That was the third-biggest halftime deficit the Packers have ever faced at Lambeau, tied with the Michael Vick playoff game of yore. The Lions’ win wasn’t quite as seismic as that night, but it is a sign that this team is here to stay."

The Lions' last division title came in 1993, back when it was the NFC Central. They have yet to win the North division as it stands, but early in the year, many believe this team could be the one to do it. 

"It might be blasphemy to say it about any other franchise after just four games, but Lions fans probably won't argue much," Yahoo! Sports' Schwab wrote. "This looks like Detroit's best team since 1957. There aren't many other candidates. They've won just one playoff game since then and no Lions' teams since then have had the balance of this one.Last season, the Lions were good on offense and decent at best on defense. The Lions went to work on the defense in the offseason. It showed Thursday night."

As The Athletic's Chris Branch also pointed out, the Lions have established a firm identity on both sides of the ball. The defense is much improved, while the offense has kept opponents at bay by controlling the clock and being explosive when needed.

"Dan Campbell’s crew is arguably the NFL’s most impressive team thus far. Yes, the Chiefs/Bills/49ers might have slightly better data, but Detroit is a shockingly gritty group, as Colton Pouncy writes," Branch wrote. "Through four weeks, they already have wins in Kansas City and Green Bay. They win on both sides of the ball. Both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn might be head coaches next season. Don’t let the final score fool you: This was a beatdown. It was 27-3 at the half."

Here is a sample of other online reactions to Detroit's win:

The Lions took over the stadium in the stands and on the field. The Lions are primetime now. pic.twitter.com/nYuabSGv10

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 29, 2023

Liked this @Lions team coming into tonight, but damn..Detroit you gotta really good lookin team!
Good luck to ya and hope you stay healthy along the way and make one hell of a run! This team is REAL!

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) September 29, 2023