NFL World Realizing Detroit Lions Are Super Bowl Contenders

NFL world reacts to Detroit Lions' 5-1 start to 2023 season.

Here is a collection of what was said by the national media, after the Detroit Lions defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 20-6, at Raymond James Stadium Sunday.  

Sports Illustrated

"Detroit (5–1) continues to show it’s a contender. The Lions typically win by dominating up front. That’s not what happened against the Buccaneers (3–2). Detroit ran for less than 2.0 yards per carry and allowed three sacks. However, Jared Goff threw for 353 yards and the defense didn’t allow a touchdown. Detroit has a well-rounded team, and it’s showing every week."

CBS Sports

"While many of those youngsters are key, foundational pieces to this 5-1 Lions team, the club's staying power resides in four of five players whose additions to the roster predate the Holmes-Dan Campbell regime -- Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson, Frank Ragnow and Halapoulivaati Vaitai along the people-moving offensive line. When all on the field together, it's an elite group of powerful, athletic, well-balanced veteran blockers who've seen every blitz package and size, shape and style of pass rusher.

I won't run through the rest of the Lions schedule, because the NFL has an incredible amount of parity -- as we were starkly reminded of in Week 6 -- but Detroit is constructed in a way that makes them serious Super Bowl contenders.

A smart quarterback who plays within himself and has No. 1 overall pick natural talent paired with a young, progressive play-caller. A Kevlar offensive line, a diverse group of skill-position players. A deep defensive front with a superstar pressure-creator, and a bevy of dynamic defenders on the back end."

Lions Tied for Best Record in NFL

NFL.com

"For the fourth time this season, Detroit’s defense held its opponent to 20 points or fewer, and three of those games have come on the road. That’s the formula for victory for a team that has scored 20 or more in every game. The Lions had only one sack on Sunday, but they still found sources of pressure. They covered (Cameron Sutton especially) and tackled well, which are sometimes-overlooked elements of what makes a defense great. But DC Aaron Glenn knows that, and it’s showing up on game days. The Bucs didn’t gain more than 43 yards on a drive until Detroit was in prevent mode late. This Lions’ defense has taken a few hits with injuries, but outside of the Seattle game in Week 2, it has been markedly improved over the group we saw last season."

The Athletic

"The 5-1 Lions look shiny right now. Their 20-6 win over the 3-2 Buccaneers ties them for the league’s best record, and it’s worth pointing out their lone loss was in overtime against the 3-2 Seahawks."

USA Today

"Are the Detroit Lions the NFL’s best team? We mentioned power rankings won’t be out until Tuesday? But they’re 5-1, too – their best record to start a season since 2011 – after thumping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-6. Few teams have the balance on both sides of the ball that Detroit does."