Power Rankings: Lions Look Like NFL Team That Could Beat Anyone

Lions impress NFL world with dominant win against Broncos.

All Lions

Power ranking: 3rd

Previous rank: 5th

The Detroit Lions got back on track with a convincing win against the Denver Broncos at Ford Field. 

If the Lions are capable of putting together performances like they did in Week 15, it will be difficult to defeat Dan Campbell's squad. 

Both sides of the football played at a high level in a 42-17 victory. 

Also, Detroit's roster is going to be bolstered by the return of several key defensive players, as C.J. Gardner-Johnson will begin practicing this week. James Houston and Alim McNeill will also be nearing their return by the time the playoffs begin 

Bleacher Report

Power ranking: 3rd

Previous rank: 5th

After losing two of three heading into Week 15, whispers had begun to grow that maybe the Lions weren't a top-tier team after all. Sure, they were the best team in their division, but they didn't look the part of a team that could hang with the likes of the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.

Saturday night against a Broncos team that had won six of seven, the Lions looked like a team who could beat anyone.

There wasn't much that the Lions didn't excel at Saturday night. After eight turnovers in his previous four games, Detroit quarterback Jared Goff threw five touchdown passes without a turnover. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for 185 rushing yards. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta found the end zone three times. The Lions defense allowed just 75 yards in the first half and 287 overall.

The Athletic

Power ranking: 7th

Previous rank: 8th

It’s not shocking that the rookie tight end is good, but this good? LaPorta had three touchdown catches Saturday night and now has nine on the season, the fourth-most receiving touchdowns in the league. LaPorta, the No. 34 pick in the 2023 draft, already has 758 receiving yards, the sixth most by a rookie tight end in the history of the league. If he hits his average the rest of the season, he will end up third behind only Mike Ditka and Kyle Pitts.

Sporting News

Power ranking: 4th

Previous rank: 7th

The Lions got back on track at home on Saturday with the elite running game plowing through a porous Broncos un defense. That returning development also resettled Jared Goff at home to play well and inspired the defense. They can now feel better about their playoff dangerous status as soon-to-be new division champions.

Lions Are 3.5-Point Favorite against Vikings

Pro Football Network

Power ranking: 8th

Previous rank: 8th

The Lions can clinch their first playoff berth since 2016 if the Seahawks lose on Monday night, and they’ve all but locked up the NFC North. Detroit has a three-game lead on Minnesota with three weeks to play. Although the Lions and Vikings will play twice to close the year, Dan Campbell’s club would have to collapse not to secure the division title.

ESPN

Power ranking: 6th

Previous rank: 6th

Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could be a head-coaching candidates this offseason as he has the Lions' offense in a great spot through 14 games. Under Johnson's playcalling, it makes sense that Detroit would attack with five receivers 70.5% of the time. The Lions have seen big production from receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kalif Raymond, Josh Reynolds, Jameson Williams and Donovan Peoples-Jones while even lining up running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery and tight ends Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright for pass routes at points. The Lions average the third-most offensive points per game, and a big part of that stems from the creativity on offense.

Yahoo!

Power ranking: 8th

Previous rank: 8th

There was a lot of good news in the win over the Broncos, but the best news might have been Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combining for 185 rushing yards on 6.6 yards per attempt. The Broncos don't have a good run defense, but the Lions getting their running backs going again would be a great sign.

USA Today

Power ranking: 8th

Previous rank: 7th

One more win or Vikings loss – the Lions can make both those things happen in Minnesota on Sunday – means the NFC North flag will fly in Motown for the first time ever. Too bad the game's not in prime time, where Detroit has won five in a row.