Power Rankings: Lions Shine Dealing With Adversity, Move Up

A look at where Lions stand in Week 17 power rankings.

Detroit Lions defensive end Josh Paschal (93) celebrates after receiving the fumble at Soldier Field / Audrey Richardson / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Here's a look at where the Detroit Lions stand in the most recent power rankings assembled by national media outlets, following a 34-17 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 16.

Sports Illustrated

Power ranking: 2nd

Previous ranking: 3rd

One useful holiday gift for each NFL team.

Lions: A titanium leg for Aidan Hutchinson. 

The Athletic

Power ranking: 2nd

Previous ranking: 3rd

The Lions’ injured reserve list is ridiculous — Aidan Hutchinson, Alex Anzalone, Marcus Davenport, Carlton Davis III, Alim McNeill, Malcolm Rodriguez and Ennis Rakestraw Jr., and that’s not all of them. David Montgomery remains on the active roster, but he’s a long shot to return because of a knee injury. At least this week, though, it didn’t seem to bother them as they put 475 yards on the hapless Bears.

CBS Sports

Power ranking: 3rd

Previous ranking: 4th

The offense showed it can move the football in any type of weather in the blowout of the Bears. The undermanned defense gave up yards, but made stops when needed.

More: Lions Bringing 'Everything We've Got' Against San Francisco 49ers

Lone Wolves Lions Video Podcast
--What gift would we give Lions?
--No. 1 seed is closer to achieve!
--Lions offense balled out against Bears
--Is defense good enough to win playoff games?
--Ifeatu Melifonwu staying healthy would be huge benefit for Aaron Glenn's defense pic.twitter.com/CdfoHwM1JI

— DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) December 23, 2024

Yahoo Sports 

Power ranking: 3rd

Previous ranking: 3rd

A matchup between two 14-2 teams in the regular-season finale, with the winner getting the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the loser going on the road wild-card weekend with a 14-3 record, is still in play. Detroit faces the 49ers in Week 17, though that test looks easier with the current state of the 49ers.

Bleacher Report

Power ranking: 2nd

Previous ranking: 3rd

I don't know if the Lions can continue navigating their injuries and make a run all the way to the Super Bowl. However, they continue to show that they won't simply fold under adversity. Even with David Montgomery (MCL) out of the lineup, Detroit still has the offensive fuel needed to match points with any team in the NFL, and that's going to give them a chance each and every week.

This may still end up being the ultimate "what-if" season for the Lions, but if there's a team with mental makeup to make a masterpiece out of molded bread, it's Detroit.

USA Today

Power ranking: 2nd

Previous ranking: 3rd

The first team in franchise history to win 13 games, they're trying to pave the NFC pathway to the Super Bowl directly to Ford Field. Plenty of work yet to do on that front, even for a team that's almost certainly the franchise's best of the Super Bowl era (since 1966) – the Lions' 493 points and 7-0 road record are club bests – much as that's also indicative of their checkered-at-best history over that period. Regardless, give Dan Campbell and Co. credit for continuing to play at a high level no matter how many injuries and other obstacles they must navigate. Detroit is the only team this season with a 1,000-yard rusher with 10 TDs (Jahmyr Gibbs)anda 1,000-yard receiver with 10 TDs (Amon-Ra St. Brown).

ESPN

Power ranking: 2nd

Previous ranking: 3rd

Arnold has been a pivotal player in Detroit's first 13-win team with 52 total tackles and nine passes defended. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn says Arnold has "ice water in his veins" and has high expectations for him going forward. "We're putting a lot of pressure on this player by the way that we play, but there's no other way that he would want it," Glenn said Dec. 12. "So, I'm glad we've got him for the simple fact that he's going to be one of the top corners in this league as his years progress."