Power Rankings: Lions Want to Roar Loudly in Playoffs

Lions end 2023 season among top teams in NFL.

All Lions

Power ranking: 3rd

Previous rank: 4th

The Lions finished the 2023 season with a 12-5 record. Over the course of a long season, Detroit was tested and passed with flying colors whenever adversity was faced. 

Heading into the postseason, Dan Campbell's squad has just as good a shot to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl as the other seven teams. 

The Athletic

Power ranking: 4th

Previous rank: 4th

What happened to the Lions on Sunday is the reason the Ravens and 49ers rested their frontline players. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta, who was fifth among tight ends this season with 889 receiving yards, suffered a hyperextended knee and bone bruise. 

His timeline for return hasn’t been determined, but he could miss their playoff opener. That could be a problem for a team that leans heavily on the league’s fifth-most prolific offense (27.12 ppg).

Lions' Secondary Earns Poor PFF Grades Against Vikings

Sporting News

Power ranking: 7th (Out of remaining playoff teams)

Previous rank: 5th

The Lions aren't just happy to be back in the playoffs as division champions after a 30-year drought. They want to roar loudly and be a factor in the NFC tournament. 

They can win offensively with Jared Goff's passing or a lot of running from their talented RBs. They also shut down the run and can rush the passer. However, shaky pass coverage can be a major Achilles' heel against the loaded offenses in the playoffs.

Pro Football Network

Power ranking: 6th

Previous rank: 7th

There will be a lot of discussion concerning Dan Campbell’s decision to play his starters against the Vikings. Although a win kept the possibility of the No. 2 seed alive, the difference between the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds are negligible.

Yahoo!

Power ranking: 5th

Previous rank: 5th

It's not just the Sam LaPorta injury, which obviously isn't great for the Lions' offense if he can't play this week. Detroit's defense is an issue, too. The Lions have given up 300 yards passing in three straight games, twice to Nick Mullens and the Vikings. That's not great with Matthew Stafford and the Rams coming in for a wild-card game.

Bleacher Report

Power ranking: 5th

Previous rank: 7th

The Detroit Lions had something to play for in Week 18: a narrow chance at the NFC's No. 2 seed. But given what happened in the Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings, they may wish they had pulled their starters.Sam LaPorta became the record-holder for receptions by a tight end and just the third rookie TE to haul in 10 touchdown passes. 

But he also suffered a hyperextended knee and bone bruise that leaves his status for this week's tilt with the Los Angeles Rams in doubt.Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown told reporters that the timing of the injuries to LaPorta and Kalif Raymond is far from ideal.