Yep, you read the headline correctly: The Detroit Lions are the best team in the NFC after the previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles lost their respective Week 6 road matchups.
The Lions also had their own road challenge in the 3-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but thoroughly disposed of them in a wire-to-wire, 20-6 victory. The Bucs were able to hang around for the first half, but the Lions bullied and balled their way to a deciding victory over the last 30 minutes of the game.
The 49ers lost to the Deshaun Watson-less Cleveland Browns and the Eagles lost to the Zack Wilson-led New York Jets. Yes, both the Browns and Jets have excellent defenses that can keep them in games, but neither are currently considered playoff contenders with their present quarterback situations.
The Bucs, on the other hand, are still sitting pretty atop the NFC South with their 3-2 record. And, they’re still considered to be a playoff contender when talking about the present day. Overall, they are the better team of the three, right now.
The Lions held the Bucs to just 251 total net yards, 4.6 yards per play, and allowed them to convert just 2-of-12 third down attempts. The latter number includes an o-for-5 showing in the second half that helped the Lions build their lead. They showed they were the better team and never really gave the Bucs a chance to say otherwise.
Baker Mayfield was largely ineffective and the Bucs’ running game was non-existent. Wide receiver Chris Godwin was able to make some plays, but that was about it. Tampa Bay fought hard on defense, but the Lions offense was typically always one step ahead in crucial situations, as Ben Johnson called a great game.
But, most importantly, the Lions are playing consistent, winning football. The Eagles and 9ers aren’t doing that, as evidenced by today’s results.
Going on the road and winning big against good teams is extremely hard to do in the NFL. What was supposed to be the better teams failed to do that today, while the Lions took care of business. Our own Mike Payton tried to to bring people into the light last week. Hopefully they listened.
Because this Lions team is no joke and should be taken very seriously. And it’s going to stay like this all season long.