What a weekend of football for the Detroit Lions and their fans. The Lions captured their first NFC North title and their first divsion championship since 1993. They also clinched their first playoff berth since 2016 and will now host a playoff game at Ford Field for the first time ever. Surely that was enough to move them up in power rankings. Let’s take a look.
Yahoo Sports: 7th
Previous ranking: 8th
“No matter what happens in a few weeks, don’t let it overshadow a cool and fun season for Detroit. The first division title since 1993 and the first home playoff game ever at Ford Field (opened in 2002) are reasons for celebration.” -Frank Schwab
The Athletic: 5th
Previous ranking: 7th
“MVP: Penei Sewell
This is probably blatant disrespect for Jared Goff, but the Lions have been built around a certain attitude, and nobody represents that attitude more than Sewell, the offensive tackle who came into the weekend as Pro Football Focus’ top-rated pass blocker and run blocker. Goff is having a great year, but we don’t think Detroit is third in the league in yards per game (394.1) without Sewell, who will have his fifth-year option picked up this offseason and then get paid after that.” -Josh Kendall
USA Today: 5th
Previous ranking: 8th
“By now, you’re probably aware they’re division champions for the first time in 30 years. But did you know this is the first time in the franchise’s 94-season history that it’s managed 20 regular-season wins over a two-year period?” -Nate Davis
Pro Football Network: 8th
Previous ranking: 8th
“The Lions’ defense has no excuse for somehow turning Mullens over at every corner while also allowing the Vikings to consistently trot right down the field. However, they may have found themselves a player in Ifeatu Melifonwu, who has spent years playing in reserve in Detroit before being thrust into a starting safety role recently.” -Dalton Miller
CBS Sports: 4th
Previous ranking: 5th
“They have won a division for the first time since 1993. They can now get ready for the playoffs, but they need to tighten up that defense.” -Pete Prisco
Pro Football Talk: 6th
Previous ranking: 8th
“They’ve won the division for the first time in 30 years. Will they win a playoff game for the first time in 32?” -Mike Florio
The Sporting News: 4th
Previous ranking: 4th
“The Lions got their running game rolling again in Minnesota to take pressure off Jared Goff, and even though their defense gave up some big plays, it came up with more in return to spark the taking of a first division title in 30 years. Detroit wants to keep its breakthrough momentum into the playoffs.” -Vinnie Iyer
Bleacher Report: 3rd
Previous ranking: 3rd
“The last time the Detroit Lions won the NFC North, it wasn’t the NFC North—it was still the NFC Central. Bill Clinton was president. The top grossing movie that year was Jurassic Park—the first one. That year, the World Wide Web was first introduced into the public domain.
Yes, the last time the Lions were division champs, the internet first became a thing.
However, after outlasting the Vikings in Minnesota on Sunday, the Lions rule the North. And as Moton wrote, the fact that Detroit won as much with defense as offense bodes well for its chances of doing damage in the postseason.” -BR NFL Staff