The Lions are fresh off an emotional overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1, a win that helped cement Lions as a contender, even with plenty to clean up going forward. How did the win affect the Lions in the various media power rankings? Let’s find out.
USA Today
Current rank: 2
Last week’s rank: 2
What Nate Davis had to say: “Did we mention this club might be unstoppable if WR Jameson Williams (5 catches for 121 yards and a TD in Sunday night’s win) consistently plays up to his ability? (Hint: We did.).”
Pro Football Talk
Current rank: 2
Last week’s rank: 2
What Mike Florio had to say: “The Lions are capable of suffocating most teams in the NFL.”
ESPN NFL Nation
Current rank: 3
Last week’s rank: 4
What Eric Woodyard had to say: “In his NFL debut, Arnold finished with eight total tackles in Detroit’s overtime win over the Rams. The rookie took 97% of snaps and appeared up and down at times while facing veteran QB Matthew Stafford, WR Cooper Kupp and a potent Rams offense. “It’s very evident it’s not too big for him,’ coach Dan Campbell said of Arnold on Monday. ‘He’s got a lot to clean up, but yet man, it was very promising. He was in stride. He showed up for us, and he’s only gonna get better and better.’”
NFL.com
Current rank: 3
Last week’s rank: 4
What Eric Edholm had to say: “The Lions won in a playoff-like atmosphere against a Rams team they barely put away in the playoffs eight months ago. It was not the explosive offensive performance we’ve come to expect from them, but it was an impressive show of toughness and will nonetheless. I say it’s a good thing and a sign of relative growth that Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown can have the kinds of performances they did and the Lions can still win. The Jameson Williams breakout game was a terrific development, and the run game closed it out. But that also doesn’t mean the secondary questions on defense have suddenly gone away. Matthew Stafford kinda gutted them for stretches. First-round CB Terrion Arnold was up against it all night. The Lions are real, but they remain imperfect. ”
Yahoo Sports
Current rank: 3
Last week’s rank: 2
What Frank Schwab had to say: “There was a fourth-and-2 play early Sunday night in which the Lions ran it up the middle and got it. How many other teams would run up the middle in that situation? That’s what happens when you have what might be the NFL’s best offensive line. It was a precursor for overtime, when the Lions got the ball first and ran it on seven of eight plays to score the walk-off winner..”
CBS Sports
Current rank: 4
Last week’s rank: 7
What Pete Prisco had to say: “They nearly fretted away a lead against the Rams, but showed their physical toughness to win it in overtime. The pass defense has to tighten up a bit.”