The Lions kept rolling in Week 12, scoring a 24-6 win over the Indianapolis Colts to move to 10-1 and extending their win streak to nine games. It’s Detroit’s best start since 1934. After taking the top spot in most media power rankings last week, let’s see if the Lions are closer to sweeping the list this week.
USA Today
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 2
What Nate Davis had to say: “In their 95-season existence, they’d never had double-digit wins in back-to-back years … until now. Currently the NFC’s top seed, the Lions are on their way to consecutive 12-win campaigns – an effort that should be made easier given they don’t play on the road again until Dec. 22.”
Pro Football Talk
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 1
What Mike Florio had to say: “They still have the Vikings and Packers hot on their heels, which should only keep them going.”
ESPN NFL Nation
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 1
What Eric Woodyard had to say: “The Lions’ FPI rankings reflect this team as arguably the best overall across the league. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has the offense humming with 20 or more points in nine consecutive games, while defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn hasn’t allowed a touchdown through 10 straight quarters despite losing Pro Bowl edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (tibia/fibula) in Week 6. Detroit has used a well-balanced team to get off to its best start in 90 years.”
NFL.com
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 1
What Eric Edholm had to say: “That’s now 10 straight quarters in which the Lions have not allowed a touchdown. The defense had a few shaky moments defending some deep passes against the Colts — and more accurate throws might have hit home. But overall, Detroit has proven doubters wrong by continuing its defensive success in spite of some key injuries. Offensively, the approach was death by a hundred butter knives. The David Montgomery–Jahmyr Gibbs duo remains the NFL’s best 1-2 RB punch, assuming Montgomery’s shoulder is OK, as he indicated is the case after the game. The Lions’ next three games are at Ford Field, where they’ve only played twice since September. The run starts with the Bears on Thanksgiving and a little mini-bye before a huge matchup with the Packers in Week 14. After that, a possible Super Bowl preview against the next team listed here … (the Buffalo Bills).”
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Yahoo Sports
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 1
What Frank Schwab had to say: “The Lions’ defense with Aidan Hutchinson: 5 games, 18.2 points allowed per game, 329.4 yards allowed per game. Without Hutchinson: 6 games, 15.3 points allowed per game, 316 yards allowed per game. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will be a hot name next offseason.”
CBS Sports
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 1
What Pete Prisco had to say: “They are a brutish, power team that can knock you off the ball and yet still hit shots off of that. The defense played well against the Colts.”
USA Today
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 2
What Nate Davis had to say: “In their 95-season existence, they’d never had double-digit wins in back-to-back years … until now. Currently the NFC’s top seed, the Lions are on their way to consecutive 12-win campaigns – an effort that should be made easier given they don’t play on the road again until Dec. 22.”
Pro Football Talk
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 1
What Mike Florio had to say: “They still have the Vikings and Packers hot on their heels, which should only keep them going.”
ESPN NFL Nation
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 1
What Eric Woodyard had to say: “The Lions’ FPI rankings reflect this team as arguably the best overall across the league. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has the offense humming with 20 or more points in nine consecutive games, while defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn hasn’t allowed a touchdown through 10 straight quarters despite losing Pro Bowl edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (tibia/fibula) in Week 6. Detroit has used a well-balanced team to get off to its best start in 90 years.”
NFL.com
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 1
What Eric Edholm had to say: “That’s now 10 straight quarters in which the Lions have not allowed a touchdown. The defense had a few shaky moments defending some deep passes against the Colts — and more accurate throws might have hit home. But overall, Detroit has proven doubters wrong by continuing its defensive success in spite of some key injuries. Offensively, the approach was death by a hundred butter knives. The David Montgomery–Jahmyr Gibbs duo remains the NFL’s best 1-2 RB punch, assuming Montgomery’s shoulder is OK, as he indicated is the case after the game. The Lions’ next three games are at Ford Field, where they’ve only played twice since September. The run starts with the Bears on Thanksgiving and a little mini-bye before a huge matchup with the Packers in Week 14. After that, a possible Super Bowl preview against the next team listed here … (the Buffalo Bills).”
”
Yahoo Sports
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 1
What Frank Schwab had to say: “The Lions’ defense with Aidan Hutchinson: 5 games, 18.2 points allowed per game, 329.4 yards allowed per game. Without Hutchinson: 6 games, 15.3 points allowed per game, 316 yards allowed per game. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will be a hot name next offseason.”
CBS Sports
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 1
What Pete Prisco had to say: “They are a brutish, power team that can knock you off the ball and yet still hit shots off of that. The defense played well against the Colts.”