Where the Lions sit in NFL power rankings entering Week 14

Current rank: 1

Last week’s rank: 1

What Nate Davis had to say: “Now 11-1 for the first time in club history after snapping a seven-game Thanksgiving skid, they’ll take aim at their first-ever 11-game winning streak this Thursday night. Two massive games ahead with the Packers and Bills coming to Ford Field and threatening Detroit’s very precarious perch atop the NFC standings … though hopefully they won’t discourage more pass attempts from 335-pound RT Penei Sewell, who was sacked during his only opportunity on Turkey Day.”

Current rank: 1

Last week’s rank: 1

What Mike Florio had to say: “The injuries are piling up. Will it derail their Super Bowl run?”

Current rank: 1

Last week’s rank: 1

What Eric Woodyard had to say: “In his third season, (safety Kerby) Joseph has sparkled on a Lions defense that has displayed spurts of dominance. Detroit’s D at one point went 12 straight quarters without surrendering a touchdown, and Joseph has played a key role in its success with 56 tackles and 10 passes defended. He also had his first career pick-six in Week 9 at Lambeau Field, one of his league-lead-tying seven interceptions.”

ESPN’s writers were tasked with picking a player from their team that can be a first-time Pro Bowl selection. In Detroit’s case, the pick was safety Kerby Joseph.

Current rank: 1

Last week’s rank: 1

What Eric Edholm had to say: “Thanks to some luck and curious clock management by the opposition, Detroit survived Thursday’s nail-biter, running its winning streak to 10 games. There’s little time to exhale, with the Packers and Bills coming to Ford Field over the next two weeks. The Lions have been the best team in football to this point, but if there’s something that could knock them off this perch, it’s bad luck in the health department. Some early departures on Thanksgiving underscored how beat up they are defensively: Levi Onwuzurike left with a hamstring injury and Josh Paschal left with a knee injury, while Malcolm Rodriguez suffered an ACL tear that landed him injured reserve, where he’ll join key pieces Alex Anzalone and Aidan Hutchinson. Other Lions were banged up, as well. It’s no shock that general manager Brad Holmes would jump into action, signing Kwon Alexander and adding Jamal Adams to the practice squad. The Lions have four linebackers on IR. It’s getting a little worrisome, even as the team continues to succeed.”

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Current rank: 1

Last week’s rank: 1

What Frank Schwab had to say: “The Lions are taking on some injuries, particularly at linebacker and on the defensive line. Those injuries make Thursday night’s matchup vs. a very good Packers offense more challenging.”

Current rank: 1

Last week’s rank: 1

What Pete Prisco had to say: “The injuries on defense are starting to add up. That can be a problem down the stretch and this week against the Packers. They’ve lost a lot of good players.”

Current rank: 1

Last week’s rank: 1

What Nate Davis had to say: “Now 11-1 for the first time in club history after snapping a seven-game Thanksgiving skid, they’ll take aim at their first-ever 11-game winning streak this Thursday night. Two massive games ahead with the Packers and Bills coming to Ford Field and threatening Detroit’s very precarious perch atop the NFC standings … though hopefully they won’t discourage more pass attempts from 335-pound RT Penei Sewell, who was sacked during his only opportunity on Turkey Day.”

Current rank: 1

Last week’s rank: 1

What Mike Florio had to say: “The injuries are piling up. Will it derail their Super Bowl run?”

Current rank: 1

Last week’s rank: 1

What Eric Woodyard had to say: “In his third season, (safety Kerby) Joseph has sparkled on a Lions defense that has displayed spurts of dominance. Detroit’s D at one point went 12 straight quarters without surrendering a touchdown, and Joseph has played a key role in its success with 56 tackles and 10 passes defended. He also had his first career pick-six in Week 9 at Lambeau Field, one of his league-lead-tying seven interceptions.”

ESPN’s writers were tasked with picking a player from their team that can be a first-time Pro Bowl selection. In Detroit’s case, the pick was safety Kerby Joseph.

Current rank: 1

Last week’s rank: 1

What Eric Edholm had to say: “Thanks to some luck and curious clock management by the opposition, Detroit survived Thursday’s nail-biter, running its winning streak to 10 games. There’s little time to exhale, with the Packers and Bills coming to Ford Field over the next two weeks. The Lions have been the best team in football to this point, but if there’s something that could knock them off this perch, it’s bad luck in the health department. Some early departures on Thanksgiving underscored how beat up they are defensively: Levi Onwuzurike left with a hamstring injury and Josh Paschal left with a knee injury, while Malcolm Rodriguez suffered an ACL tear that landed him injured reserve, where he’ll join key pieces Alex Anzalone and Aidan Hutchinson. Other Lions were banged up, as well. It’s no shock that general manager Brad Holmes would jump into action, signing Kwon Alexander and adding Jamal Adams to the practice squad. The Lions have four linebackers on IR. It’s getting a little worrisome, even as the team continues to succeed.”

”

Current rank: 1

Last week’s rank: 1

What Frank Schwab had to say: “The Lions are taking on some injuries, particularly at linebacker and on the defensive line. Those injuries make Thursday night’s matchup vs. a very good Packers offense more challenging.”

Current rank: 1

Last week’s rank: 1

What Pete Prisco had to say: “The injuries on defense are starting to add up. That can be a problem down the stretch and this week against the Packers. They’ve lost a lot of good players.”