The Detroit Lions regular season is over and it’s on to the playoffs. We just have one more stop with the power ranking roundups. This is the final power ranking of the season, so let’s do something a little special. Instead of noting this weeks ranking and then last weeks ranking below it, we’ll do this weeks ranking and the ranking the outlet gave the Lions right before the season started. Let’s jump into it.
NFL: 5th
Original ranking: 11th
“Dan Campbell wanted momentum heading into the playoffs, and darn it, that was what his team got. Sunday’s win over the Vikings wasn’t the prettiest thing the Lions have done in a season when they tied a franchise record for victories, but Detroit had solid showings and game-changing plays in all three phases. That said, there’s always the fear of a key player getting hurt in Week 18, like the Chargers’ Mike Williams did last season, and we’ll have to see if the mid-game injuries suffered by TE Sam LaPorta and WR-PR Kalif Raymond are serious or not. Both have played big roles for the Lions, especially LaPorta, who set rookie tight end marks for receiving, while Raymond has returned every punt this season for Detroit. Either way, the Lions should celebrate their first playoff game since the 2016 postseason and their first home postseason game in three decades. If Ford Field isn’t buzzing with absolutely nuclear-grade energy before kickoff, I’ll be stunned.” -Eric Edholm
The Athletic: 4th
Original ranking: 15th
“What happened to the Lions on Sunday is the reason the Ravens and 49ers rested their frontline players. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta, who was fifth among tight ends this season with 889 receiving yards, suffered a hyperextended knee and bone bruise. His timeline for return hasn’t been determined, but he could miss their playoff opener. That could be a problem for a team that leans heavily on the league’s fifth-most prolific offense (27.12 ppg).” -Josh Kendall
Yahoo Sports: 5th
Original ranking: 7th
“It’s not just the Sam LaPorta injury, which obviously isn’t great for the Lions’ offense if he can’t play this week. Detroit’s defense is an issue, too. The Lions have given up 300 yards passing in three straight games, twice to Nick Mullens and the Vikings. That’s not great with Matthew Stafford and the Rams coming in for a wild-card game.” – Frank Schwab
Sports Illustrated: 3rd
Original ranking: 9th
“This profile of Dan Campbell contains a quote that I cannot get out of my head, and one that only dads will truly understand. Former teammate Tiki Barber said: “It was always like he was mad, but he wasn’t.”
The Sporting News: 7th (Playoff power ranking)
Original ranking: 7th
“The Lions aren’t just happy to be back in the playoffs as division champions after a 30-year drought. They want to roar loudly and be a factor in the NFC tournament. They can win offensively with Jared Goff’s passing or a lot of running from their talented RBs. They also shut down the run and can rush the passer. However, shaky pass coverage can be a major Achilles’ heel against the loaded offenses in the playoffs.” -Vinnie Iyer
Pro Football Network: 5th
Original ranking: 14th
“The Lions’ first-round playoff game against the Rams is the stuff dreams are made of. Matthew Stafford returns to Detroit, while Jared Goff faces the team and the head coach that traded him and promptly won a Super Bowl — what more could you ask for?” -Dallas Robinson
CBS Sports: 6th
Original ranking: 15th
“Losing Sam LaPorta for any time will impact the offense. The return of Matt Stafford to Detroit this week will be great theater.” -Pete Prisco