The Lions are coming off their bye in Week 5. The Chiefs and Vikings remained undefeated, moving to 5-0 with wins over the Saints and Jets, respectively. With the Lions being off, where do they sit in the latest power rankings? Let’s take a look.
USA Today
Current rank: 4
Last week’s rank: 4
What Nate Davis had to say: “Hope you fellas got your rest during the bye. Next up? A brutal five-stretch with road games at Dallas, Minnesota, Green Bay and Houston. However it’s opponents who need a break from NFL sack leader Aidan Hutchinson, who applied 10 pressures in his last outing – most by anyone in a game this season.”
Pro Football Talk
Current rank: 2
Last week’s rank: 2
What Mike Florio had to say: “Hopefully, Dan Skipper spent the bye week practicing his reporting-as-eligible technique; a return to Dallas is on deck.”
ESPN NFL Nation
Current rank: 4
Last week’s rank: 4
What Eric Woodyard had to say: “After a slow start to his NFL career, stalled by an ACL injury and a gambling suspension, the No. 12 pick in 2022 is experiencing a breakout season. Through four games, Williams leads the Lions in receiving yards (289) and yards per catch (22.2) and is tied for the lead in receiving touchdowns (two). He’s on pace for his first 1,000-yard season, as the Lions are using him as a big-play option next to All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. ‘He’s matured and he’s worked and he’s grinded and he wants it,’ coach Dan Campbell said.”
NFL.com
Current rank: 3
Last week’s rank: 3
What Eric Edholm had to say: “The Lions could be 4-0, having let the Bucs game slip through their fingers before this past week’s bye. That said, this year so far has played out similarly to 2023, when they tripped up against Seattle early but mostly held serve until the Ravens walloped them. Detroit could face some tough moments in this upcoming stretch of four road games in five weeks — all of them tough challenges, too. But the good news is that the offense seems to be rounding into form, even while surely having left several points on the field in the first four games. The defense? Get back to me on that one. I won’t overlook the work the unit put in during Weeks 1 through 3, keeping the Lions in those games while the offense treaded water, but in Detroit’s most recent tilt, Seattle’s Geno Smith and Kenneth Walker III diced up Aaron Glenn’s unit. There are enough reasons to feel encouraged about the Lions going on another run, but also just enough trap doors not to get too, too comfy..”
Yahoo Sports
Current rank: 4
Last week’s rank: 4
What Frank Schwab had to say: “The Lions can’t get caught looking ahead. They have what has become a massive game at Minnesota in Week 7, but first is a trip to Dallas. Losing that would put a ton of pressure on them to beat the Vikings a week later.”
CBS Sports
Current rank: 4
Last week’s rank: 5
What Pete Prisco had to say: “They come off their bye with a big road game at Dallas against the Cowboys. Here’s hoping they worked on their secondary play since they needed it.”