What a huge win for the Detroit Lions on Sunday. To go into a hostile environment and pull out a win over an undefeated opponent is not easy to do. Surely the Lions will be thought of highly after that right? Let’s see what the rankers are thinking this week.
ESPN: 2nd
Previous ranking: 3rd
“Branch was a proven playmaker as a rookie in 2023 with three interceptions as mainly a nickel cornerback. But in Year 2, Detroit’s coaching staff decided to switch the 23-year-old to safety to allow him more freedom to roam within their system. Branch is an early breakout star for the defense with four interceptions and 11 passes defended in five appearances this season. After the Lions’ victory Sunday, Branch said defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was putting him in “positions to make plays.” – Eric Woodyard
Sports Illustrated: 1st
Previous ranking: 2nd
“A new No. 1 in the Power Rankings this week, which I’m sure no fan base will have any problem with at all. I allowed the stats to break the tie in this one, and while the Chiefs are undefeated, the Lions have a far more efficient offense right now, they just beat one of two lone undefeated teams and are nearly identical to the Chiefs in terms of EPA per play allowed and opponent success rate. Plus, the Lions are racking up style points now and, just like the old NCAA bowl committee, I am attracted to shiny things (and I’m wildly corrupt).” -Connor Orr
The Athletic: 1st
Previous ranking: 3rd
“You could have argued before Sunday that the Lions had a weak resume. Then they beat the NFC’s only undefeated team. Detroit is averaging a league-best 40 points per game since Week 4. Jared Goff, who has thrown seven touchdown passes and no interceptions in his last three games, leads the NFL in passer rating (111.5).” -Josh Kendall
USA Today: 3rd
Previous ranking: 4th
“The very early leaders for home-field advantage in the NFC, they might actually be more dangerous on the road – where they’re undefeated with an average margin of victory of 15.7 points.” Nate Davis
Yahoo Sports: 2nd
Previous ranking: 4th
“Jared Goff’s past three games: completed 58 of 68 passes for 887 yards, seven TDs, no INTs and a staggering 153.1 passer rating. The two things we learned from the Lions’ win Sunday: Detroit is a bona fide Super Bowl contender and Goff is an MVP candidate. Jameson Williams’ potential two-game suspension doesn’t help but the Lions have the offensive depth to make up for it.” -Frank Schwab
CBS Sports: 2nd
Previous ranking: 4th
“They have a dynamic offense that will continue to roll up big numbers. They do need to find a replacement for the injured Aidan Hutchinson. Go get Maxx Crosby.” -Pete Prisco
Bleacher Report: 2nd
Previous ranking: 3rd
“Sunday’s meeting between the one-loss Detroit Lions and the undefeated Minnesota Vikings was arguably Week 7’s biggest game, and it didn’t disappoint. The back-and-forth, exciting affair went down the wire before culminating in a two-point Lions victory.” -NFL Staff
Sporting News: 2nd
Previous ranking 3rd
“The Lions looked sharp again offensively by spreading the ball around in a different way to keep Jared Goff hyper-efficient. They should be considered strong NFC favorites after knocking off Minnesota.” -Vinnie Iyer