The Lions put on a defensive clinic Sunday night in their 31-9 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Detroit finished the regular season 15-2 and earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the first time in franchise history. The Lions now get the coveted first-round bye and enter the playoffs as the betting favorite to win Super Bowl LIX.
As the playoffs begin, let’s see how the Lions rank across the media power polls and if they’re getting closer to getting back to No. 1.
Pro Football Talk
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 4
What Mike Florio had to say: “They have the inside track to the first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.”
NFL.com
Current rank: 2
Last week’s rank: 3
What Eric Edholm had to say: “If there was one thing that could’ve boosted this team to even greater heights in Week 18, it was what the injury-riddled defense accomplished against Minnesota: turning in a lights-out performance against a hot opponent when few outside the team facility imagined it possible. Aaron Glenn was perhaps the least hyped of the four play-callers in Sunday night’s battle, and yet Detroit’s defensive coordinator might have come up with the best game plan of them all, absolutely stopping the Vikings in their tracks. The return of linebacker Alex Anzalone was a huge help, and defensive back Amik Robertson stepped up with a monster game against Justin Jefferson. The red-zone execution was fantastic. And despite only getting two sacks, the Lions’ pressure against Sam Darnold was relentless (40% pressure rate, per NGS). The reward is a week’s worth of rest as the NFC’s No. 1 seed — and boy, this team probably needed it. The Lions have been running in the red for weeks now. Time to recharge and reload in Detroit. “
Yahoo Sports
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 4
What Frank Schwab had to say: “The tape of the Lions holding the Vikings to 9 points should be Aaron Glenn’s entire case for any team wanting to interview him for a head coaching job. That was a master class. The resurgence of Detroit’s defense, finishing the sweep of a team that went 14-1 against everyone else, gets the Lions the top spot back.
CBS Sports
Current rank: 3
Last week’s rank: 3
What Pete Prisco had to say: “What they did to the Vikings serves notice to the rest of the NFC that they are the team to beat. The defense stepped up, which is a good thing for the playoffs.”
The Athletic
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 4
What Josh Kendall had to say: “Every football coach has said the phrase, “Next man up,” roughly one million times. It’s the sport’s reflex response to injuries, as in, “We don’t make excuses around here, the backup will come in and play just fine.” But the Lions’ rash of injuries this year could show the ultimate fallacy of that argument. This team has done everything right but has 16 players on injured reserve heading into the playoffs. Making matters worse, starting cornerback Terrion Arnold left Sunday night’s game in a walking boot.”
Pro Football Talk
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 4
What Mike Florio had to say: “They have the inside track to the first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.”
NFL.com
Current rank: 2
Last week’s rank: 3
What Eric Edholm had to say: “If there was one thing that could’ve boosted this team to even greater heights in Week 18, it was what the injury-riddled defense accomplished against Minnesota: turning in a lights-out performance against a hot opponent when few outside the team facility imagined it possible. Aaron Glenn was perhaps the least hyped of the four play-callers in Sunday night’s battle, and yet Detroit’s defensive coordinator might have come up with the best game plan of them all, absolutely stopping the Vikings in their tracks. The return of linebacker Alex Anzalone was a huge help, and defensive back Amik Robertson stepped up with a monster game against Justin Jefferson. The red-zone execution was fantastic. And despite only getting two sacks, the Lions’ pressure against Sam Darnold was relentless (40% pressure rate, per NGS). The reward is a week’s worth of rest as the NFC’s No. 1 seed — and boy, this team probably needed it. The Lions have been running in the red for weeks now. Time to recharge and reload in Detroit. “
Yahoo Sports
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 4
What Frank Schwab had to say: “The tape of the Lions holding the Vikings to 9 points should be Aaron Glenn’s entire case for any team wanting to interview him for a head coaching job. That was a master class. The resurgence of Detroit’s defense, finishing the sweep of a team that went 14-1 against everyone else, gets the Lions the top spot back.
CBS Sports
Current rank: 3
Last week’s rank: 3
What Pete Prisco had to say: “What they did to the Vikings serves notice to the rest of the NFC that they are the team to beat. The defense stepped up, which is a good thing for the playoffs.”
The Athletic
Current rank: 1
Last week’s rank: 4
What Josh Kendall had to say: “Every football coach has said the phrase, “Next man up,” roughly one million times. It’s the sport’s reflex response to injuries, as in, “We don’t make excuses around here, the backup will come in and play just fine.” But the Lions’ rash of injuries this year could show the ultimate fallacy of that argument. This team has done everything right but has 16 players on injured reserve heading into the playoffs. Making matters worse, starting cornerback Terrion Arnold left Sunday night’s game in a walking boot.”