The Detroit Lions are hitting some injury turbulence, while other teams are hitting their stride. Are the Lions still the best team in football?
Last week, we talked about how the Philadelphia Eagles were starting to creep up on the Detroit Lions in NFL power rankings. After Week 13, that noise is only louder. Detroit barely squeezed by the Chicago Bears—suffering at least four defensive injuries along the way—while the Eagles had their most impressive win of the season, dowing the Baltimore Ravens in their own home.
However, the Lions remain in the top spot in all of the power rankings we track. The Eagles, now, are the consensus second-best team in the NFL, with the Bills also in contention for that No. 2 spot. Let’s take a look at what NFL analysts are saying about Detroit. Unsurprisingly, injuries are a big theme this week.
MMQB:
Lions: 1 (Last week: 1)|
Eagles: 2
I feel like Dan Campbell is both the absolute best and worst coach to have when you accidentally post your team’s offensive code words on social media. On one hand, he’s saying that it doesn’t matter which is cool and it takes the heat off your back. On the other hand, you have one of the league’s most mysteriously scary coaches in the NFL. Center Frank Ragnow once told me that what’s weird about Campbell is that he’s always at the facility, he’s always jacked and no one has ever seen him work out. You don’t want that guy mad at you.
Yahoo Sports:
Lions: 1 (Last week: 1)
Eagles: 2
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.
The Athletic:
Lions: 1 (Last week: 1)
Eagles: 2
The Lions won their 10th straight game on Thursday, but they didn’t look unbeatable, scoring only once in the final 33 minutes and letting the Bears back into the game in the second half. Detroit still has to play the Packers, Bills, 49ers and Vikings, so it’s going to be tested, which might be good preparation for the playoffs. If this team loses early after all the expectations it has built up, Lions fans will be gutted.
USA Today:
Lions: 1 (Last week: 1)
Eagles: 2
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.
The Ringer:
Lions: 1 (Last week: 1)
Eagles: 3
The winning recipe for Detroit this season has been a dominant run game and stifling man coverage, and both units had their way with Chicago in the first half of their Thanksgiving matchup. But then Detroit relaxed in the second half and allowed the Bears to climb back into the game—an uncharacteristic occurrence for the Lions. I’m not sounding any alarms on the NFL’s best team, but the back end of its schedule is loaded—and Detroit can’t have any mental lapses if it wants to remain the top seed in the NFC.
Sporting News:
Lions: 1 (Last week: 1)
Eagles: 2
The Lions got a little sloppy with their banged-up defense in the second half against the Bears, but they still smashed enough with the running game to build a nice cushion. They have become very difficult to beat.
CBS Sports:
Lions: 1 (Last week: 1)
Eagles: 4
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.
The 33rd team:
Lions: 1 (Last week: 1)
Eagles: 4
The Detroit Lions were dominant against the Bears in the first half but allowed them to climb back into a game they had no business being in.
However, Detroit found a way to close out the game by sacking Caleb Williams out of field goal range. It wasn’t a perfect win, but the Lions took care of business in a tough NFC North battle.
Coming later:
NFL.com:
Lions:
Eagles:
From Eric Edholm:
