Several NFL power ranking analysts wrote the Detroit Lions off after a difficult Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers. But after the Lions smashed the Chicago Bears 52-21 in Week 2—dispelling many of the national narratives created during the offseason—most of those analysts had to walk back their initial judgments when putting out their latest rankings.
Let’s take a look at where the Lions land in the NFL’s Week 3 power rankings.
Sports Illustrated: 5 (Previous rank: 12)
The Lions came back from a down Week 1 to log the most efficient afternoon in team history. A stunning 8.8 yards per play have drastically cleared the skepticism around Ben Johnson’s replacement, John Morton. While we live in a week-to-week world held prisoner by the moment, understanding that Morton can completely undress a team run by Johnson himself—and that Lions players are rallying relentlessly around Morton—means a great deal.
Yahoo Sports: 5 (Previous rank: 5)
Maybe, just maybe, the Lions’ struggles were due more to the Packers than their own issues. Detroit looked great Sunday. They’ll be fine. Week 1’s result just said way more about the Packers, and that is still something the Lions have to contend with.
ESPN: 5 (Previous rank: 8)
From ESPN Staff, excerpt from Eric Woodyard:
It goes without saying that the Lions struggled at Green Bay, but Week 2 reminded the world that Goff and the Lions can still be dominant. Goff became the first quarterback in Lions history with an 80% completion percentage and five passing touchdowns in a game, while also passing Bobby Layne (118) for the second-most passing touchdowns in franchise history. If he receives solid protection from an offensive line that’s still adjusting to new players, there shouldn’t be a drop-off for Goff in his 10th NFL season.
The Ringer: 6 (Previous rank: 7)
I imagine the mood at Detroit’s press conferences will be a lot less tense this week after a 31-point bludgeoning of Chicago—a game in which the Lions both beat a division rival and stuck it to their former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson in the process. Quarterback Jared Goff was back to his machine-like efficiency, the run game had its juice again, and on defense, the pass rush affected Caleb Williams in a way it couldn’t against Jordan Love a week ago.
It’s still too early to sort out whether Detroit belongs among the NFL’s elite, but one thing is for sure: It’s still one of the few teams in the league that can run opponents off the field on any given Sunday
NFL.com: 6 (Previous rank: 8)
The Lions appeared to act as if Ben Johnson was a traitor who must be dealt with accordingly, and he certainly took a beating from his former team, watching the monstrous offense he helped build crush Chicago’s defense on Sunday. On six straight possessions between the second and fourth quarters, the Lions scored — five of them touchdowns. Whatever angst there was over the poor offensive showing in Green Bay, those worries are quelled for now. They scored 52 points. One of the best developments was that both Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams were highly active, involved and dangerous. The run game cooked early and allowed their big-play threats to go to work. Great job by John Morton after a week of facing criticism for the state of his offense.
The Athletic: 6 (Previous rank: 14)
We were all a little worried when the Lions scored 13 points in Week 1 without Johnson coordinating the offense, but Detroit made a statement by putting 511 yards and 52 points on Johnson’s new team, the Chicago Bears. Jared Goff had five passing touchdowns and a passer rating of 156, his second highest as a Lion. It’s the fifth time a Goff-quarterbacked team has topped 50 points.
Sporting News: 8 (Previous rank: 10)
The Lions let all their offensive frustration out on Ben Johnson and the Bears, back in the friendly confines of Ford Field. The running game was working again as the two lead backs helped unlock Jared Goff and the downfield passing game. The league’s most symbiotic offense got back on track in Week 2 but have a tough draw against Baltimore in Week 3.
USA Today: 10 (Previous rank: 14)
Ben who? During Sunday’s 52-point outburst against their former OC, the Lions averaged a team-record 8.8 yards per play under new coordinator John Morton.
CBS Sports: 12 (Previous rank: 11)
The Lions offense we saw against the Bears is the one we saw last year. Jared Goff was outstanding. Ben who?
[Editor’s note: Pete. What are you doing here?]
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