We’re now a month into the 2-25 NFL season, and teams are starting to settle in and show you who they really are. With a handful of previously unbeaten teams losing this week, there are now just two undefeated in the NFL: the Eagles and the Bills. No surprise, both sit at the top of every power ranking this week.
But who’s the third team in the NFL? Well, according to most experts, it’s the Detroit Lions.
For the two power rankers that don’t have the Lions as the third-best team, they both rank the Lions fifth, sliding the Rams and Packers in front of Detroit. Let’s take a look at how things shook out in this week’s power rankings.
The Ringer: 3 (Previous rank: 3)
This is the same team it’s been for the last three seasons—an indomitable force.
Vultures were circling after the Lions’ Week 1 loss to Green Bay, but now that we’re a month into the season, it’s clear that reports of Detroit’s demise were premature. In reality, the Lions have been nearly as efficient offensively as they’ve been since 2022. Jared Goff isn’t taking many sacks and he has done an excellent job at keeping this offense on schedule. And despite playing against several quality defenses, Detroit is the highest-scoring offense in the league through four games, and is one of the three best teams in the league right now.
NFL.com: 3 (Previous rank: 3)
Detroit was not prolific offensively against Cleveland, but no one has been this season. Still, this is the second time in four games where the Lions have been kept somewhat grounded on offense, even if they’ve taken good care of the football. Committing five offensive penalties was out of character, and Detroit’s still trying to hone the connection between Jared Goff and Jameson Williams. The Lions have enough options and weapons to win a contest such as Sunday’s, and the defense and special teams did enough to step up in a game that was 20-10 entering the fourth quarter. Some tough opponents await prior to the Week 8 bye, and though there’s no panic, Dan Campbell’s group still has a few screws to tighten up.
Sports Illustrated: 3 (Previous rank: 3)
Since I know you spent Sunday’s Lions-Browns game waiting for Quidshon Judkins and Jahmyr Gibbs fantasy updates, here’s the real entertainment: Penei Sewell—the best offensive lineman in the NFL right now—against Myles Garrett. This is an epic throwdown well worth the four minutes it takes to watch.
ESPN: 3 (Previous rank: 3)
From ESPN Staff, excerpt from Eric Woodyard:
Biggest issue on offense: Getting WR Jameson Williams more involved
Williams has proved to be Detroit’s top deep threat, but the connection with Lions quarterback Jared Goff wasn’t there against Cleveland. Williams was targeted by Goff eight times but caught only two passes. In Week 3 against Baltimore, he was targeted just three times for two catches. Although Williams doesn’t need a lot of receptions to be effective, Goff would like to see their connection improve. “I’ve got no reservations with him at all,” Goff said Sunday. “He’s as good as they get in our league. He can score from anywhere, and going to keep believing in him no matter what.”
Yahoo Sports: 3 (Previous rank: 5)
Every year we see a Week 1 result that looks baffling by the end of the season. Was this season’s weird result the Lions’ blowout loss at Green Bay? The Lions look like the better team since then. The Nov. 27 rematch will be very interesting.
The Athletic: 3 (Previous rank: 5)
Rookie spotlight: Tate Ratledge
The mulleted second-round offensive tackle has started all four games and has been one of the best rookie offensive linemen in the league. He also has a sweet John Wayne tattoo that takes up most of the upper part of his left arm. Third-round wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa has two catches this season, both of which have been one-handed showstoppers. He also just signed a marketing deal with Ford, which earns him bonus points.
CBS Sports: 3 (Previous rank: 6)
The offense wasn’t as good against the Browns, but the defense came up big. That’s the sign of a good team. They can win in a bunch of ways.
USA Today: 5 (Previous rank: 6)
Going back to his injury-aborted 2024 season, DE Aidan Hutchinson has 11½ sacks in his past nine games. He had 11½ over 17 games during the 2023 season.
Sporting News: 5 (Previous rank: 7)
The Lions got confidence on the road by ripping the Ravens and kept up that balanced, explosive momentum at home with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs. The defense and special teams coming alive to burn the Browns was good to see.
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