The Detroit Lions (5-2) are heading into their bye week with a lot of positive vibes after beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2) on “Monday Night Football.” The Bucs held the best record in the NFC entering this game, but the Lions found yet another way to win, this time behind a defense that was playing with nearly all backups in their secondary.
For several of this week’s power rankers, the Lions proved them right for not dropping them too far following their Week 6 loss to the Chiefs in Kansas City, while other rankers felt like they did their rankings on Sunday, and just inserted their blurb without changing anything. Overall, the Lions are comfortably in the top 5—save one publication—and even top the list for a few confident analysts.
Let’s take a look at how things shook out in this week’s power rankings.
NFL.com: 1 (Previous rank: 2)
Detroit’s undermanned secondary stepped up in a massive way in Monday’s statement victory over Tampa Bay. The home team entered the night alarmingly shorthanded in the defensive backfield, and then Rock Ya-Sin had to miss some snaps with cramps. The Lions knew Baker Mayfield would keep coming, but they kept answering the bell. Despite dominating play in the first half, Detroit only led 14-3 at the break, having left a ton of points on the field with two turnovers, a turnover on downs and a missed field goal. Jared Goff’s pick before halftime helped gift the Buccaneers points, but the Lions’ offense responded with a touchdown on its first drive of the third quarter and the defense played incredibly well all night, especially considering the circumstances. The Lions might have taken the Chiefs’ best punch in Week 6, but they took out their frustrations on a good Bucs team that they might see again in January.
ESPN: 1 (Previous rank: 2)
From ESPN Staff, excerpt from Eric Woodyard:
Unsung nonstarter/role player: WR Isaac TeSlaa
The rookie has received limited snaps playing behind wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond, but TeSlaa has produced some highlight-reel plays when given opportunities. A native of Hudsonville, Michigan, he has logged only three receptions for 54 yards, though two of those receptions were TDs. The first was a spectacular one-handed grab in the season opener at Green Bay. His second career catch was another one-hander from quarterback Jared Goff against Chicago in Week 2. During the preseason, TeSlaa also logged three receiving touchdowns and is emerging as a fan favorite
The Athletic: 1 (Previous rank: 6)
Reality check: They can beat you multiple ways
The job Dan Campbell has done after losing both his offensive and defensive coordinators this offseason is awfully impressive. The defense dominated the Bucs on Monday night. Offensively, the Lions leaned on the running game as Jahmyr Gibbs took 17 carries for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Campbell’s Lions haven’t lost back-to-back games since October 2022.
The Ringer: 2 (Previous rank: 2)
Dan Campbell is my Coach of the Year through seven games.
Since head coach Dan Campbell got things rolling in Detroit a couple years ago, I can count on one hand the times that the Lions wilted in big moments. The Lions show up every week as the same team, and they physically dominate just about every opponent. For this injured Lions defense to shut down a hot Bucs offense speaks to how well prepared this team is—and how even the team’s backup defensive backs know how to play the Lions’ imposing physical style. Had the Lions not experienced so much heartbreak over the years, I’d be all in on this Detroit team. And if it keeps winning, I might jump back on the bandwagon anyway.
Yahoo Sports: 2 (Previous rank: 2)
Jahmyr Gibbs takes the Lions’ offense to another level. He had 218 yards on in a stress-free win over a Buccaneers team that had just one loss before Monday night. Having a player who can break a touchdown from anywhere on the field is a rare and special asset.
Sports Illustrated: 4 (Previous rank: 5)
From Will Laws (in for Conor Orr):
Without question, the most impressive part of Detroit’s decisive victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the strength of this patchwork secondary. This apparently wasn’t just an Aaron Glenn thing, this is a Brad Holmes/Dan Campbell thing. The Lions could field a contending defense with the remnants of the Amazon Prime analyst desk.
CBS Sports: 4 (Previous rank: 5)
What they did Monday night to the Buccaneers offense with a makeshift secondary was truly impressive. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is special.
USA Today: 5 (Previous rank: 11)
Did you know they’ve gone 51 games, a league high, without successive losses − an impressive run dating to the 2022 season?
Sporting News: 7 (Previous rank: 7)
The Lions picked up the pieces quicly [sic] after their second loss vs. the Chiefs tough defense, which felt much like the Week 1 setback in Green Bay. They enjoyed being back at home in Ford Field with Jahmyr Gibbs and the defense taking over vs. Tampa Bay.
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