The Detroit Lions (6-4) dropped a tough game to the Eagles in Week 11. On the road, in primetime, against the defending Super Bowl Champions, makes for difficult circumstances, but the Lions have shown they can overcome in the past. While the Lions’ defense was terrific in Philadelphia, their offense was stuck in the mud and failed to build any momentum to push them to victory.
Following the loss, the Lions drop from first in the NFC North down to third, and from third in the NFC playoff race to eighth, one spot outside the postseason dance. That said, there are still seven games left in the season, and all playoff prediction models still have the Lions headed to the postseason, with most projecting them as the favorites to win the NFC North.
Most power rankers are reactive, and all of them dropped the Lions down in this week’s rankings. However, none moved the Lions out of the top 10, suggesting they also align with the view that the Lions are still a team expected to challenge over the back half of the season.
Let’s take a look at how things shook out in this week’s power rankings.
The Ringer: 7 (Previous rank: 4)
This team is still one big leap away from the elite.
I can’t imagine how frustrating Sunday night’s loss must have been for Lions fans. While Detroit’s defense didn’t force sacks or turnovers against Philadelphia, it dominated the Eagles offense on third down, kept Philly’s passing game reined in, and gave Jared Goff and the offense several chances to win the game.
If this were truly a championship-quality team, Detroit’s offense would’ve been able to do enough to squeeze out a win. Instead, Goff looked rattled and as inaccurate as we’ve seen him in years—and that’s not something head coach Dan Campbell can change by taking over play calling duties.
Yahoo Sports: 7 (Previous rank: 6)
The Lions’ loss on Sunday night brought up the old story of Jared Goff struggling outdoors when the weather isn’t perfect, and it’s hard to deny that his stats plummet in the elements. And Sunday’s loss means a No. 1 seed and home-field advantage through the playoffs is unlikely.
NFL.com: 8 (Previous rank: 5)
The Lions have come up short in some of their biggest matchups of the season. And outside of Ford Field, they’re not performing to the level we’ve become accustomed to seeing, already suffering their third road loss — the same number as they had in the past two regular seasons combined — in Philadelphia on Sunday night. Interestingly, they still have a better playoff probability than the Bears, per Next Gen Stats, even as Detroit finds itself in third place in a tough division. This was a major setback for the offense, as Jared Goff had one of his worst games in recent memory, and the Lions were terrible on third (3 for 13) and fourth (0 for 5) downs. There’s no shame in losing to the defending champs, but the Lions talked as if this was a must-win game, and yet it felt every bit as frustrating offensively as the Week 1 defeat in Green Bay. Detroit’s defense stepped up, but the offense followed arguably its best game of the season with one of its worst.
The Athletic: 8 (Previous rank: 5)
A suggestion: Deep breaths
It turns out that Dan Campbell with a play-call sheet in his hands is even more aggressive than regular Dan Campbell. In his second game calling plays for the Lions, the head coach went for it five times on fourth down. Detroit converted none. NFL teams have attempted at least five fourth downs in 145 games this century. Only one other time has the team failed to convert any of those attempts: the Lions against the Patriots in 2022 (0-for-6). Their head coach? Yep, Dan Campbell.
Sports Illustrated: 8 (Previous rank: 5)
While this is more of an Eagles defensive stat, I suppose, Sunday was the first time a quarterback averaged 70% or better in completion rate and went on to log fewer than 40% completion rate. That’s utter demolition (plus really crappy northeast weather).
ESPN: 8 (Previous rank: 6)
From ESPN Staff, excerpt from Eric Woodyard:
Who’s under the most pressure: Offensive coordinator John Morton
Morton was stripped of his playcalling duties after a Week 9 loss to the Vikings, and he might have to fight to secure a long-term role with the Lions. In 2024, Detroit led the NFL with 33.2 points per game under former OC Ben Johnson, and Morton was given the tall order of following the current Bears coach. Morton has said he’s “fully supportive” of the Campbell’s decision and would be ready if he’s needed to call plays again. But things not initially working in that area could be costly for his future.
CBS Sports: 10 (Previous rank: 7)
The offense didn’t do enough in the loss to the Eagles. At 6-4, they have to get it going. One more thing: It’s OK to kick field goals once in a while.
Sporting News: 10 (Previous rank: 7)
The Lions’ offense got cooled down in a tough road environment again by the wind and Eagles’ pass rush getting to Jared Goff. Their defense, however, was an encouraging development in defeat.
USA Today: 10 (Previous rank: 9)
They’ve alternated wins and losses over the past six games, their inconsistency currently leaving them outside of the NFC playoff field. But it’s time to go on a tear at Ford Field for a team that doesn’t play on the road again until Dec. 14.
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