After dominating the Broncos, the Detroit Lions rise in the polls.
Power ranking: 3rd
Previous rank: 5th
The Detroit Lions returned to form with a comfortable win over the Denver Broncos at Ford Field. It will be difficult to defeat Dan Campbell’s team if the Lions can put together performances like they did in Week 15. In a 42-17 triumph, both sides of the football field performed admirable.
In addition, Detroit’s roster will be reinforced by the return of many key defensive players, including C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who will begin practicing this week. By the time the playoffs begin, James Houston and Alim McNeill will also be back.
Power ranking: 3rd
Previous rank: 5th
After dropping two of three games into Week 15, there were whispers that the Lions weren’t a top-tier team after all. Sure, they were the best team in their division, but they didn’t appear like a club capable of competing with the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers. The Lions looked like a club that could beat anyone Saturday night against a Broncos team that had won six of seven.
There wasn’t much that the Lions didn’t excel at Saturday night. After eight turnovers in his previous four games, Detroit quarterback Jared Goff threw five touchdown passes without a turnover. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for 185 rushing yards. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta found the end zone three times. The Lions defense allowed just 75 yards in the first half and 287 overall.
Power ranking: 7th
Previous rank: 8th
It’s not surprising that the rookie tight end is talented, but this talented? LaPorta had three touchdown catches on Saturday night, giving him nine for the season, the fourth-most in the league. LaPorta, the 34th overall pick in the 2023 draft, already has 758 receiving yards, the sixth most by a rookie tight end in league history. If he maintains his current pace, he will finish third behind only Mike Ditka and Kyle Pitts.
Power ranking: 4th
Previous rank: 7th
On Saturday, the Lions got back on track at home, with their dominant running attack tearing through a feeble Broncos defense. That returning development also energized the defense and resettled Jared Goff at home to play well. They may now relax about their playoff vulnerability as the soon-to-be new division champions.
Related: Lions Are 3.5-Point Favorite against Vikings
Power ranking: 8th
Previous rank: 8th
If the Seahawks lose on Monday night, the Lions will have secured the NFC North and their first playoff berth since 2016. With three weeks remaining, Detroit leads Minnesota by three games. Although the Lions and Vikings will meet twice more before the end of the season, Dan Campbell’s team would have to collapse in order to lose the division crown.
Power ranking: 6th
Previous rank: 6th
Ben Johnson, the Lions’ offensive coordinator, might be a possibility for head coach this offseason, as he has the offense in fantastic shape after 14 games. It makes natural that Detroit would attack with five receivers 70.5% of the time under Johnson’s playcalling. The Lions have had strong play from receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kalif Raymond, Josh Reynolds, Jameson Williams, and Donovan Peoples-Jones, as well as running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, and tight ends Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright. The Lions are third in offensive points per game, thanks in large part to their offensive ingenuity.
Power ranking: 8th
Previous rank: 8th
The win over the Broncos had a lot of positive news, but the best news could have been Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combining for 185 rushing yards on 6.6 yards per attempt. The Broncos don’t have a good run defense, but seeing the Lions’ running backs get going again would be a positive sign.
Power ranking: 8th
Previous rank: 7th
One more win or Vikings loss – the Lions can make both those things happen in Minnesota on Sunday – means the NFC North flag will fly in Motown for the first time ever. Too bad the game’s not in prime time, where Detroit has won five in a row.
