After dropping from the top spot following a home loss to the Bills, the Lions have climbed back into the top two in this week’s NFL power rankings.
Detroit improved to a franchise-best 13-2 with a decisive 34-17 victory over the Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field. The win also boosted the Lions to 5-0 in NFC North play, keeping them in contention for the No. 1 seed and a second consecutive NFC North title, depending on how a few scenarios unfold in their favor.
Heading into Week 17, most NFL analysts have bumped the Lions up at least one spot in their rankings, with their position ranging from as low as No. 4 to as high as No. 2.
Here’s a look at where the Lions stand in this week’s power rankings as they prepare for an NFC title game rematch with the 49ers:
Last week: 3
This week: 2
“(Terrion) Arnold has been a pivotal player in Detroit’s first 13-win team with 52 total tackles and nine passes defended. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn says Arnold has “ice water in his veins” and has high expectations for him going forward. ‘We’re putting a lot of pressure on this player by the way that we play, but there’s no other way that he would want it,’ Glenn said Dec. 12. ‘So, I’m glad we’ve got him for the simple fact that he’s going to be one of the top corners in this league as his years progress.’”
Last week: 3
This week: 2
The Lions’ injured reserve list is ridiculous — Aidan Hutchinson, Alex Anzalone, Marcus Davenport, Carlton Davis III, Alim McNeill, Malcolm Rodriguez and Ennis Rakestraw Jr., and that’s not all of them. David Montgomery remains on the active roster, but he’s a long shot to return because of a knee injury. At least this week, though, it didn’t seem to bother them as they put 475 yards on the hapless Bears.
Last week: 4
This week: 3
“The Lions smashed their cold-weather narrative with Jared Goff, and their injury-riddled defense also rose to the occasion in Chicago. They flexed again as the NFC’s best team with the Eagles getting grinched.”
Last week: 3
This week: 2
“The first team in franchise history to win 13 games, they’re trying to pave the NFC pathway to the Super Bowl directly to Ford Field. Plenty of work yet to do on that front, even for a team that’s almost certainly the franchise’s best of the Super Bowl era (since 1966) – the Lions’ 493 points and 7-0 road record are club bests – much as that’s also indicative of their checkered-at-best history over that period. Regardless, give Dan Campbell and Co. credit for continuing to play at a high level no matter how many injuries and other obstacles they must navigate. Detroit is the only team this season with a 1,000-yard rusher with 10 TDs (Jahmyr Gibbs) and a 1,000-yard receiver with 10 TDs (Amon-Ra St. Brown).”
Pro Football Talk (NBC Sports)
Last week: 5
This week: 4
“They answered the bell against the Bears. It might all come down to Week 18 against the Vikings.”
Last week: 3
This week: no change
“A matchup between two 14-2 teams in the regular-season finale, with the winner getting the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the loser going on the road wild-card weekend with a 14-3 record, is still in play. Detroit faces the 49ers in Week 17, though that test looks easier with the current state of the 49ers.”
Last week: 4
This week: 3
“The injury-ravaged Lions had no problem getting past the Bears, 34-17, as Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes. Jameson Williams notched a career-high 143 receiving yards, including an 82-yard touchdown, and Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 109 yards and a touchdown without his backfield mate David Montgomery. The Lions set single-season franchise records for wins, road wins (seven) and points scored (493).”
Last week: 4
This week: 3
“The offense showed it can move the football in any type of weather in the blowout of the Bears. The undermanned defense gave up yards, but made stops when needed.”
Last week: 4
This week: 3
“Detroit rebounded from its loss to Buffalo nicely. This team is dealing with so many injuries but still might be the favorite in the NFC. The regular season finale against the Vikings could be huge.”
- BETTING: Check out our guide to the best Michigan sportsbooks, where our team of sports betting experts has reviewed the experience, payout speed, parlay options and quality of odds for multiple sportsbooks.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
