Week 1 Power Rankings

Power Rankings:

Foxsports Rankings (10. Matthew Stafford showed a lot of progress this preseason in year two under offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, and he’s done so without Calvin Johnson and Joique Bell. If the addition of Haloti Ngata can help negate the losses of Suh and Nick Fairley, the Lions will be contenders again.):   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/power-rankings

NFL Power rankings, Week 1: Super Bowl participants top list again; Detroit Lions in top 10 (10. Detroit Lions (11-5) The offense is going to be better. Much better. But there are plenty of question marks defensively following the departure of Ndamukong Suh.):   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/post_15.html

Freep Power Rankings (11. Detroit Lions (11-5): Many downplay the team’s defense now that Suh is gone, and it’ll probably be weaker than last year. But I’m still a little bullish on the Lions. They might surprise people again.):   http://www.freep.com/picture-gallery/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/09/nfl-power-rankings-preseason/71946540/

ESPN Power Rankings (12. The Lions have reached the playoffs twice since drafting Matthew Stafford first overall in 2009. Not surprisingly, those were the two seasons the Detroit defense was significantly better than average in EPA (the team has had a losing record every other year with the QB.) Stafford has led the NFL in dropbacks over the past three seasons with 43.7 per game, but this could be a case of diminishing returns -- even with Calvin Johnson at 100 percent -- as the signal-caller has not proved he can carry such a load consistently. The issue now becomes whether the Lions will ask for even more from Stafford -- more than he can reasonably handle -- after losing DTNdamukong Suh in free agency. They think an improved running game will help Stafford in particular and the team overall. -- Mike Sando):   http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13525863/seahawks-patriots-packers-lead-espn-power-rankings

NFL.com's Power Rankings (12. Even Rotten Tomatoes would approve of Haloti Ngata getting back into the mix, especially with the Lions using him as a 3-technique (DT in a 4-3). On to other matters: I realize everyone's all hot dogs and apple pie about Ameer Abdullah(especially in fantasy leagues), but when exactly was he named the starter over Joique Bell?):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000524088/article/nfl-power-rankings-seattle-seahawks-begin-season-at-no-1

SI's Power Rankings (12. DETROIT LIONS - There is playoff-level talent, maybe more, to be found in the Motor City—at least one SI NFL mind (not this one) picked the Lions to not just make, but host the NFC title game. Will the schedule prove to be overwhelming? Detroit opens with three of four on the road (at San Diego, at Minnesota, Denver, at Seattle), then hosts Arizona. Finishing 2–3 would be acceptable. At 1–4 or 0–5, the Lions could be too far gone.):   http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/09/09/nfl-power-rankings-week-1-patriots-seahawks

Shutdown Corner's Power Rankings (14. Detroit Lions (LW: 14) - If I'm the Lions I'm finding out very early in the season exactly what I have with rookie running back Ameer Abdullah. If he's special, it brings that offense to a new level.):   http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-power-rankings--some-changes-after-a-crazy-preseason-150053421.html

NFP's SQ's Power Rankings (16. Detroit Lions:  The Lions have the biggest drop in ranking out of all 32 teams. Losing the big man in the middle in Suh definitely hurts Detroit. But, if Calvin Johnson can stay healthy and the dual threat of Bell and Abdullah can perform, then the sky’s the limit for the Lions.):  http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/the-sq-nfl-power-rankings-week-1/

PFT's Power Rankings (17. Lions (0-0): They can say they won’t miss Ndamukong Suh because what other choice do they have? With solid Packers and Vikings teams and a strong out-of-division schedule, the chances of two straight playoff berths aren’t great.):   http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/09/09/pfts-week-one-power-rankings/ 

 CBS Power Rankings (17. The loss of Ndamukong Suh will show up more than they expect. The offense should be really good and improved running the football.):   http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/25294486/nfl-power-rankings-youll-hate-this-list----unless-youre-a-cheesehead

SN's Power Rankings (Lions ranked 18):   http://www.sportingnews.com/list/4654687-nfl-week-1-power-rankings-2015-patriots-tom-brady-seahawks-packers-eagles-steelers/slide/353092 

USA Today Power Rankings (19. Detroit Lions - The offseason was fairly grim given the departure of defensive centerpiece Ndamukong Suh on the heels of the defense’s outstanding performance in 2014. Trending up? Maybe the addition of DT Haloti Ngata and return of MLB Stephen Tulloch can partially offset the loss of Suh. More importantly, WR Calvin Johnson is back to 100%, and rookie RB Ameer Abdullah seems capable of adding a jolt to an offense that must be far more productive than it was last year.):  http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/09/09/power-rankings-trending-up-down-seahawks/71849184/

Total Average Power Ranking (168/12):  14