Final Power Rankings for 2021 Season

USA Today (27. Lions (31): They played .500 football following Thanksgiving, are suddenly the second-most stable organization in the NFC North and have three of the top 34 picks of 2022 draft, including No. 2 overall. How quickly things can (potentially) change in the NFL. Coaching at Senior Bowl provides good head start on next season.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/nate-davis/2022/01/12/nfl-power-rankings-playoffs-2021-packers-steelers-eagles/9183229002/

NFL.com (28. Lions (Previous rank: No. 29):  Forget the final score at Ford Field. The Packers won on Sunday because they got David Bakhtiari back. The All-Pro left tackle, sidelined since tearing his ACL in practice last New Year's Eve, made a surprise return to the lineup in what served as a postseason dress rehearsal. Bakhtiari was on the field for 27 snaps against the Lions; the team hopes he'll be able to play four quarters when the Packers reemerge in the Divisional Round. Rookie center Josh Myers (knee) also returned from an extended absence on Sunday, while right tackle Billy Turner (knee) could also return in two weeks. Better protection for Aaron Rodgers means bad news for the rest of the league.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-end-of-2021-nfl-regular-season

SI (28. Detroit Lions (3-13-1):  It’s cliché at this point to talk about how much credit Dan Campbell deserves for keeping his team invested through the early losses, and to admire the late-season wins. But everyone’s saying it because it’s true! We all saw it.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/01/11/mmqb-postseason-power-rankings-poll

CBS (29. Lions:  They have some good, young pieces to build around. And they have to like what they got from coach Dan Campbell this year.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-power-rankings-bengals-titans-make-largest-leaps-from-week-1-to-end-of-season-little-change-in-top-five/

Walter football (29. Detroit Lions NFL Power Rankings Detroit Lions (3-13-1) - Previously: 29.  The Lions blew a chance to have the No. 1 pick, but their selection at No. 2 will be one of Kayvon Thibodeaux, Aidan Hutchinson or Kenny Pickett. They're not in a bad spot, despite the unnecessary victory.):  https://walterfootball.com/nflpowerrankings.php

AP Pro32 (29. Lions):  https://pro32.ap.org/tribweb/poll

PFN (30. Detroit Lions:  The Lions were winning at halftime with Aaron Rodgers still playing football. Sure, the game didn’t mean a whole lot for Green Bay, but you never want to lose to an inferior divisional opponent, even when home-field advantage is locked up. Jared Goff and Detroit’s offense outpaced the Rodgers-led Packers in the first half.  The Lions are building something that’s not quantifiable right now. What is real was their 2021 NFL Draft. Ifeatu Melifonwu hasn’t consistently been in the lineup, but he’s flashed. Both rookie defensive linemen have played well, and Penei Sewell is already one of the best right tackles in the NFL. Amon-Ra St. Brown was always going to be a steal where Detroit got him, but they got him.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-power-rankings-wild-card-round-2022/

Yahoo (30. Detroit Lions (3-13-1, LW: 30):  You can view Week 18 as the Lions beating a Packers team that was disengaged and took Aaron Rodgers out at halftime. But the Lions did lead 17-13 at half and they did win. The successes add up going into the offseason.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-rankings-over-the-regular-season-the-packers-were-on-a-tier-by-themselves-154933840.html

PFT (30. Lions (3-13-1, No. 31): They’re far closer to contending than anyone realizes.):  https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/01/11/pfts-final-2021-nfl-power-rankings/

PFF (31. DETROIT LIONS (Highest-graded player: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (79.9)):  Detroit showcased stretches of inspiring football in 2021 and finished with the third-best against-the-spread record in the NFL. The quality covers didn’t result in them coming anywhere close to their five-game win total, but this appears to be a team heading in the right direction outside of the quarterback position. Their top-graded player was rookie wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who already looks like a hit from the fourth round. The offensive line is also their strongest unit from a facet-grade perspective, playing into the narrative that Dan Campbell is building a winner his way. This offseason is key to their rebuild, as they can only play the scrappy underdog role for so long.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-final-2021-nfl-power-rankings

Average Power Rankings (291/10):  29