Week 1 Power Rankings

Walter football (14. Detroit Lions NFL Power Rankings Detroit Lions (3-13-1) - Previously: 15.  I don't think I've said this since Matthew Stafford's early days in Detroit, but I believe the Lions can be a surprise playoff team this year. They're so stacked on offense. They have a terrific receiving corps, strong running game and a possible top-five offensive line. Jared Goff is kind of meh, but he has taken teams far into the playoffs in the past. Defensively, the Lions will get a boost to their pass rush with Aidan Hutchinson, as well as Jeff Okudah's return from injury. With their soft schedule, the Lions could get to 10 or 11 wins this year.):  https://walterfootball.com/nflpowerrankings.php

SN (23. Detroit Lions (24):  The Lions aren't just looking better because of starring in "Hard Knocks" and feeling Dan Campbell's old-school motivation. Their offense has no issue with blocking and weapons around Jared Goff and there should be natural better return on defense with Aidan Hutchinson now leading the charge..):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-power-rankings-49ers-steelers-vikings-cowboys-browns/ecwe2ihcwl4prjwdcx4l34ay

SI (23. Detroit Lions (Points in poll: 78, Highest-place vote: 18 (1 vote), Lowest-place vote: 26 (1 vote), Week 1 opponent: vs. Eagles):  Dan Campbell’s try-hard Lions, the darlings of Hard Knocks, have a chance to be one of the league’s feel-good stories this season.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/09/06/nfl-preason-power-rankings-bills-packers-rams

Freep (23. Detroit Lions):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2022/09/08/nfl-power-rankings-dave-birkett-week-1-2022/65556062007/

USA Today (23. Lions (21): We haven't finished "Hard Knocks" yet, but still wondering ... did Detroit ever give any indication it had a starting quarterback?):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/nate-davis/2022/09/08/nfl-power-rankings-2022-week-1-super-bowl-57-rams-bills/8016412001/

PFF (Stuck in Limbo - 24. DETROIT LIONS:  The rebuild project in Detroit still doesn’t have its quarterback of the future, but the rest of the roster is coming together very nicely, and Jared Goff has shown the capacity to be a better-than-average quarterback in the right environment. The Lions are still relying on the development and growth of young players that they added a year ago, but if things go as planned, Detroit could make more noise this season than people expect.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-ahead-of-the-2023-season

Yahoo (24. Detroit Lions (LW: 25):  The Lions gave us a good "Hard Knocks" show. What is clear already is Aidan Hutchinson, the second overall pick of the draft, has a chance to be really good. This should be a fun season in Detroit.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-rankings-patriots-offensive-struggles-are-concerning-will-they-linger-131558647.html

NFL (25.  Detroit Lions (Previous rank: No. 27):  How could you not root for "Rodrigo"? It's not uncommon in the history of Hard Knocks to see a camp underdog find his way onto the final 53-man roster as a deep reserve. It is uncommon to watch that kind of NFL Films underdog win a starting job outright. That appears to be a real possibility for Malcolm Rodriguez, the Oklahoma State linebacker whose gone from sixth-round afterthought to regular practice reps with Detroit's first-team defense. If Dan Campbell were to invent a Grit Machine, it would be Rodriguez -- nicknamed "Rodrigo" by his coach -- who would emerge from the fog of the laboratory; a high-motor, all-effort tackling machine who lives for the fight. The Lions will need big contributions in unexpected places to contend for a playoff spot -- Rodrigo could be one of those guys.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-week-1-eagles-lions-rising-heading-into-2022-season-cowboys-s

ESPN (26. Detroit Lions (Post-draft ranking: 30):  Who's on the hot seat: QB Jared Goff.  There's a big opportunity for Goff in Detroit, and the front office has faith that he can produce, which is why it didn't draft a quarterback with either of its two first-round picks in the 2022 draft. However, Goff has to show up to secure a long-term future with the Lions. He is currently in the last year of his fully guaranteed money, and Detroit has stronger targets around him, including wide receivers DJ Chark and Amon-Ra St. Brown, as well as a strong offensive line. -- Eric Woodyard):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34420327/nfl-power-rankings-2022-preseason-1-32-poll-hot-seat-watch-coaches-players

CBS (27. Lions:  Dan Campbell has this team heading in the right direction. They will beat some good teams this year, but watch out in 2023.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-1-power-rankings-bills-have-all-the-makings-of-a-super-bowl-champion-packers-among-top-competition/

Athlon Sports (27. Detroit Lions:  The darlings of "Hard Knocks" have gotten more than the Motor City fired up to watch Dan Campbell’s crew this season and rightfully so. Despite just three wins a year ago, this group fought hard pretty much every game in the second half of the year and has some young pieces to build around. No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson is already earning rave reviews and will be counted on to help deliver even more in big moments. Jared Goff’s future still seems nebulous at the moment but this will be the best offensive line and skill position group he’s had since taking the Rams to the Super Bowl.):  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/nfl-power-rankings

FTW (27.  Detroit Lions (Pre-preseason rank: 26):  The pieces are in place for a resurgence and this team will be better than it was in 2021. If Jared Goff can level his game back up to his early Rams numbers, Detroit can make a run to playoff contention. If not, the Lions will bide their time and ruin other team’s postseason hopes instead.):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-power-rankings-week-1-bills-rams-cowboys-patriots

Touchdown wire (27. Detroit Lions:  Head coach Dan Campbell has instilled an attitude with the Lions, but the talent is slowly catching up. Their spot in the power rankings could be the lowest they see all season as the Lions should steadily improve throughout the year.):  https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-power-rankings-bills-rams-week-1/

PFT (28. Lions: Can they climb the ladder? Absolutely. Will they? We’ll see.):  https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/09/06/pfts-week-one-2022-nfl-power-rankings/

PFN (28. Detroit Lions:  The Lions’ receiving corps is already much improved from a season ago, and they won’t get Jameson Williams back for quite some time after tearing his ACL in the National Championship Game. Detroit’s offensive line should be strong, and we should see a much stronger rushing attack than we did a season ago. Still, they don’t have the quarterback play to really compete in the NFC North.  Like the Giants, the Lions’ defensive front is strong, particularly on the edge with Aidan Hutchinson joining Charles Harris and Julian Okwara. Eventually, his older brother, Romeo, will return from his Achilles tear from Week 4 a season ago. Can Jeff Okudah become anything close to what we believed he could be as a Buckeye?):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-power-rankings-week-1-2022/

Average Power Ranking (369/15):  25