Monday, September 11, 2023

Week 2 Power Rankings

SN (4. Detroit Lions (9):  The Lions' defensive additions, rookie and otherwise, have paid off, and Dan Campbell's run-oriented offense is dangerous and deep to support Jared Goff behind a great line. They are for real, and might be the only chance to stop either the 49ers or Eagles in the NFC.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-power-rankings-49ers-cowboys-packers-steelers/07ac92a00c6ea0e775790108

FTW (4.  Detroit Lions - Preseason rank: 10.  It wasn’t the prettiest — and it hinged on a few timely drops from the Chiefs — but Detroit escaped Arrowhead Stadium with a win. The hype train has picked up speed as it slices back to Michigan, as Aidan Hutchinson’s pass rushing and Jared Goff’s ongoing revival are just two things Lions fans can be excited about. Could the franchise’s first playoff win since the first George Bush presidency be on the horizon? — CD):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-power-rankings-week-2-cowboys-49ers-lions


USA Today (5. Lions (11): Yes, they caught K.C. a bit short-handed. But credit Detroit for surrendering just 316 yards – a level 2022's league-worst defense kept opponents under just three times. DE Aidan Hutchinson is headed for stardom and propelling this group along the way.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/nate-davis/2023/09/12/nfl-power-rankings-aaron-rodgers-injury-jets-week-2/70829640007/

Fox sports Brooks (6. Detroit Lions:  Dan Campbell's old-school approach has made the Lions the team no one wants to face on NFL weekends. As a team with the capacity to control the trenches on each side of the line, the Lions specialize in beating up their foes with their physicality and toughness.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/bucky-brooks-nfl-top-10-49ers-cowboys-separate-themselves-from-the-pack

SI (6. Detroit Lions (1–0) - Last week: win at Kansas City, 21–20.  Signature win for Dan Campbell and the Lions, who still managed to keep a lot of their cards close to the vest. That might be the scariest thing about their narrow victory over the defending Super Bowl champions: Jahmyr Gibbs was a few steps away from multiple grand slams and then he’d get taken out of the game. The toughness of the secondary stood out to me as well. While it’s a Kelce-less Mahomes, it’s still a game against Mahomes nonetheless. And Detroit had him spinning.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/09/12/week-1-power-rankings-49ers-cowboys-top-two#gid=ci02c925fce00024cc&pid=7-miami-dolphins-10


NFL.com (6.  Detroit Lions:  Dan Campbell probably couldn’t have scripted his team’s road triumph over the Chiefs any better than it turned out. The Lions sent a big message to the rest of the league. Campbell’s “I didn’t learn anything” comment after the game might feel like a trope, but this team had me believing. Did the offense sputter a bit more than I expected against a Chris Jones-less Chiefs defense? It did. Am I worried? Not particularly, especially if Jahmyr Gibbs’ role is expanded a bit more. And how about that rookie class? With Gibbs and Sam LaPorta on offense and Jack Campbell and Brian Branch on defense, those first four picks look terrific so far. This roster oozes young, exciting talent.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-week-2-2023-nfl-season

Fox sports Herd (6. Detroit Lions (Last week: Unranked) - Overall record: 1-0 | Last week: Lions won 21-20 @ Kansas City Chiefs.  Colin's thoughts: "[The Lions are] 9-2 over their last 11 games. It's a good football team with a great offensive line. Jared Goff has 359 straight passes without an interception, the third-longest in league history. They held Patrick Mahomes to a 54% completion percentage. They've got a real pass rush."):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/herd-hierarchy-49ers-dolphins-climb-the-ladder-after-dominant-week-1-outings

PFN Miller (7. Detroit Lions:  The NFL fan darlings of Detroit made one of the PFN game pickers look like a genius. It took many a missed opportunity from Chiefs receivers to get to 1-0. The Lions offense didn’t necessarily move the ball the way one might have expected against a Chris Jones-less Chiefs defense.  A few aggressive coaching decisions also played a part in the Lions’ close win against Kansas City. But the Lions are also clearly ready to try their hand at competing for an NFC North title in 2023, which would be their first since joining the division.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-2-nfl-power-rankings-2023/

Yahoo (7. Detroit Lions (1-0, LW: 7):  The Lions are going to be at their best if they let their offensive line push around the opponent in the run game. That's what happened on a key fourth-quarter drive that led to their huge win at the Chiefs in the opener. It also covers up the Lions' biggest issue, which is quality receiver depth after Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Lions should feel great after Week 1, but still with some things to work on.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-rankings-cowboys-looked-great-vs-giants-but-are-they-super-bowl-great-035318928.html

ESPN (7. Detroit Lions (1-0) - Preseason ranking: 10.  Best debut performance: DB Brian Branch.  Week 1 stats: 3 tackles, 1 pass defensed, INT, TD.  Branch recognized that NFL game speed was faster than college football, but the former Alabama star looked comfortable against the Chiefs. He returned an interception for a 50-yard touchdown against one of the best offenses in the league. "It definitely gives me a boost for my confidence," Branch said during Monday's practice. "But each week is going to be a challenging week, and we've just got to keep on preparing how we did against Kansas City and just for every week moving forward, we've got to do the same thing." -- Eric Woodyard):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38339295/nfl-week-2-power-rankings-poll-2023-best-debut-performance-every-team

Walter football (8.  Detroit Lions (1-0) – Previously: 8.  The Lions are now 9-2 in their previous 11 regular-season games. They had a nice victory in Kansas City. David Montgomery and the offensive line played well, but the real MVP for them was Kadarius Toney, who came up huge in the clutch with some key drops.):  https://walterfootball.com/nflpowerrankings.php

PFT (8. Lions (1-0, No. 14): Honolulu blue is the new black.):  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/pfts-week-2-2023-nfl-power-rankings

PFN (8. Detroit Lions - Week 1 Ranking: 13.  It might not be an exaggeration to say the Lions’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night was among the biggest wins in franchise history. Detroit doesn’t exactly have a history of playoff success, so knocking off the defending Super Bowl champions on the NFL’s opening night was massive for the organization as a whole.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-2-nfl-power-rankings-2023-2/

Fox sports Helman (9. Detroit Lions:  "This ain’t the same Detroit" is the fun rallying cry, and maybe they’re right. We’ll see just how good the Lions are, but it’s a mighty impressive first impression to knock off the defending champs at their place. An ugly, gritty win, but it signals that the Lions do in fact belong firmly in the NFC playoff discussion.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2023-nfl-power-rankings

Touchdown wire (10. Detroit Lions - Last Week: 14.  *Glass shatters*.  Baw God, that’s Dan Campbell. If you’re ready for the Detroit Lions to be a real playoff contender, give me a hell yeah. And no, there is no “asterisk” on this win. Every team has something to overcome at any given time. The Lions went into Arrowhead and came away with a win. Now smack two beers together and pour them down your throat in the spirit victory. Whiskey for my men, beer for my Lions.):  https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-power-rankings-week-2/

CBS (10.  Lions:  Winning at Kansas City is a big-boy moment for this young team. That sends a message to the league that the hype might be real.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-2-power-rankings-49ers-new-no-1-while-bills-plummet-nine-spots-but-dont-overreact-to-a-wild-start/


Average Power Ranking (134/19):  7
Posted by LionsFan at 10:06 AM

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