Monday, September 25, 2023

Week 4 Power Rankings

SN (6. Detroit Lions 2-1 (8):  The Lions' defense made a statement in Week 1 at Kansas City before crashing vs. Seattle in Week 2. Aidan Hutchinson and friends rose to the occasion in ripping the one-dimensional Falcons and making it a simpler outing for Jared Goff.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-power-rankings-chiefs-dolphins-bills-49ers/3efe5f78fcc9423f9368559f

USA Today (6. Lions (9): How scary could this defense get? It's posted seven sacks twice in the past five games, something Detroit hadn't done previously since 2014. But might have to temper expectations in Week 4, given the Lions are already playing their second Thursday night game and against infrequently bagged Pack QB Jordan Love (3 sacks taken).):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/nate-davis/2023/09/26/nfl-power-rankings-cowboys-dolphins-bengals-eagles-chiefs-week-4/70967424007/

Touchdown wire (7. Detroit Lions:  The Fighting Knee Nibblers are back on track sit at 2-1 after three weeks, looking like a complete team in the process. Alsso, how about their draft picks? Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta, Brian Branch- all of them can ball.):  https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-power-rankings-week-4-dolphins-rise-cowboys-fall/

Yahoo (7. Detroit Lions (2-1, LW: 8):  Sam LaPorta is the real deal. He has an 18-186-1 line through three games, which is excellent for a rookie tight end. When the Lions traded T.J. Hockenson, it seemed weird. Hockenson is playing very well with the Vikings and his value was shown when he signed the largest deal for a tight end in NFL history. But it turns out the Lions got a good replacement and for the next few years will pay LaPorta a fraction of what Hockenson makes. That's smart business.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-rankings-a-dolphins-win-at-buffalo-on-sunday-would-legitimize-their-hype-130030556.html

FTW (7.  Detroit Lions - Last week’s rank: 8.  How much should we take from Sunday’s defensive effort in a 20-6 win over the Falcons? Sure, the Detroit pass rush remained fierce, but Desmond Ridder’s ball placement and general waywardness does sorta put a damper on things. On the other hand, the Lions completely crushed what had been a gashing rushing attack and exposed the flaws in Arthur Smith’s grand design, so … pretty good. — CD):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-power-rankings-week-4-dolphins-49ers-bills

NFL.com (7.  Detroit Lions:  I have a feeling the defense we saw getting worked over by Seattle in Week 2 is not going to be the unit we see for most of the season. The performance Aaron Glenn's unit put forth in Week 3 against Atlanta is more like it. Though the Falcons don't yet have a dominant offense, they pose unique challenges for many defenses. Atlanta tried attacking DBs Jerry Jacobs and Brian Branch after their Week 2 coverage challenges, but both stepped up and played well. In the Lions' first outing without C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Branch had a whale of a game; he could be one of this defense's most important players soon.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-week-4-2023-nfl-season


PFN (7. Detroit Lions - Week 3 Ranking: 9.  It’s becoming increasingly impossible to run on the Lions’ defense. The Falcons commit to their rushing attack more than any team in the NFL, and even they could only post 44 yards on the ground against Detroit. The Lions have allowed 216 rushing yards in 2023, the fifth-fewest in the NFL.  This is the same defense that gave up 623 rushing yards over the final three games of the 2022 campaign, including a 320-yard effort from the Panthers. Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn deserves a good deal of credit and a healthy round of head-coaching interviews in the offseason.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-4-pfn-nfl-power-rankings-2023/

Athlonsports (8. Detroit Lions (2-1) - Lions QB Jared Goff.  Last week: No. 10.  Bouncing back from a tough loss is always positive. What's better? Allowing six points to the Falcons in Week 3 after giving up 37 to Seattle last Sunday.):  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/nfl-week-4-power-rankings-dolphins-eagles-surge-cowboys-fall

Fox sports Brooks (8. Detroit Lions - Record: 2-1; Last Week: 9.  Dan Campbell has his team believing in a gritty approach that sometimes produces ugly games. Despite their lack of sexiness, the Lions are 2-1, displaying the versatility needed to win consistently in a week-to-week league. With the defense stealing the spotlight in Week 3, the Lions are evolving into a legitimate contender in the NFC.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-top-10-rankings-49ers-hold-top-spot-dolphins-chiefs-rise-cowboys-tumble

ESPN (8. Detroit Lions (2-1) - Week 3 ranking: 8.  Offensive efficiency: 42.7 (15th).  Biggest issue on offense: Rushing efficiency. BThe Lions' offense is off to yet another strong start, scoring 20 or more points in 12 straight games dating back to last season. However, the ground attack could be more efficient. Yes, the Lions are averaging the 11th-most rushing yards per game (111.7) through Week 3, but it has taken them a lot of carries with just 3.6 yards per rush attempt (ranked 25th in NFL). Veteran David Montgomery (thigh) was sidelined for Sunday's victory over the Atlanta Falcons, while rookie Jahmyr Gibbs is still trying to find a groove. "He'll only get better with time, and with reps he just will," Lions coach Dan Campbell said of Gibbs. -- Eric Woodyard):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38491717/nfl-week-4-power-rankings-poll-2023-plus-biggest-issues-offense

PFT (8. Lions (2-1, No. 11): Fortunately for Jared Goff, he’s not paid for his leaping ability.):  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/pfts-week-4-2023-nfl-power-rankings

SI (8. Detroit Lions (2–1) - Last week: win vs. Atlanta, 20–6.  Jared Goff’s throw to Amon-Ra St. Brown before the half was a thing of beauty, and emblematic of the fact that he’s a legitimate top-10 passer in this league. The Lions’ pass rush came alive against a shaky and, surprisingly, not overschemed Desmond Ridder. While Goff’s fourth quarter interception was costly, Dan Campbell could finally lean on a situation where his defense could provide the counter punch.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/09/26/week-3-power-rankings-dolphins-top-spot#gid=ci02ca4fc09000245d&pid=8-detroit-lions-21

Walter football (9.  Detroit Lions (2-1) – Previously: 10.  Apparently, injuries don’t matter. The Lions were down three starting defensive backs and two offensive linemen, and there was question about Amon-Ra St. Brown’s health. Despite this, the Lions beat the Falcons, outgaining them by nearly 200 yards.):  https://walterfootball.com/nflpowerrankings.php

PFN Miller (9. Detroit Lions (11):  Jahmry Gibbs’ explosiveness is perverse. He absolutely explodes at the first and second levels with the ball in his hands. He will be a fantastic piece for the Lions down the stretch, particularly once David Montgomery returns, and they can maximize that explosiveness with a lighter workload.  Meanwhile, only four players were targeted on a pass for the Lions today. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught nine passes, while Sam LaPorta caught eight, Kalif Raymond caught four, and Gibbs caught one.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-4-nfl-power-rankings-dalton-miller-2023/

Fox sports (9. Detroit Lions (+1):  The Lions took a lot of flak for their draft decisions, but those critics seem awfully quiet now. Forget about Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell for a second; unsung rookies Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch might’ve been the best players on the field during Detroit’s domination of the Falcons.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2023-nfl-power-rankings

CBS (10.  Lions:  That was a nice bounce-back victory against the Falcons. The defense came up big in that game in dominating the day.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-4-power-rankings-red-hot-dolphins-crack-top-5-while-other-contenders-fall-after-stunning-upsets/

Fox sports Herd (10. Detroit Lions (Last Week: Unranked) - Overall Record: 2-1 | Last Week: Lions won 20-6 vs. Atlanta Falcons.  Cowherd's thoughts: "They needed to get better on defense and they did. I don't think they're a Super Bowl team, but I like the front office, the last three drafts, and their free agent acquisitions. They just keep getting better, step by step." ):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/herd-hierarchy-dolphins-remain-first-chiefs-ascend-lions-make-return


Average Power Ranking (151/19):  8
Posted by LionsFan at 11:05 AM

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