Week 6 Power Rankings

USA Today (3. Lions (5): For all the focus on rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, it's veteran RB David Montgomery who's fueled a ground game with more rushes than any team in the league save two. Sunday, Montgomery became the first Detroit rusher to top 100 yards in consecutive games since … Kevin Jones in 2004.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/nate-davis/2023/10/10/nfl-power-rankings-cowboys-patriots-eagles-49ers-week-6/71126087007/

FTW (4.  Detroit Lions - Last week’s rank: 6.  Welcome to the MVP discussion, Jared Goff. His 104.4 passer rating ranks sixth in the NFL, and his 0.178 expected points added (EPA) per play rank seventh. That’s not enough to unseat Tua Tagovailoa or, deep breath, Brock Purdy as the favorite to win the award, but Goff has worked his way into the picture. Not bad for a guy who was locked in a QB battle with John Wolford a few years ago. — CD):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-power-rankings-week-6-lions-49ers-eagles

SI (4. Detroit Lions (4–1) - Last week: win vs. Carolina, 42–24.  Next week: at Tampa Bay.  With this kind of emphatic drubbing, the Lions have firmly planted themselves within a small circle of NFL teams capable of winning the Super Bowl. While this isn’t a bold statement, it is kind of an acknowledgement of a sample size. Their weapon set is deep and only getting better. Defensively, the amount of schematic work it took for the Panthers to finally log their first touchdown a few minutes into the second quarter was exhausting. The Lions can get on you fast, and can also keep you pinned on the ground.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/10/10/week-5-power-rankings-49ers-obvious-choice

Athlon sports (4. Detroit Lions (4-1)

Lions QB Jared Goff - Last week: No. 8.  Jared Goff and the Lions have come out of the gate swinging since their Week 2 loss to Seattle. Over the past three weeks, Detroit has outscored opponents 68-16 in the first half.):  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/week-6-power-rankings-nfl-49ers-eagles-cowboys

Athletic (The Athletic - Rank: 4.  “Second-round tight end Sam LaPorta is one of the best rookies in the league and a big reason the Lions are fourth in the league in scoring (29.6). LaPorta leads all tight ends with 25 catches for 289 yards. Throw in the fact that running back Jahmyr Gibbs has shown flashes and second-round safety Brian Branch might be a star, and Detroit is in the running for the best draft of 2023, not to mention the third-best team in the NFC.”):  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2023/10/nfl-week-6-power-rankings-lions-viewed-as-one-of-the-leagues-elite-teams.html

Peter King (5. Detroit (4-1). Nothing fluky about the Lions, who’ve won by 14, 14 and 18 the last three weeks. What I like a lot about Detroit is the defense (293 yards allowed, 3.3 yards per rush allowed), which will keep the Lions in every game.):  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/fmia/news/fmia-week-5-49ers-vs-cowboys-brock-purdy-mvp-nfl-rankings-dick-butkus-peter-king 

Fox sports Brooks (5. Detroit Lions - Record: 4-1; Last Week: 7.  Dan Campbell has built a bully in Motown that no one wants to face down the stretch. The Lions can beat opponents up at the line of scrimmage on each side of the ball but also possess the offensive firepower to light up the scoreboard if they need to engage in a shootout. With their confidence and swagger growing with each win, the Lions are inching toward contender status in the NFC.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-top-10-rankings-49ers-no-1

SN (5. Detroit Lions 4-1 (6):  The Lions have proved they are for real several times over, starting with their season-opening win at Kansas City. They dominate up front offensively with the running game, for which the Panthers were not a match. Their young defense is making the needed big plays when outcomes are in doubt, tol.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-power-rankings-49ers-eagles-steelers-cowboys-patriots/7bc5e8935ad518ab9ae39651

CBS (5. Lions:  They face a tough road game against Tampa against the Buccaneers this week. This team is for real at 4-1 under Dan Campbell.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-6-power-rankings-patriots-bill-belichick-should-be-fired-as-gm-surging-lions-crack-top-5/

ESPN (5. Detroit Lions (4-1) - Week 5 ranking: 8. NFantasy surprise: WR Josh Reynolds.  Reynolds has quietly been one of the steadiest offensive weapons for the Lions, with the second most receiving yards (291) and third-most targets (24) through the first five games. He also has three receiving touchdowns, and the connection with Lions QB Jared Goff dates back to their early years of playing together for the Rams. More notable names like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs -- and even Goff -- were top fantasy picks for Detroit entering the year, but Reynolds has certainly started strong. -- Eric Woodyard):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38616694/nfl-week-6-power-rankings-poll-2023-plus-fantasy-surprises

Touchdown wire (5. Detroit Lions:  The Lions look dangerous. Their offense is one of the most explosive in the NFL, and their defense is holding up its end of the bargain, as well. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is going to be handed a lot of blank checks this offseason from teams who want him to be their head coach.):  https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-power-rankings-week-6/

PFT (5. Lions (4-1, No. 8): They know how to win the games they should, which is one of the key ingredients to being great.):  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/pfts-week-6-2023-nfl-power-rankings

NFL.com (5.  Detroit Lions:  The Lions dropped 42 on the Panthers without Amon-Ra St. Brown or Jahmyr Gibbs (and others), which only enhances what they've accomplished through Week 5. Even though it came against winless Carolina, this victory shouldn't be overlooked. Good teams take care of business against lesser teams. Doing so convincingly despite the absence of key contributors on both sides of the ball is the hallmark of a great team. It's OK to say it aloud. The Lions are now in that category. They've won 12 of 15 games back to 2022, triumphing at Arrowhead and Lambeau this season and becoming the clear-cut NFC North faves. Even with defensive injuries mounting -- poor Emmanuel Moseley is the latest, having suffered a second torn ACL in as many years -- the Lions have a great chance to end a 32-year playoff-win drought.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-week-6-2023-nfl-season

Freep (5. Detroit Lions (4-1)):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2023/10/10/nfl-power-rankings-detroit-lions-crack-top-5-after-impressive-win-nfc-north-favorites/71128452007/

PFN Miller (6.  Detroit Lions (9):  Aidan Hutchinson always should have been the top pick in his draft class, and he’s proving it more and more as each week flies by. His interception of Bryce Young was magnificent, and he’s been one of the league’s best pass rushers so far in 2023. The Lions defense appears to have turned the corner from last season, and while the offense hasn’t been quite as impressive as last year, it is still one of the most efficient units in the NFL.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-6-nfl-power-rankings-dalton-miller-2023/

Yahoo (6. Detroit Lions (4-1, LW: 7) - The Lions have entered the tier of teams that can be without offensive standouts like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs and it doesn't matter. Also, we're soon going to have to talk about Aidan Hutchinson as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-rankings-panthers-might-have-really-screwed-up-trading-up-for-bryce-young-130010203.html

PFN (6. Detroit Lions - Week 5 Ranking: 7.  So many teams fail to deliver on offseason hype that it’s good to highlight when a club actually delivers on that publicity.  The Lions’ offense has picked up right where it left off last season, but the club’s defensive improvement has made the most significant difference in Detroit. While Aaron Glenn’s unit was consistently gashed in 2022, they’ve looked much more sound, limited splash plays, and generated plenty of pressure this year.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-6-pfn-nfl-power-rankings-2023/

Walter football (7.  Detroit Lions (4-1) – Previously: 8.  The Lions would be 5-0 right now if they didn’t suffer those eight injuries versus the Seahawks in Week 2. As someone who bet the Lions to win the Super Bowl, I’ll take a 4-1 start, but I was disappointed with Jameson Williams’ debut. Amon-Ra St. Brown will also be needed against real competition.):  https://walterfootball.com/nflpowerrankings.php

Fox sports (7. Detroit Lions: 4-1 (+2):  I think it means something that the Lions were able to thrash an overmatched opponent. I'm not trying to be mean, but Detroit just isn't a team that's used to being a 10-point favorite. I think it matters that the Lions had the poise and maturity to get up for a bad opponent and never give them a chance.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2023-nfl-power-rankings

PFF (7. Detroit Lions):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-6-power-rankings

Average Power Ranking (103/20):  5