Monday, December 18, 2023

Week 16 Power Rankings

FTW (3.  Detroit Lions - Last week’s rank: 6.  After a bizarre midseason slump, the Lions returned to their roots. Meaning, they pounded the absolute hell out of Russell Wilson and an overinflated Broncos team. The manner in which Detroit did it — a smash-and-dash running game with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and an active and energetic pass rush — inspires a lot of confidence. And to play like this under a national spotlight felt like a statement Dan Campbell’s group might be back at full throttle. That’s awful news for the other NFC superpowers. — RZ):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-power-rankings-week-16-browns-bills-lions

Fox sports Brooks (4. Detroit Lions - Record: 10-4; Last Week: 7.  Jared Goff & Co. bounced back with a spectacular performance against the Broncos that silenced the naysayers doubting the quarterback's game. The veteran completed 24 of 34 passes for 278 yards with five touchdowns in a dazzling pitch-and-catch exhibition at Ford Field. As Goff tossed the ball to eight different receivers on an assortment of short and intermediate throws, he showcased the Lions' balance and diversity as an offensive juggernaut with Super Bowl potential.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-top-10-rankings-49ers-hold-top-spot-ravens-lions-climb-cowboys-slide

SI (4. Detroit Lions (10–4):  Third-and-6, with about 13:50 left in the second quarter of a 0–0 game. Sam LaPorta comes off the line and absolute buries Baron Browning, then recovers his footing, looks up and catches a football being thrown at his chest. If Dan Campbell didn’t find his spitting image in the draft, I don’t know what else to make of LaPorta, who has been so phenomenal this year. A mold-breaking tight end who is only getting better.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/12/19/nfl-power-rankings-eagles-out-of-top-five-after-third-straight-loss#gid=ci02d13e47300024b6&pid=4nbspdetroit-lions-104

SN (4. Detroit Lions 10-4 (7):  The Lions got back on track at home on Saturday with the elite running game plowing through a porous Broncos un defense. That returning development also resettled Jared Goff at home to play well and inspired the defense. They can now feel better about their playoff dangerous status as soon-to-be new division champions.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-power-rankings-cowboys-steelers-49ers-ravens/66f4c29212e33d281cca7c5e

Athlon sports (5. Detroit Lions (10-4) - Last week: No. 9.  Six words or less: Defensive leaders returning at perfect time):  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/week-16-power-rankings-cowboys-bills-chiefs-ravens-eagles

CBS (5. Lions:  They snapped out of their two-game funk by beating up on the Broncos. They can clinch the division by beating Minnesota this week.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-16-power-rankings-no-ones-beating-the-49ers-right-now-eagles-and-cowboys-fall-out-of-the-top-5/

ESPN (6. Detroit Lions (10-4) - Week 15 ranking: 6.  We're No. 1 ... in percentage of plays with five receivers in pass routes.  Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could be a head-coaching candidates this offseason as he has the Lions' offense in a great spot through 14 games. Under Johnson's playcalling, it makes sense that Detroit would attack with five receivers 70.5% of the time. The Lions have seen big production from receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kalif Raymond, Josh Reynolds, Jameson Williams and Donovan Peoples-Jones while even lining up running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery and tight ends Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright for pass routes at points. The Lions average the third-most offensive points per game, and a big part of that stems from the creativity on offense. -- Eric Woodyard):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/NFLpowerranking121923/nfl-week-16-power-rankings-poll-2023-plus-every-team-first-at


Fox sports Herd (6. Detroit Lions (Last Week: 10) - Cowherd's thoughts: "I like their physicality up front with their offensive line. Probably not a team I would trust going on the road in the playoffs but if they win their division, they get a home game — 9-1 this year when they can hold teams to 28 or fewer."):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/herd-hierarchy-week-16-49ers-keep-no-1-spot-cowboys-take-tumble

Touchdown wire (7. Detroit Lions:  Last Week: 8.  Is there a team better coming off a loss than the Lions? This is the second time this season they have just dismantled an AFC West team after a bad loss. This Detroit team can beat anyone when they are at their best.):  https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-power-rankings-brock-purdy-josh-allen-lamar-jackson/

NFL.com (7.  Detroit Lions:  This was the get-right game the Lions needed, and even though it was a slog early on against the Broncos, it was also poetic. It required the defense, which had taken its share of lumps in recent games, to hold its water early as the offense was getting preheated in the first quarter. But even as the defense softened a bit in the second half, Jared Goff and Sam LaPorta got it going with the first of three TD connections and Jahmyr Gibbs showed just how he can be when he gets in a groove. It was a stunning display of offensive prowess when that unit had been waning in recent games, especially coming against a Denver defense that was among the league’s better units in recent weeks. Now the Lions are tantalizingly close to the postseason bid they narrowly missed out on last year. Their issues might not be magically cured, but they’re a lot less concerning now.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-week-16-2023-nfl-season

PFN Miller (8. Detroit Lions:  The Lions can clinch their first playoff berth since 2016 if the Seahawks lose on Monday night, and they’ve all but locked up the NFC North. Detroit has a three-game lead on Minnesota with three weeks to play. Although the Lions and Vikings will play twice to close the year, Dan Campbell’s club would have to collapse not to secure the division title.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-16-nfl-power-rankings-2023/

Yahoo (8. Detroit Lions (10-4, LW: 8):  There was a lot of good news in the win over the Broncos, but the best news might have been Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combining for 185 rushing yards on 6.6 yards per attempt. The Broncos don't have a good run defense, but the Lions getting their running backs going again would be a great sign.):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-rankings-remember-no-team-pursued-franchise-tagged-lamar-jackson-120013557.html

USA Today (8. Detroit Lions (7): One more win or Vikings loss – the Lions can make both those things happen in Minnesota on Sunday – means the NFC North flag will fly in Motown for the first time ever. Too bad the game's not in prime time, where Detroit has won five in a row.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/nate-davis/2023/12/19/nfl-power-rankings-eagles-cowboys-seahawks-week-16/71968286007/

PFT (8. Lions (10-4, No. 8): Can they keep playing like they did on Saturday night?):  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/pfts-week-16-2023-nfl-power-rankings

Fox sports (8. Detroit Lions (10-4) +3:  The Lions are a walking reminder not to forget about the offensive line. All five of their guys up front were together and healthy on Saturday night, and you saw the result. Now comes the news that DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is working his way back. Go figure, a week after I said they're in trouble, things are looking up in Detroit.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2023-nfl-power-rankings

PFN (8. Detroit Lions:  The Lions can clinch their first playoff berth since 2016 if the Seahawks lose on Monday night, and they’ve all but locked up the NFC North. Detroit has a three-game lead on Minnesota with three weeks to play. Although the Lions and Vikings will play twice to close the year, Dan Campbell’s club would have to collapse not to secure the division title.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-16-nfl-power-rankings-2023/


Walter football (10. Detroit Lions (10-4) – Previously: 12.  The Lions received great news that Chauncey Gardner-Johnson has been cleared to practice. He may not return until the playoffs, but his presence will be a huge, much-needed boost.):  https://walterfootball.com/nflpowerrankings.php

Average Power Ranking (123/19):  6
Posted by LionsFan at 8:16 AM

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