Monday, January 1, 2024

Week 18 Power Ranking

Fox sports Brooks (3. Detroit Lions:  Dan Campbell's squad walked out of Dallas with a loss but showcased a championship pedigree with their performance. The offense is one of the most explosive units in football, with Jared Goff flourishing as a distributor from the pocket. The dynamic duo in the backfield (David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs) add power and pop as workhorse runners with big play potential. As Aaron Glenn's defense continues to round into form as a premier unit, the Lions are the dark horse contender opponents want to avoid in the postseason.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-top-10-rankings-ravens-soaring-at-the-top-eagles-continue-slide

SI (3. Detroit Lions (11–5):  Sadly, another botched (or seemingly botched) call at a high level for NFL officials marred the ending of Saturday’s game. If I were to bet whether Dan Campbell, a former player, as calculated as they come, or an NFL officiating crew made this mistake, I know exactly where I’m placing my money. Still, 11–5 is a tremendous accomplishment. Now, it’s time for the Lions to make some noise in the postseason. It’s unlikely they’ll grab the No. 2 seed, but a date with whoever the heck crawls out of the abyss to earn the No. 7 seed would be preferable to taking on the red-hot Rams right now.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/2024/01/02/nfl-power-rankings-ravens-49ers-clinch-playoff-seeds



ESPN (4. Detroit Lions (11-5) - Week 17 ranking: 4.  Biggest offseason contract to watch: QB Jared Goff. Goff is signed through 2024 and could become an unrestricted free agent in 2025, so the Lions will need to decide what to do with the veteran quarterback. He has led the Lions back to relevancy, winning their first division crown since 1993, while reaching 4,000 passing yards on the season for the fourth time of his career. It would make sense to lock down Goff, but the question is whether it will be for the short term or long term. He has taken ownership of Detroit's offense while revitalizing his career in the process. -- Eric Woodyard):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/NFLpowerranking010224/nfl-week-18-power-rankings-poll-2023-plus-biggest-contract-offseason-situations



SN (5. Detroit Lions 11-5 (4):  The Lions looked dead in Dallas until a late rally with their defense and big pass plays. They are pushing hard to go into the playoffs with momentum, hosing their first postseason game in 30 years. They need to stay sharp with Matthew Stafford and the red-hot Rams looming for them.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-power-rankings-cowboys-steelers-eagles-dolphins/fd2b5117ec96b03dbb302cf9

NFL.com (5. Detroit Lions:  The Lions are licking their wounds after the hotly debated two-point play and are now left to wonder what might have been. If they would have beaten the Cowboys, they'd have had a shot to play for the NFC's top seed in Week 18. They're still guaranteed at least the No. 3 seed and a home playoff game, but the loss to Dallas hurts immensely. Once more, this group's resilience will be tested. There is so much to be encouraged by, as the Lions have withstood a number of challenges this season, and they'll be a tough playoff out, especially in Detroit -- but even if they have to go on the road, where they're 6-3 this season, with some quality wins. Dating back to Week 9 of last season, this team's record is 19-7. Dan Campbell and Jared Goff have answered far more questions than they have not. The issue now is whether this team is capable of making a Super Bowl run. In an NFC field where every top contender has had a shaky patch this season, I'll still give Detroit an outside shot right now.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-week-18-2023-nfl-season

Yahoo (5. Detroit Lions (11-5, LW: 7): Most likely, the Lions get the No. 3 playoff seed in the NFC. They have no shot at the No. 1 seed and the bye. This is a great opportunity for head coach Dan Campbell to rest starters. But does Campbell seem like the type of coach who would sit anyone?):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-rankings-week-18-dolphins-in-a-rough-spot-going-into-huge-season-finale-043130004.html

PFT (5. Lions (11-5, No. 6): For a team that prides itself on biting kneecaps, the Lions got too cute with the No. 2 seed on the line.):  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/pfts-week-18-2023-nfl-power-rankings

USA Today (5b. Detroit Lions (5): Did they really lose Saturday? Regardless, this is a team capable of doing serious damage in the postseason … if its players are, ahem, eligible to do so.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/nate-davis/2024/01/02/nfl-power-rankings-cowboys-lions-eagles-week-18/72080937007/

PFN Miller (7. Detroit Lions:  Dan Campbell (understandably) tilted after the Lions’ successful two-point conversion attempt was called back by a bogus penalty on offensive tackle Taylor Decker, who reported eligible on the play and caught the pass.  Detroit’s run defense looked outstanding, and their rushing attack looked dominant at times against Dallas’ defense. However, a few mistakes from Jared Goff led to turnovers, and the Lions’ pass defense remains the team’s Achilles heel.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-18-nfl-power-rankings-dalton-miller-2023/

Fox sports (7. Detroit Lions (11-5) +1:  There's no shame in losing at the literal buzzer on the road — and with some officiating nonsense thrown in for good measure. I deeply appreciate how much faith Dan Campbell had in his guys to go for two at the end. That type of confidence could pay dividends in the playoffs.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2023-nfl-power-rankings

CBS (7. LIONS: That was a tough loss to the Cowboys on the road, even with the controversy contributing to it. They will be either the No. 2 or No. 3 seed in the NFC.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-18-power-rankings-reborn-bills-may-be-ravens-biggest-afc-threat-dolphins-eagles-fall-out-of-top-5/



Walter football (9. Detroit Lions (11-5) – Previously: 10.  The Lions should have the No. 2 seed right now, but they got screwed by corrupt and/or incompetent officiating. The official, Brad Allen, screwed over the Bears recently as well, so it’s worth wondering whether he’s a Packers or a Vikings fan.):  https://walterfootball.com/nflpowerrankings.php

Average Power Ranking (95/18):  5
Posted by LionsFan at 11:40 AM

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