PFN (1. Detroit Lions - Record: 13-2. Offense+ Rank: 2. Defense+ Rank: 4. Special Teams+ Rank: 13. SOS Rank: 12. The Vikings’ win over the Packers in Week 17 sets up a Week 18 battle between Detroit and Minnesota for the top seed in the conference and the NFC North title. A loss to the Vikings in Week 18 would almost certainly drop the Lions to the No. 5 seed in the NFC after they have sat atop the standings all season. PFN’s Playoff Predictor is a big fan of the Lions, ranking Detroit the second-best offense and fourth-best defense and giving them a 24.5% chance to win the Super Bowl — double the odds of the next-highest team. Detroit will try to improve to 14-2 by defeating the 49ers on Monday Night Football.): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-power-rankings-week-18-insights-2024/
ESPN (2. Detroit Lions (14-2): Biggest offseason contract situation to watch: Cornerback Carlton Davis III. Since being traded from the Buccaneers, Davis has always been open to a contract extension in Detroit. He is currently in the final year of his contract and has been productive with 42 solo tackles, 11 passes defended, 2 interceptions and a forced fumble. Like many other Lions players, he was placed on the injured reserve list, with a jaw injury, in Week 15. However, Detroit will have to decide on his long-term future with the organization after already agreeing to massive extensions for Jared Goff, David Montgomery, Amon-Ra St. Brown and others. This won't be an easy decision. -- Eric Woodyard): https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43225531/nfl-power-rankings-week-18-poll-2024-plus-biggest-offseason-contract-situation-watch
SI (2. Lions: Also, how do you not love Aaron Glenn and Dan Campbell throwing safety blitzes at the 49ers when up 12 with fewer than two minutes to play? ): https://www.si.com/nfl/power-rankings-chiefs-fall-despite-win-over-steelers
FTW (2. Detroit Lions - Last week’s rank: 2. Detroit’s lack of defensive manpower is a problem, but a healthy Kerby Joseph remains a game changer. He’s up to nine interceptions on the year against a single touchdown allowed in coverage. The Lions may have to win each of their playoff games in a shootout, but there’s at least faith their injury-riddled defense can come up with a big turnover when it matters most. — CD): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-power-rankings-week-18-chiefs-vikings-bills
Fox News (2. Lions: In a meaningless game, the Detroit Lions offense looked the best it's been all season long. Lions fans can only hope that their team will be all good for Sunday night’s NFC North title game, which will give them or the Vikings the No. 1 seed. But is anyone surprised Dan Campbell was aggressive on Monday? Last week: 2): https://www.foxnews.com/sports/fox-news-digital-sports-nfl-power-rankings-after-week-17-2024-season
Walter football (3. Detroit Lions (13-2) – Previously: 3. Those injured players didn’t seem to be a factor with the Lions demolishing the Bears in cold weather. Then again, Detroit had a great matchup against a team that has an interim head coach and no offensive coordinator.): https://walterfootball.com/nflpowerrankings.php
CBS (3. Lions: They can score and score and score. With their defense, they have to score 40. But with their offense, they might just score that every game to get to and win a Super Bowl.): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-18-power-rankings-chiefs-peaking-at-the-perfect-time-baker-mayfields-bucs-crack-the-top-10/
NFL.com (3. Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell said the Lions would play it out Monday, and the beat-up, out-of-the-playoffs 49ers steamrolled through them for four TDs in five drives (with a missed field-goal try in between) to start the game. That’s a problem. This is who the Lions are defensively heading into Sunday night’s cage match against the Vikings. The stakes couldn't be clearer, with the division and the top seed in the NFC boiling down to that contest, and Minnesota is dangerous. The concern isn’t with Ben Johnson matching wits with Brian Flores; it’s with Aaron Glenn’s chewed-up defense finding solutions against Sam Darnold, Justin Jefferson and a Vikings offense that has maintained its edge while cutting back on turnovers. Detroit could certainly start by cutting back on pointless penalties. The two picks by Kerby Joseph that helped turn Monday's game into a win served as a reminder that turnovers fueled this defense earlier this season. Those are the kinds of plays the Lions need against Minnesota, even if they rack up another quarter-mile of offense.): https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-week-18-2024-nfl-season
USA Today (3. Detroit Lions (2): Despite all the injuries, they're on the verge of the first No. 1 playoff seed in team history. And regardless of the defensive health, this group is capable of beating anyone in a shootout – and most definitely so at Ford Field (though it's also incumbent to note that the Lions are the first team to go undefeated on the road in four years). Could this be the year they finally break through for their first Lombardi Trophy?): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/nate-davis/2024/12/31/nfl-power-rankings-week-18-bills-chiefs-lions-vikings/77341586007/
PFF (3. Lions: The Detroit Lions’ Monday night victory against the San Francisco 49ers may not have had significant playoff implications, with everything hinging on their Week 18 matchup against the Vikings, but their effort on the field was a testament to the resilience and character of this team. Despite a banged-up defense, the Lions secured a 40-34 win in a competitive, hard-fought game. Kerby Joseph continues to shine, with a stellar 90.7 grade that ranks first among safeties in the league, underscoring his critical role in the Lions' success this season. The team’s grit and determination remain on full display as they prepare for the decisive showdown.): https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-18-power-rankings
Fox sports Brooks (4. Lions: At the season's start, Detroit's Monday night game against the Niners looked to be a battle for the NFC's No. 1 seed. While the Niners could not hold up their end of the bargain, the Lions are closing in on home-field advantage with an impressive campaign that has showcased their collective talent, versatility and resilience. With a victory setting up a winner-take-all contest in Week 18 against the Vikings, the Lions' ability to lock in and focus could determine whether they secure the coveted top seed next week.): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-top-10-rankings-chiefs-vikings-bills-lions-eagles-ravens
The Athletic (Lions Power ranking: 4th. Previous ranking: 2nd. The Lions are wounded and the Vikings are hot, but Detroit has a chance to reset the narrative heading into the playoffs and secure the top seed in the NFC when it hosts Minnesota on Sunday night. If the Lions win, they won’t have to leave Ford Field until a possible Super Bowl trip. Their offense looked capable of it against the 49ers on Monday night, but the defense is going to have to hang on tight.): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/power-rankings-lions-can-outscore-every-nfl-team
Fox sports (4. Lions: The bad news is that the Lions’ defense is still coping with a ton of injuries, as evidenced by San Francisco piling up 475 yards and 34 points on them. That's problematic — both next week against Minnesota and in the playoffs. But the good news is, with an offense like theirs, it really might not matter. There can't be more than two or three teams in the NFL that can keep up with these guys.): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2024-power-rankings
Yahoo (4. Lions: The Lions might be able to outscore every team on the way to the franchise's first Super Bowl. But after a 40-34 win over the 49ers, it's clear that they'll have to put up a boatload of points and hope the defense makes a few big plays, like it did with two interceptions on Monday night.): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-rankings-entering-week-18-ravens-might-be-hot-super-bowl-pick-entering-playoffs-042046751.html
PFT’s Week 18 2024 NFL power rankings (4. Lions (No. 4; 14-2): If they’re going to be the top seed in the NFC, they’re going to have to earn it.): https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/pfts-week-18-2024-nfl-power-rankings
Average Power Ranking (47/16): 3
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