Yahoo (7. Detroit Lions (LW: 7): I'm interested to see how rookie defensive back Brian Branch fits in the defense. There were good camp reports about him and he showed out in the preseason. We know the second-round pick can hit. He can add a much-needed element to the Lions' defense, which needs to improve if the team wants to win the NFC North.): https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-rankings-does-it-matter-that-steelers-kenny-pickett-had-a-great-preseason-132719600.html
SI (9. Detroit Lions: Due to NFL script-writing laws, only one of the two running backs selected in the first round of this year’s draft is allowed to be a massive success. Here’s hoping that Jahmyr Gibbs silently possesses a burning desire to have been selected by the Falcons—a deep, unknown love of the suburb of Alpharetta and its modest median home prices despite the wealth of square footage availability. And here’s hoping Gibbs takes that out on his opponents every Sunday, which will be great news for all fantasy folks who had to take Justin Jefferson with the No. 1 pick and then didn’t select again until pick No. 344, at which time Gibbs was the highest-rated running back available.): https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/09/05/nfl-preseason-power-rankings-chiefs-bengals-eagles
SN (9. Detroit Lions (7): The Lions' buzz has cooled only a little because of a few injury concerns early, namely to Amon-Ra St. Brown. But they are set up to have another big run-oriented offensive year for Dan Campbell and like the Jaguars, they expect youth to serve much better on an upgraded defense.): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-power-rankings-chiefs-jets-bills-lions-jaguars/b447ca4680afae179ea2d978
ESPN (11. Detroit Lions - ESPN FPI's chances to win NFC North: 43%. Chances to make the playoffs: 65%. Projected wins: 9.3. Strength of schedule: 11th easiest. What do the Lions do the best? Score. Behind a strong offensive line, which is returning Pro Bowlers Penei Sewell and Frank Ragnow, the Lions averaged the fifth-most points scored (25.7) in 2022. They have added running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery and rookie tight end Sam LaPorta, while returning wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and quarterback Jared Goff, who are looking to pick up where they left off after winning eight of their final 10 games last year. -- Eric Woodyard. What is the Lions' biggest weakness? Rush defense. As a whole, the entire Lions defense struggled last season, but particularly against the run, where opponents averaged 5.2 yards per carry, which tied for the second most in the league. The interior defensive line still needs work, but they're hoping Alim McNeill and Isaiah Buggs along with Aidan Hutchinson and John Cominsky will help them get off to a strong start. -- Woodyard. Stat to know: An issue for the Lions last season was their defense, which had the second-worst efficiency (39.59) in the NFL, ahead of only the Bears, who had the worst record in the NFL. The pass defense was particularly bad as Detroit ranked last in the NFL in QBR allowed (58.1). As a result, the Lions revamped their secondary in the offseason, signing three new starters in Cameron Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Fantasy sleeper candidate: TE Sam LaPorta. I'd take a late-round shot on LaPorta in deeper leagues. The rookie will start the season as the No. 1 tight end in Detroit's play-action-heavy pass game. He can stretch the seams, flex outside and rumble after the catch. He's a rugged mover with 4.59 speed. -- Bowen. Bold prediction for 2023: Jameson Williams will finish the season as a top-20 fantasy wide receiver in points per game played after he returns from his six-game suspension for violating the NFL's gambling policy. Had it not been for his torn ACL in his left knee that he suffered at Alabama, Williams probably would have been drafted higher than 12th overall last year. With that injury in the rearview mirror, I'm betting on a player worth that type of draft capital. -- Walder): https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38299957/nfl-team-previews-2023-predictions-fantasy-sleepers-depth-charts
NFL.com (11. Detroit Lions: Even if the Lions aren’t quite as dynamic offensively as they were in 2022, it’s hard to imagine their defense isn’t vastly better. Perhaps Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs pick away at them on Thursday night or, say, the Falcons (whom they play in Week 3) grind their way to success against them. But top to bottom, this Detroit defense has added talent and depth during the offseason -- which speaks to them keeping 29 defenders on the initial roster. And just look where they’re coming from: Last year was a struggle, even accounting for some late-season improvement. More sacks and takeaways helped mask things in 2022, but now they have more impact players in the front seven and better coverage options in the back end. Can coordinator Aaron Glenn make it work with an aggressive, man-heavy scheme? I think so, even with some expected hiccups.): https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-power-rankings-week-1-2023-nfl-season
USA Today (11. Lions (10): They're well positioned to win the NFC North for the very first time – in part because rookies Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch are expected to be significant contributors. Fox sports (13. Detroit Lions: Finally, it's time to put up or shut up. No Lions team in history has been as anticipated as this one, as evidenced by their spot in the Thursday night season opener. I have questions about the skill players behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, and I can't wait to see if the defense picks up where it left off last season. Fortunately for the Lions, it's easier to believe when you look at their competition in the NFC North.): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2023-nfl-power-rankings-chiefs-eagles-lead-our-initial-list
PFN (13. Detroit Lions: The Lions will rely heavily on their 2023 rookie class, as Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, Sam LaPorta, and Brian Branch are all expected to handle significant roles as early as Week 1. Play-caller Ben Johnson runs as varied a scheme as any coordinator in the NFL, but Detroit’s questions are on the other side of the ball, where the Lions allowed the second-most points per drive in the league.): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/pro-football-networks-week-1-nfl-power-rankings-2023/
PFN Miller (14. Detroit Lions: The initial hype surrounding the Detroit Lions is gone. A surprising win against the Chiefs in Week 1 could have Detroit fans stitching up a divisional banner, but until then, it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. We still need to see Jared Goff show his play from a season ago is sustainable. We need to see that a group of receivers without a legitimate threat on the outside can be a threat through the air, and most importantly, we need to see this defense show marked improvement from a season ago.): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/week-1-nfl-power-rankings-can-chiefs-cowboys-bills-win-big-primetime-matchups/
PFT (14. Lions: It’s great to get attention and respect. But no one will view them as an easy team to beat this year, which will make every game harder.): https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/pfts-week-1-2023-nfl-power-rankings
PFF (14. DETROIT LIONS - Postseason ranking: 15. Projected wins: 8.9. The Detroit Lions are favored to win the NFC North for the first time in a while. This offense was one of the best in the league last year, ranking sixth in EPA per play and third in EPA per pass. The offense also ranked second in terms of forcing broken coverage from opposing defenses, and they did all of this without the work of Jameson Williams for most of the year. Even though Williams will be out the first six games of the season, the Lions’ great offensive line and playcalling will likely keep them among the league’s best offenses this season. The Lions prioritized the secondary this offseason, turning over one of the league’s worst pass defenses from 2022. They signed CB Cameron Sutton, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Emmanuel Moseley, and they drafted Brian Branch in the second round of the draft. This should be one of the most improved units from 2022 to 2023, given all the resources they invested from free agency and the draft.): https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-1-power-rankings-chiefs-the-top-ranked-team-heading-into-tnf-buccaneers-sink-before-kickoff
CBS (15. Lions: They are a trendy pick in the NFC North, but they have a lot of young players who have never won big games. That matters. They might be a year away.): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-1-power-rankings-jaguars-49ers-set-to-meet-in-2024-super-bowl-thanks-to-talent-and-weak-divisions/
Average Power Rankings (155/13): 12
