NFL Week 13 power rankings: Lions fall as low as No. 8 after loss to Packers

There’s no need for the Detroit Lions to panic just yet. With an 8–3 record, the Lions still maintain a grip on the NFC North. However, after a closely contested game against the Chicago Bears and a subsequent Thanksgiving Day loss, this time to the Green Bay Packers, there is a justified cause for concern.

This sentiment is shared by NFL journalists across the country.

Heading into their matchup against the Packers last Thursday, the Lions were considered as high as the second-best team in NFL power rankings. A significant factor contributing to this perception is their high-powered offense under the guidance of Ben Johnson, the running back duo of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and last but not least, the quarterback play of Jared Goff, despite the turnovers.

However, having conceded over 100 points in their last three games, writers are now bearish on the Lions due to the regression of their defense. While some journalists still consider the Lions a top-five team in the league, the majority have downgraded them, with some placing them on the cusp of falling out of the top 10.

As we enter week 13, let’s take a look at where the Lions stand in rankings according to writers across the country.

The Athletic

Rank: 7

“Even Jared Goff ’s most ardent fans get nervous this time of year, and Goff wasn’t great Thursday against the Packers . Still, in an off game, he produced 332 yards, two touchdowns and a 103.6 passer rating. The Lions play the Saints , Bears , Broncos and Vikings (twice) down the stretch. If Detroit can get home-field advantage, it can make a run with this offense, which ranks second in the league in yardage (405.5).”

Bleacher Report

Rank: 8

“Campbell may not be worried, but he should be—especially about the Lions defense. The past couple of weeks, the Lions have looked a lot more like the unit that finished 2022 last in the league defensively. The Lions may have some breathing room in the division race, but they also finish the season with two matchups with Minnesota sandwiched around a trip to Dallas. If the Lions play over that stretch the way they have the past two weeks, they could see their first division title since 1993 slip through their fingers.”

Rank: 7

“The numbers tell a tale of two teams. For the second year in a row, the Lions’ offense is among the best in the league, averaging the second-most yards per game (405.5), while the defense ranks among the bottom - despite showing flashes of their potential. The Lions excel offensively with a plethora of options to score from rushing to passing, while the defense lacks in the secondary and pass rush, notably against mobile quarterbacks. The Lions are allowing their opponents to score a touchdown in the red zone 68.6% of the time - the third-worst mark in the league. Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp has the Lions performing among the best in that department with his coaching creativity. The Lions, who sit atop the NFC North, can still get better.”

Yahoo Sports

Rank: 5

“The poor outing against the Bears didn’t turn out to be a blip. The Lions have looked bad in two straight games, both at home against losing teams, and are lucky to be 1-1 out of it. It starts with being very sloppy with the ball and turning it over. The Lions have an easy schedule coming up and they’re unlikely to blow the division or anything, but that dream of getting the NFC’s No. 1 seed probably died with the loss to the Packers.”

The Sporting News

Rank: 8

“The Lions were rare strong home favorites on Thanksgiving, only to meet a familiar losing result against the Packers. They are still looking good with the running game and underneath passing game, but Jared Goff is off when there are pressure leaks and the young defense is experiencing more breakdowns.”

USA Today

Rank: 7

“They’ve surrendered nearly 100 points and more than 1,100 yards in the three games since their Week 9 bye. Hopefully Detroit’s D found the necessary adjustments in the post-Thanksgiving mini-bye as the team prepares to hit the road four of the next five weeks.”

Pro Football Network

Rank: 7

“Jared Goff is floundering. Goff is an excellent passer, but he cannot necessarily overcome a poor environment. He does a good job operating around the pocket and avoiding pressure, but he does not possess the ability to create. He’s turning the ball over too much, and those turnovers were a significant reason why Detroit lost again on Thanksgiving.”

Pro Football Talk

Rank: 8

“Jared Goff is playing more and more like the guy the Rams couldn’t wait to get rid of.”