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As the Detroit Lions come off their bye week and prepare for a Week 9 home matchup, there has been minimal change in their placement in this week’s NFL power rankings. On most boards from NFL writers across the country, the Lions have either held firm in the same spot they had in last week’s roundup or dropped one to two spots. Several outlets still view the Lions as one of the NFL’s two best teams. In contrast, two outlets have them outside the top five, with one suggesting the Lions may lose defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard this offseason to a head-coaching opening. One common thing among a few writers is that the bye week came at a good time for the Lions, as they’ve been walloped in the health department and need to work out some kinks in the offense. Here’s a look at where the Lions stand in this week’s power rankings roundup. ESPN Rank: 2 Last week: 1 “After losing Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow (retirement) and veteran guard Kevin Zeitler (signed with the Titans), the Lions drafted Ratledge in the second round to help navigate those offseason departures. He has started in all seven games at right guard next to All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell, and Detroit hasn’t missed a beat with the third-most points per game in the NFL (30.7). Detroit was forced to replace 40% of an offensive line that was on the field for the second-most points and touchdowns of any five-man unit in the NFL last season, per ESPN Research.” -- Eric Woodyard The Athletic Rank: 2 Last week: 1 “The Lions’ fourth-year pass rusher leads the NFL in pressures (48) even after his bye week, according to TruMedia. He’s on pace for 116 pressures (which would be more than any player since at least the 1999 season) and 14.5 sacks in his first season back from a season-ending knee injury. Hutchinson already has three strip-sacks and four forced fumbles." -- Josh Kendall and Chad Graff Yahoo Sports Rank: 2 Last week: same "The Lions’ bye came at a good time. The defense can get healthier. We know the offense is still explosive and can outscore just about anyone if it’s on. The key to a championship season would be getting some better injury luck on the defensive side." -- Frank Schwab CBS Sports Rank: 4 Last week: same "As they come off their bye, health in the secondary is the biggest issue. When they get players back, that defense will be much improved." -- Pete Prisco The Ringer Rank: 2 Last week: same "After former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn did so much heavy lifting to build up the Lions’ identity, it’s almost unfair to credit first-year play caller Kelvin Sheppard for how well Detroit’s been playing. Sheppard has stepped into this infrastructure and maximized it—and he’s added a few wrinkles of his own. The Lions are turning more pressures into sacks, and they’re getting stops without needing to blitz as often or as recklessly. If this unit keeps it up, Detroit should be the NFC’s best team." -- Diante Lee Sports Illustrated Rank: 6 Last week: 4 "It seems more and more likely that Dan Campbell will lose his second defensive coordinator to a head coaching job since 2024. Watch Kelvin Sheppard give the game ball back after one of his players tries to hand it to him." -- Connor Orr USA Today Rank: 5 Last week: same “They haven’t lost at home this season. They haven’t lost at home to the Vikings since the 2020 season.” -- Nate Davis Fox Sports Rank: 1 Last week: same "They get to stay right where they are thanks to their Week 8 bye. And they should be in position to stay one more week with a game against the Vikings on Sunday. Then it gets tougher with trips to Washington and Philadelphia." -- Ralph Vacchiano Sporting News Rank: 6 Last week: 7 “The Lions got a needed bye week as they attempt to make a second-half surge to repeat in the tough NFC North over the Packers and Bears. Jared Goff can have a big second half with a more favorable schedule with much of the toughness behind Dan Campbell’s team.” -- Vinnie Iyer
