Lions' Week 7 Power Rankings

The Week 7 power rankings are out, and the Lions remain a middling team in the eye of the national media

The Lions lost in heartbreaking fashion Monday night to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. 

Detroit misfired on a few opportunities to secure the victory, but the blown calls by the refs have become the major national story from the game.

How does the loss impact the Lions ranks in the national media power rankings? Let's take a look.

Sports Illustrated

Week 7 rank: 12th

Previous rank: 10th

"A crushing divisional loss for the Lions on Monday Night Football, marred by bad officiating. Detroit remains one of the toughest teams to figure out this season, but next week’s matchup against Minnesota will be crucial."

NFL.com

Week 7 rank: 13th

Previous rank: 13th

"A brutal loss for the Lions, who have every right to be furious after a pair of bogus illegal-hands-to-the-face penalties on Trey Flowers all but doomed them in the fourth quarter. In Detroit, we imagine these blown calls might paper over the Lions' shortcomings, which included blowing a 13-point lead, settling for five field goals on multiple trips to the Packers' side of the field and allowing 100 yards rushing on the ground for the fifth consecutive game. The Lions once again proved they can hang with the NFL's best teams ... but can they get over the hump?"

ESPN

Week 7 rank: 17th

Previous rank: 16th

"The Lions have showed improvement in almost every area compared with a season ago, but they've struggled against the run. They are allowing 4.84 yards per carry (26th in the league) along with 124.8 yards per game. They allowed over 100 yards rushing in every game the first month of the season and had given up five rushing scores entering Monday night against Green Bay." -- Michael Rothstein

Bleacher Report

Week 7 rank: 15th

Previous rank: 15th

"In the first quarter of Monday's Week 6 finale between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, it looked like the visitors were set to make a statement. They appeared ready to announce their arrival as a force in the NFC North.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford completed a long pass to Kenny Golladay on the game's first play. Detroit raced out to a 13-0 lead and thoroughly dominated the first quarter.

It was the other three quarters that wound up being a problem.

Yes, there were two phantom calls for illegal use of hands in the second half that had a big impact on Detroit eventually losing the game. There was also a call for 12 men on the field that led to Green Bay's first touchdown. But for the Lions, far too many trips deep into Green Bay territory ended in field goals instead of touchdowns.

'The Lions are a good football team, and the officiating didn't do them any favors,' (Bleacher Report NFL analyst Gary) Davenport said. 'But to get a tough road win against a good team, you have to take full advantage of the opportunities you're given. The Lions didn't do that, and it leaves them in an all-too-familiar spot: bringing up the rear in the NFC North.'"

NBC Sports

Week 7 rank: 9th

Previous rank: 9th

"The Lions got robbed by the officials Monday night against the Packers but they proved along the way that they're more than worthy of a top-10 designation in the power rankings."

CBS Sports

Week 7 rank: 14th

Previous rank: 16th

"That was a tough way to lose a game against the Packers. But they showed Monday night they are a legitimate playoff contender."

More: Colin Cowherd Says Matthew Stafford Does Not Have a 'Signature Win'