Week 2 Power Rankings: At Least Lions Better than New York Jets
How does a loss against the San Francisco 49ers impact the Lions' status in the national media power rankings? Let's take a look.
Week 2 rank: 25th
Previous rank: 22nd
"While it may not have been the way we expected, the Detroit Lions showed some foundational promise on Sunday against the 49ers. Jared Goff was hitting passes to all levels of the field. Anthony Lynn did a phenomenal job of scheming open the team’s best offensive weapons, like T.J. Hockenson. The running game lagged, but Detroit will end up a thorn in plenty of sides this year simply by virtue of being well-coached."
Week 2 rank: 29th
Previous rank: 31st
Minimal credit is given for the roster trying for 60 minutes. Professional athletes are expected to try and show effort when they take the field for paying customers.
The team needs to clean up a whole host of errors and fundamentals before taking the field in front of a nationally televised audience on Monday Night Football.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell will have his hands full, but I am expecting to see noticeable progress next week.
Week 2 rank: 30th
Previous rank: 30th
"They made it interesting against the 49ers, but they are still an undermanned team. The fact they fought back is a good sign for first-year coach Dan Campbell."
Week 2 rank: 30th
Previous rank: 31st
"With an injury to LT Taylor Decker, the seventh overall pick was moved back to his college position, offering solid protection for QB Jared Goff. He had an 88.1% pass block win rate in Sunday's loss to the 49ers. That was 23rd among 61 qualified offensive lineman in Week 1."
Week 2 Rank: 29th
"The Detroit Lions we knew wouldn't be very good. The Chicago Bears figured to be below average, too. The Minnesota Vikings looked like a middle-of-the-pack team, mostly because they play the Lions and Bears twice this year.
But the Green Bay Packers were supposed to be a Super Bowl contender. The fact that the Packers got absolutely trucked in Week 1 by the New Orleans Saints has me wondering just how good — or bad -- the NFC North is.
The North is the only winless division in the NFL one week into the season, with the Lions, Bears, Vikings and Packers losing by a combined 140-74."
Week 2 rank: 30th
Previous rank: 31st
“If you just look at the score and see “41-33,” you might think the Lions kept it close against San Francisco. They did not. There was a late rally and shockingly they had a chance to tie the game at the end, but it was a blowout for 58 minutes. Losing cornerback Jeff Okudah, a potential building block, to a ruptured Achilles is a more important blow.”
Week 2 rank: 28th
Previous rank: 31st
“Hokey nature aside, Dan Campbell was pretty good coaching in his first game for the Lions, too. The constant offensive and defensive mistakes are residue of having a rather bare cupboard of reliable talent. but at least Campbell’s team didn’t quit when down big and almost caught up to the 49ers. The effort and talent was maximized.”
