After beating the beforehand undefeated Minnesota Vikings, are the Detroit Lions now one of the best crew in soccer? In line with a number of NFL Week 8 energy rankings, the reply to that query is a powerful “sure.” Whereas the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs stay the one undefeated crew remaining—and nonetheless many analysts’ prime crew within the NFL—the Lions are enjoying some very stable soccer proper now, led by a red-hot offense that simply took it to the No. 1 protection within the NFL.
Three of the eight energy rankings we study each week have the Lions at No. 1, whereas all however two of the remaining 5 have the Lions at No. 2 behind the Chiefs. In a number of of those energy rankings, the Lions have just a few paragraphs dedicated to them, making an argument for them on the prime spot.
Right here’s a take a look at every of these particular person energy rankings.
MMQB: 1 (Final week: 2)
From Conor Orr:
A brand new No. 1 within the Energy Rankings this week, which I’m certain no fan base could have any downside with in any respect. I allowed the stats to interrupt the tie on this one, and whereas the Chiefs are undefeated, the Lions have a much more environment friendly offense proper now, they simply beat considered one of two lone undefeated groups and are practically similar to the Chiefs when it comes to EPA per play allowed and opponent success charge. Plus, the Lions are racking up model factors now and, similar to the outdated NCAA bowl committee, I’m drawn to shiny issues (and I’m wildly corrupt).
The Ringer: 1 (Final week: 3)
From Diante Lee:
Detroit continues to rise to the event underneath head coach Dan Campbell, checking all of the containers of a real championship contender and successful video games in ways in which depart little doubt about what the crew can do within the postseason. Within the face of Minnesota’s unrelenting blitzes on protection, Jared Goff remained calm and took simple completions till he knew it was time to push the ball downfield, and he did so with the kind of accuracy and anticipation that indicators he can’t be manipulated as a passer in the identical methods he as soon as was. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has put collectively the NFL’s most balanced assault, and this crew is so dynamic on offense that it’s arduous to really feel just like the protection’s points can be an impediment. Detroit’s grip on the NFC is agency and sure received’t be challenged till December.
The Athletic: 1 (Final week: 3)
From Josh Kendall:
You might have argued earlier than Sunday that the Lions had a weak resume. Then they beat the NFC’s solely undefeated crew. Detroit is averaging a league-best 40 factors per recreation since Week 4. Jared Goff, who has thrown seven landing passes and no interceptions in his final three video games, leads the NFL in passer score (111.5).
Sporting Information: 2 (Final week: 3)
From Vinnie Iyer:
The Lions appeared sharp once more offensively by spreading the ball round another way to maintain Jared Goff hyper-efficient. They need to be thought of robust NFC favorites after knocking off Minnesota.
Yahoo Sports activities: 2 (Final week: 4)
From Frank Schwab:
Jared Goff’s previous three video games: accomplished 58 of 68 passes for 887 yards, seven TDs, no INTs and a staggering 153.1 passer score. The 2 issues we realized from the Lions’ win Sunday: Detroit is a bona fide Tremendous Bowl contender and Goff is an MVP candidate. Jameson Williams’ potential two-game suspension doesn’t assist however the Lions have the offensive depth to make up for it.
CBS Sports activities: 2 (Final week: 4)
From Pete Prisco:
They’ve a dynamic offense that may proceed to roll up huge numbers. They do have to discover a alternative for the injured Aidan Hutchinson. Go get Maxx Crosby.
The thirty third crew: 2 (Final week: 5)
From Marcus Mosher:
If the season ended as we speak, Jared Goff could be your NFL MVP. He’s enjoying on the highest degree of his profession, and the Detroit Lions simply took management of the NFC North by beating the Vikings in Minnesota.
Goff has been practically flawless within the final three weeks, and the Lions will want that to proceed in the event that they need to make a run to the Tremendous Bowl. Someway, the Lions look even higher in 2024 regardless of dropping Aidan Hutchinson for the season.
USA Right this moment: 3 (Final week: 4)
(Chiefs 1, Ravens 2)
From Nate Davis:
The very early leaders for home-field benefit within the NFC, they may really be extra harmful on the highway – the place they’re undefeated with a median margin of victory of 15.7 factors.
NFL.com: 3 (Final week: 3)
From Eric Edholm:
After staking the Vikings to a 10-0 lead, committing 5 penalties in an unpleasant first quarter, the Lions ripped off 21 unanswered factors within the second quarter. Issues additionally obtained dicey late, because the 11-point lead evaporated and the Lions fumbled twice (with one run again for a landing) within the ultimate six minutes of the sport. However when Detroit completely needed to have it, Jared Goff delivered some clutch throws on the game-winning field-goal drive, and the Lions obtained out of Minnesota with a gutsy two-point win. The stats say the Lions sacked Sam Darnold 4 occasions, and that’s true, however there have been occasions when the Vikings’ offense was heating up the place you appeared round for Aidan Hutchinson, ready for him to make a game-saving play. These aren’t coming anytime quickly. If Hutch returns this season, it’d be for the Tremendous Bowl, and even that’s no assure, so the Lions may need to take into account including extra go rushers. However they’ve the requisite fearlessness and explosiveness befitting a championship-level crew, and that may’t in any respect be dismissed.
