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2021 NFL Power Rankings: Detroit Lions

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Detroit Lions rank in terms of average, best and worst:

Below you will find a Week 14 roundup for the Lions in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 30

Player who must step up: QB Jared Goff

Now that Goff has proved he can win a game without his former Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay, the Lions will be looking to play spoiler. During Sunday's walk-off victory against Minnesota, Goff snapped his 12-game winless streak, which was the longest by a quarterback drafted No. 1 overall since the common draft era began in 1967. The playoffs clearly aren't in the picture for the Lions. But if Goff can help Detroit finish the season with at least a few victories, maybe it can give first-year Lions coach Dan Campbell and the roster some confidence as the team continues to build for the future. -- Eric Woodyard

NFL.com -- Rank: 30

Jared Goff read the coverage, found the receiver and delivered the completion. His celebration began, not with a sprint to celebrate with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, but with a beeline toward Dan Campbell, the head coach who wanted this win more than anyone. The Lions beat the Vikings in dramatic fashion on Sunday, eliminating the prospect of another winless season in Detroit and pumping some good spirit into a region reeling from senseless tragedy. After the game, Campbell dedicated the win to all the people impacted by the recent school shooting in Oxford, Michigan. This has not been an easy year for the Lions, it's been a pretty rough 10 years in fact -- but on Sunday, the team authored one of the most indelible moments of the NFL season.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 31

They won a game, which has to be a good sign for this young team. They haven't quit. One victory can mean so much for this group.

USA Today -- Rank: 30

Pretty cool how eager Detroit's players were get a win for rookie coach Dan Campbell. Even cooler how eager Campbell was to share his breakthrough moment with the devastated Oxford High School community.

The Athletic -- Rank: 31

Best-case scenario: Good for the Lions for getting their first win and setting off an emotional locker-room celebration with first-year coach Dan Campbell, who was given the game ball. That was cool and all, but the Lions don't want to overdo it and screw up the No. 1 pick. Detroit heads into this week's game against Denver a half-game up over Houston and Jacksonville for the top pick. With Jared Goff signed through 2024 -- and maybe more importantly, a weak quarterback class in this year's draft -- the Lions could target edge rushers Aidan Hutchinson or Kayvon Thibodeaux.

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