EDSFootball.com
Follow us:
Home Blog
Detroit Lions

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 15 roundup for the Lions in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 31

The Lions presently have the highest chance to receive the first pick in the 2022 NFL draft. With the current roster in place, even at its best, this team might have been able to achieve a five-win campaign, and that's being generous. But season-ending injuries to key guys such as cornerback Jeff Okudah, center Frank Ragnow and linebacker Romeo Okwara help explain the poor ratings on offense and defense. The final four games of the season could be rough for the Lions as they try to rebuild for the future under first-year coach Dan Campbell. -- Eric Woodyard

NFL.com -- Rank: 30

The afterglow of the Lions' first win of the season faded as the reality of another losing Sunday set in. Detroit surrendered 184 yards on the ground to the Broncos, while the offense struggled to create big plays with D'Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson sidelined by injuries in a 38-10 loss. Jared Goff didn't complete a pass over 20 yards the entire game. Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday he is "hopeful" that Swift will return to action in Week 15 against the Cardinals. If not, the immortal Craig Reynolds will continue to see extensive work.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 31

The injuries and the loss of a lot of players to illness and COVID proved to be too much at Denver. They just don't have enough talent to overcome that.

USA Today -- Rank: 30

With losses to the Ravens and Eagles in the bag, Detroit could go winless against all five NFL bird mascots with the Cardinals, Falcons and Seahawks coming down the pike.

The Athletic -- Rank: 30

Worst-case scenario: For all the Lions' losing this season, effort hasn't been the issue. Detroit manages to stun the Cardinals in Week 15, and that truly incredible victory kicks off a four-game winning streak to close the season. The Lions finish 5-11-1 and out of the top five in the draft. Good for internal morale, maybe, but a disaster for a team looking to reload with top draft picks.

Previous updates:

More Detroit Lions pages:

More of our content:

Keep track of our site's updates: (1) follow us on Twitter, (2) like us on Facebook and/or (3) subscribe to our newsletter.