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:
- Average ranking: 30.6 (T-30th)
- Best ranking: 30th (Multiple)
- Worst ranking: 31st (Multiple)
Below you will find a Week 5 roundup for the Lions in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.
ESPN -- Rank: 31
Biggest surprise: Starting 0-4
Why it's a surprise: Nobody expected the Lions to be a playoff team, but starting 0-4 isn't ideal -- even for the Lions. Against Chicago, they failed to score on four different red zone drives, which tied for the most by any team in a game since 2000 -- and Detroit's most in a single game. Quarterback Jared Goff has now lost six consecutive regular-season starts, which is the longest active streak among QBs. It hasn't been all his fault, with injuries and costly miscues haunting this team, but the Lions have to improve at limiting mistakes in scoring situations if they want to win a game. -- Eric Woodyard
Why it's a surprise: Nobody expected the Lions to be a playoff team, but starting 0-4 isn't ideal -- even for the Lions. Against Chicago, they failed to score on four different red zone drives, which tied for the most by any team in a game since 2000 -- and Detroit's most in a single game. Quarterback Jared Goff has now lost six consecutive regular-season starts, which is the longest active streak among QBs. It hasn't been all his fault, with injuries and costly miscues haunting this team, but the Lions have to improve at limiting mistakes in scoring situations if they want to win a game. -- Eric Woodyard
NFL.com -- Rank: 31
The hits keep on coming for the Lions. Linebacker Romeo Okwara, Detroit's most important player on defense, is done for the year after tearing his Achilles tendon in Sunday's 24-14 loss to the Bears. It's the same devastating injury that ended the season of 2020 first-round pick Jeff Okudah back in Week 1. It's all crushing news for a Lions team that had one of the thinnest rosters in football to begin the season. With attrition setting in, Detroit's talent disparity is compounded. Now Detroit's the lone remaining winless team in the NFC, and it's on head coach Dan Campbell to keep the Lions from losing hope.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 31
They compete in games, but it's just not enough. This first year will include a lot of losing for Dan Campbell.
USA Today -- Rank: 30
The last time Detroit claimed a win with a quarterback not named Matthew Stafford? Try 2010, when you would've laughed at notion of an electric Ford Mustang.
The Athletic -- Rank: 30
It's too early to be this depressed about the state of the Lions, but it's hard to find anything positive to say after the Week 4 loss to the Bears. (The same Bears who barely looked like a professional team a week earlier.) The Lions are sloppy, ugly (three trips to the red zone that netted no points) and injured. We don't blame our friends in Michigan if they spend this Sunday at the pumpkin patch instead of watching the Lions play the Vikings.
Previous updates:
- Detroit Lions 2021 NFL Power Rankings Roundup: Week 4
- Detroit Lions 2021 NFL Power Rankings Roundup: Week 3
- Detroit Lions 2021 NFL Power Rankings Roundup: Week 2
- Detroit Lions 2021 NFL Power Rankings Roundup: Week 1
- Detroit Lions 2021 NFL Power Rankings Roundup: Post-Draft
More Detroit Lions pages:
- Detroit Lions Mock Draft Roundup
- Detroit Lions Snap Counts
- Detroit Lions Franchise Leaders
- Detroit Lions Draft History
- Detroit Lions Schedule
- Detroit Lions Tickets
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