Lions Hold Steady in NFL Power Rankings Despite Defensive Concerns

National outlets mostly kept Detroit in the top 15 after a Week 2 loss to Buffalo, though one dropped the team to No. 18.

The Detroit Lions dropped in several national media power rankings following their 41-31 Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but most outlets kept the team inside the top 15. Of eight rankings compiled after the game, seven placed Detroit at No. 15 or better, with two slotting the Lions in the top 10.

The Athletic ranked Detroit No. 8, unchanged from the previous week, while USA Today moved the Lions up two spots to No. 10. Yahoo Sports (13 from 9), NFL.com (unchanged at 13), ESPN (14 from 11) and Sporting News (14 from 13) all kept Detroit in the middle of the pack. CBS Sports held at 15, while Sports Illustrated fell hardest, dropping from 10 to 18.

A common theme across the rankings was concern over a defense decimated by injuries in the secondary. Safety Avonte Maddox is out for the season with a foot injury, and Detroit has reportedly worked out defensive backs including Jordan Fuller and Jalen Mills. Yahoo Sports noted the Lions have allowed 658 passing yards, second-most in the league.

Analysts also pointed to positives. ESPN highlighted quarterback Jared Goff, who has thrown a touchdown pass in 25 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NFL, and reached 40,000 career passing yards in the Buffalo game. Several outlets also cited an upcoming schedule with winnable games against the Jets, Panthers, Cardinals and Packers as a reason Detroit could rebound.

Head coach Dan Campbell acknowledged the defensive struggles after the loss, saying the team gave up too much and must clean up its mistakes.