2023 NFL Power Rankings: Detroit Lions climb after Week 4 win over Packers
Don’t look now, but our Detroit Lions are sitting at 3-1 following their Thursday Night Football win over the Green Bay Packers. With their latest win, the Lions are once again climbing in many of the NFL Power Rankings that have been released.
Where do the Detroit Lions Rank in the 2023 NFL Power Rankings?
NFL.com: No. 7
It’s a new era in Motown. The Lions smashed the Packers at Lambeau Field last Thursday, then found out Friday that 2022 first-rounder Jameson Williams would be returning early from suspension. They officially became division favorites before the Williams news, and they’re potentially adding exactly what they need in the speedy wide receiver. But Williams also returns with much to prove, given his lofty draft status, limited production and a nagging penchant for being unavailable. One thing to remember: He suffered a hamstring injury in August, played only preseason game and couldn’t communicate with the team during the first three weeks of his suspension, so expectations must be adjusted. But now the runway for him to be reacclimated is longer — and begins right when Detroit embarks on a reasonable slice of the schedule, even with competitive road games at Tampa and Baltimore on tap this month.“
“The pass rush has certainly improved from the past two seasons, but the Lions’ pass rush win rate is 32.3% through four games — which ranks 29th in the league according to ESPN Analytics. However, Detroit has shown improvement: Over the past two games, the Lions’ defense has registered 12 of its 13 sacks on the season, with second-year edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson totaling 3.5 in that span. The Lions’ pass rush appears to be figuring it out and will look to build its momentum against Carolina this week.”
“Nothing says chaos like the team with the third-longest playoff drought in the league sprinting toward the postseason. The Lions, who have won 11 of their last 14 games dating to last season, gave the ball to David Montgomery 32 times Thursday night (for 121 yards). That’s the heaviest single-game workload of the season for a running back and the eighth-highest of the last five seasons, according to TruMedia.”
“Think about this for a minute: There are 14 teams with a better rushing success rate than the Lions, and 14 teams with a better drop back success rate. While this variable is still all over the place right now given that we’re four weeks into the season, it does tell us something: the Lions haven’t even hit their stride yet offensively. Jahmyr Gibbs has yet to break out. Jameson Williams is still coming back. Sam LaPorta, who has been an excellent, high catch percentage target, still has such a high ceiling. And Detroit’s pass rush just arrived.”
