We all know how ugly Sunday was for the Lions. That ugliness is now reflected in this week’s version of NFL power rankings.
Leading up to last weekend’s match-up with the New Orleans Saints, Detroit found themselves in the middle of the pack at #14. After their 52-38 loss, they haven’t exactly taken a nosedive in the rankings, but they did drop a spot to #15. Considering that just two weeks ago they were inside the top ten, their drop to 15 is concerning, to say the least.
“Detroit’s bye week couldn’t have come at a better time, as the Lions have lost three of their past four games,” it states. “They have a tough match-up against the Steelers when they return to action, but then get to take on the Aaron Rodgers-less Packers and the quarterback-deficient Browns.”
To say that the bye week couldn’t come at a better time might be an understatement. Numerous Lions were banged up coming out of Sunday, and that was reflected today when 12 players missed practice.
Of those missing practice, Kenny Golladay, T.J. Lang, and Matthew Stafford had already been nursing injuries before the game last weekend. The most unfortunate news (so far) regarding injuries revolves around Golden Tate, who is expected to miss at least some time as a result of a shoulder injury.
There was some good news that surfaced today when it was announced that punter Sam Martin is on track to make his season debut following the bye week.
All things considered, a drop of only one position in the power rankings is pretty much the last thing that the Lions need to be worried about at this point. Following the bye, they have two tough match-ups. First, they will do battle with the Pittsburgh Steelers, then make the trip to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers. With any luck, the bye week will allow the team to return to health.
