Just one week ago, I was writing an article about how the Detroit Lions had climbed all the way up to No. 8 in The Athletic's Week 16 NFL Power Rankings. At the time, the Lions had won six out of seven games, and there was no question about it that they were playing like one of the best teams in the NFL. Well, that was then and this is now, and following their Christmas Eve beatdown against the Carolina Panthers, the Lions have dropped in the rankings.
Where do the Detroit Lions rank heading into Week 17?
Bo Wulf of The Atheltic just released his Week 17 NFL Power Rankings, and it should come as no surprise that the Lions dropped down.
In fact, the Lions fell from No. 8 to No. 13 in this week's NFL Power Rankings.
Here is what Wulf has to say about the Lions.
From The Athletic:
Who mistakenly ordered the Lions defense from the first half of the season to show up to Charlotte on Saturday? Carolina rushed for 320 yards in its 37-23 “ass-kicking,” including 240 in the first half alone. “We weren’t physically, mentally, emotionally ready today,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said after the game. One emotional letdown can be forgiven, even if the Lions no longer control their own destiny. With a 33 percent chance to make the playoffs, per Mock’s projections, things could be setting up for a winner-gets-in showdown with the Packers in Week 18.
Nation, where would you put the Lions in the Week 17 NFL Power Rankings?