The Detroit Lions have been telling the league they belong among the NFL’s elite. After Monday night’s gritty 38-30 win in Baltimore, the power rankings finally agree.
Detroit has climbed into the top five across nearly every major outlet’s list, with some placing them as high as No. 3 overall. It’s the latest sign that Dan Campbell’s group is not just a good story, they’re a serious contender.
Week 4 Power Rankings Snapshot
Here’s where major outlets have the Lions ranked following their win over the Ravens: (H/T to Pride of Detroit for compiling the Rankings)
| Outlet | Current Ranking | Last Week’s Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN | 3 | 5 |
| Sports Illustrated | 3 | 5 |
| The Ringer | 3 | 6 |
| NFL.com | 3 | 6 |
| Yahoo Sports | 5 | 5 |
| The Athletic | 5 | 6 |
| USA Today | 6 | 10 |
| CBS Sports | 6 | 12 |
| Sporting News | 7 | 8 |
When you’re consistently showing up in the top five, you’re no longer a plucky up-and-comer. You’re part of the NFL’s top tier.
Defense Making Headlines
The Lions’ seven-sack beatdown of Lamar Jackson turned heads everywhere. NFL.com’s Eric Edholm put it bluntly: “The Lions were the tougher, smarter and better-prepared team… Four rushing TDs in Baltimore? Seven sacks of Lamar Jackson? Three-for-three on fourth down? Elevated stuff.”
Aidan Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad led the charge, proving that this defense can wreck games even while key players like Marcus Davenport and Alim McNeill recover.
Offense Silencing Critics
On the other side of the ball, John Morton has quickly quieted concerns about life after Ben Johnson. Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and the two-headed rushing attack of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs powered an offense that went toe-to-toe with Baltimore’s physicality — and won.
As The Ringer’s Diante Lee put it: “After Monday night, there shouldn’t be any more confusion over whether this team can contend.”
Super Bowl Contender Status?
Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports might have summed it up best: “The Lions have 90 points in their past two games… The Lions are still a Super Bowl contender.”
It’s only Week 4, but the Lions are doing more than winning games. They’re proving they can beat good teams, on the road, in prime time, while still growing into their new identity under Morton and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.
The Bottom Line
The Detroit Lions are no longer the hunter, they’re being hunted. And after pushing around the Ravens on national television, the league knows it. The ascent is real, and if these power rankings are any indication, it’s only just beginning.
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