Sunday at Ford Field was not a leisurely afternoon for the Detroit Lions, but the performance was good enough to secure their seventh victory of the season and a firm spot among the NFL’s best.
In this week’s power rankings roundup, the Lions find themselves as the eighth-best team on most writers’ boards across the country following a 34-27 overtime victory over the New York Giants in Week 12.
There are concerns about the Lions continuing to go back and forth every other week between wins and losses as the postseason approaches. Criticism also falls on the offensive line for its inability to protect quarterback Jared Goff.
However, one common theme this week is the praise for Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who finished with a spectacular 264 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns -- one of which was a 69-yard house call on the first play of overtime.
Here’s a look at where NFL writers across the country rank the Lions heading into their Week 13 holiday game against the Green Bay Packers.
The Athletic
Rank: 8
Last week: same
“Thursday’s Thanksgiving game should be a ton of fun with this high-powered Lions offense against a good Packers defense. After a dud against the Eagles in Week 11, Jahmyr Gibbs carried the offense, running for 219 yards and two touchdowns and adding another 45 yards and a touchdown through the air.” -- Chad Graff and Josh Kendall
ESPN
Rank: 8
Last week: same
“After three straight Thanksgiving losses as coach of the Lions, Dan Campbell finally ended the team’s seven-year holiday drought last season. With the win, the 11-1 Lions also got off to their best start in franchise history. For quarterback Jared Goff, it was a ‘bucket list’ moment, as he enjoyed a turkey leg following 221 passing yards and two touchdown passes. Goff was joined by teammates David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Reader and Al-Quadin Muhammad in great spirits.” -- Eric Woodyard
CBS Sports
Rank: 8
Last week: 10
“They rallied to beat the Giants at home, but the close game is not a good look against a bad team. They have to be better this week against the Packers.” -- Pete Prisco
Pro Football Talk
Rank: 8
Last week: 9
“The Vikings showed the league how to defend Jared Goff.” -- Mike Florio
Bleacher Report
Rank: 9
Last week: 8
“The Detroit Lions didn’t lose Sunday because they don’t lose consecutive games—the team has peeled off 14 straight wins following a loss.
However, the postseason is a single-elimination tournament, and it’s getting more difficult by the week to imagine these Lions making a deep playoff run.
The offense remains loaded. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs had approximately 912 total yards and 11 touchdowns in another stellar effort against the Giants and wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown caught nine passes for 149 yards and a score.
However, the Detroit defense gave up north of 500 total yards to a Giants team starting a third-string quarterback and short its No. 1 running back and wide receiver.
Taking care of business at home against the Packers on Thanksgiving would be a good springboard into a stretch run where just one of their last six opponents is currently under .500. That will tell us all a lot more about this team’s chances of finally playing in a Super Bowl." -- Gary Davenport
USA Today
Rank: 9
Last week: 10
“RB Jahmyr Gibbs has certainly benefited from Dan Campbell’s play selection − now averaging more than 20 touches, 194 yards from scrimmage and two TDs per game over the past three weeks." -- Nate Davis
Sports Illustrated
Rank: 6
Last week: 8
“The Lions were briefly trapped in the Jameis Winston vortex, a kind of siren song that has chewed up and spat out strong teams. But true to their character, the team managed to survive and nab the all-too-predictable gutting interception that Winston was going to inevitably lay up. Detroit’s offense takes almost no deep shots despite having a troika of excellent deep ball wide receivers. I think there is still another evolution to this team in 2025.” -- Connor Orr
Fox Sports
Rank: 9
Last week: same
“They put on an offensive show against the Giants, and even got 237 yards on the ground. But giving up 517 yards to that Giants offense and needing overtime to beat them? Yuck.” -Ralph Vacchiano