Thursday, December 24, 2020

Detroit Lions Week 16 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2020 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Detroit Lions rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 28.6 (29th)
  • Best ranking: 25th (ESPN)
  • Worst ranking: 30th (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 16 roundup for the Lions in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.

The Athletic -- Rank: 30

Wish: A head coach who fans and players actually like. This is never a requirement. If you're a bad-tempered grump who wins, everyone will learn to like you. But coming off the Matt Patricia experience, wouldn't it be nice to go in the other direction and find someone who can connect with players? The Lions are one of three teams that currently have a head coach and a GM opening.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 29

They are already conducting general manager interviews, and whoever gets the job will be facing a tough task to turn it around. Will Matt Stafford be a part of it?

USA Today -- Rank: 30

Hear the one about the special teams coach who went rogue and decided on his own to call a fake punt? Yep, the latest goings-on from Motown.

ESPN -- Rank: 25

Most underrated star: P Jack Fox

Defensive end Romeo Okwara is another worthy candidate, but Fox has had a phenomenal rookie season. He has averaged 49.5 yards per punt and a net punting average of 45.5 yards. As of now, his gross average yardage is the No. 11 all-time, single-season mark in NFL history, and his net punting average is third all time. He has flipped fields with regularity and been an asset mere months after winning a close battle with Arryn Siposs in training camp. Now he looks like a long-term solution at the position and represents one area the team's new general manager and coach don't have to be concerned with. -- Michael Rothstein

NFL.com -- Rank: 29

Matthew Stafford is one tough dude. The veteran quarterback knew the Lions needed a win on Sunday to keep their faint playoff hopes alive, so he decided to play through a painful rib injury sustained a week earlier against the Packers. Stafford delivered a strong performance despite his physical issues, but it wasn't near enough for a Lions team that was outclassed in a 46-25 loss to the Titans. There will be waves of speculation surrounding Stafford and his future this offseason, but the Lions would be wise to put the lion's share of their focus on how to fix their putrid defense. It was exposed again by an explosive Titans offense, which piled up 463 yards and six touchdowns in Detroit's ninth loss of the season.

Previous update: Detroit Lions Week 15 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

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