Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Detroit Lions Week 5 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 5 roundup for the Detroit Lions in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 8

Biggest issue on defense: Rushing the passer

The pass rush has certainly improved from the past two seasons, but the Lions' pass rush win rate is 32.3% through four games -- which ranks 29th in the league according to ESPN Analytics. However, Detroit has shown improvement: Over the past two games, the Lions' defense has registered 12 of its 13 sacks on the season, with second-year edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson totaling 3.5 in that span. The Lions' pass rush appears to be figuring it out and will look to build its momentum against Carolina this week. -- Eric Woodyard

NFL.com -- Rank: 7

It's a new era in Motown. The Lions smashed the Packers at Lambeau Field last Thursday, then found out Friday that 2022 first-rounder Jameson Williams would be returning early from suspension. They officially became division favorites before the Williams news, and they're potentially adding exactly what they need in the speedy wide receiver. But Williams also returns with much to prove, given his lofty draft status, limited production and a nagging penchant for being unavailable. One thing to remember: He suffered a hamstring injury in August, played only preseason game and couldn't communicate with the team during the first three weeks of his suspension, so expectations must be adjusted. But now the runway for him to be reacclimated is longer -- and begins right when Detroit embarks on a reasonable slice of the schedule, even with competitive road games at Tampa and Baltimore on tap this month.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 9

Going to Green Bay and blowing out the Packers was an impressive showing. That defense is getting better by the week.

USA Today -- Rank: 5

They've scored at least 20 points in 13 straight games. That streak should only get easier to sustain now that WR Jameson Williams has been reinstated after his gambling suspension was reduced.

The Athletic -- Rank: 7

Nothing says chaos like the team with the third-longest playoff drought in the league sprinting toward the postseason. The Lions, who have won 11 of their last 14 games dating to last season, gave the ball to David Montgomery 32 times Thursday night (for 121 yards). That's the heaviest single-game workload of the season for a running back and the eighth-highest of the last five seasons, according to TruMedia.

FOX -- Rank: 9

What a statement to go up to Lambeau Field and not just win, but dominate. The Lions officially won by 14, but if you watched the game you know it barely felt that close — and Detroit blew Green Bay off the field in the first half. The offense is getting Jameson Williams back from suspension, too. This team looks every bit like an NFC contender.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 7

Thursday night's result can get lost in the chaos of Sunday's games, but what the Lions did at the Packers was every bit as impressive as any team's win in Week 4, outside of perhaps the Bills. The most important part was how well the defense played. We all assumed the Lions would have a good offense. If their defense has improved as much as it appears early this season, the Lions aren't far behind the top few teams in the NFC.

PFT -- Rank: 8

The division is theirs. Can they capture the No. 1 seed?

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