When thinking about the 2024 Detroit Lions, you are likely to think of phrases such as “close, but no cigar,” “not quite,” and, “just out of reach.” The 15-2 squad went from Super Bowl contenders to barely hanging on by a thread as a result of injuries pouring on and into the NFC Divisional round. In 2025, Detroit is looking to turn that feeling on its head, and finally reach the pinnacle of football success.
To get there, they’ll have to impress in the regular season once again and stay healthy throughout. Easier said than done, to be sure. But, there are plenty of factors in their control, and some that aren’t. The latter is what knocks them just out of the top five of Sayre Bedinger’s latest power rankings ahead of Week 1 for NFL Spin Zone.
“I still really like the Detroit Lions this year. Let me just preface by saying that. There is no denying this team’s overall level of talent on both sides of the ball. But there is also no denying that losing Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn is going to be a factor worth watching over the course of a long season. We saw how much that hurt the Eagles after the 2022 season. The Lions also have made big changes on the offensive line. They have injuries piling up defensively already this offseason. It’s fair to be skeptical of this team right now.”
Lions land in 6th in Week 1 power rankings
The injuries that have already inundated the Lions ahead of this season include those to Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeil, as well as to Malcolm Rodriguez, rookie Ahmed Hassanein, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Josh Paschal, and rookie Dan Jackson. There are enough names here to form a defensive unit, it feels like.
Detroit is expected to still roster one of the strongest defensive units in the NFL. Terrion Arnold has made strides as the teams’ CB1, and the addition of D.J. Reed alongside him will only support him in that endeavor. Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph anchor a seriously scary safety room, while Amik Robertson floats in the secondary as another formidable pass protector.
On the D-line, we’ve already heard more than enough from head coach Dan Campbell about his confidence there. Aidan Hutchinson is the obvious cornerstone there, with Marcus Davenport, DJ Reader, rookie Tyleik Williams, and linebackers Alex Anzalone and Jack Campbell providing extra “oomph.”
It is very fair to be worried about this iteration of the Lions, led by Campbell, Kelvin Sheppard, and John Morton – all of which continue to draw praise from Lions players for their leadership in a tough situation. However, Detroit has a major plus on their side compared to other contenders in these power rankings: consistency in their roster.
The schedule is bleak for Detroit, but it’s one game at a time. To kick off Week 1 at 6th in these power rankings considering all of the wonky changes that could hamper the Lions is not a bad shake at all.
