Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions' #14 ranking at 8-5 appears conservative given their record, but likely reflects concerns about the strength of their victories and consistency issues. While their 8-5 record matches the Indianapolis Colts, the Lions may have struggled against tougher opponents or shown vulnerability in key areas like defense or late-game execution that has kept them from climbing higher in the rankings. The Lions' main strength appears to be their offensive capability, but their ranking suggests they may have defensive weaknesses or have benefited from a softer schedule compared to teams like the 9-4 Chicago Bears who sit higher in the standings. Their similar record to the Colts but potentially weaker strength of schedule or head-to-head results could explain why they're grouped with teams that have losing records like the 7-6 Steelers. To improve their playoff positioning, the Lions need to prove themselves against higher-caliber opponents and tighten up any defensive deficiencies that may be holding them back. Securing quality wins down the stretch and demonstrating they can compete with division leaders will be crucial for both their playoff chances and moving up in the power rankings.
| Rank | Team | Record | Rating | Point Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #12 |
Chicago Bears
|
9-4 | 56.29 | -1 |
| #13 |
Pittsburgh Steelers
|
7-6 | 55.52 | -3 |
| #14 |
Detroit Lions
|
8-5 | 51.02 | +90 |
| #15 |
Indianapolis Colts
|
8-5 | 49.16 | +91 |
| #16 |
Carolina Panthers
|
7-6 | 46.60 | -50 |