That’s the Detroit Lions team we expected to see this season. A 52-21 drubbing of the Chicago Bears looks to have the Lions right back on track after their season-opening loss in Green Bay.
Most power ranks still had the Lions in the top 10, even after that Packers loss. Safe to say that is going to stick after the Lions dropped a 50-burger on their former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Where exactly does the media have them ranked? Let’s round up the various lists and find out.
USA Today: No. 10 (Last Week: 14)
From Nate Davis:
Ben who? During Sunday’s 52-point outburst against their former OC, the Lions averaged a team-record 8.8 yards per play under new coordinator John Morton.
ESPN: No. 5 (Last Week: 8)
From Eric Woodyard:
It goes without saying that the Lions struggled at Green Bay in the season opener, but Week 2 reminded the world that Goff and the Lions can still be dominant. Goff became the first quarterback in Lions history with an 80% completion percentage and five passing touchdowns in a game, while also passing Bobby Layne (118) for the second-most passing touchdowns in franchise history. If he receives solid protection from an offensive line that’s still adjusting to new players, there shouldn’t be a drop-off for Goff in his 10th NFL season
The Athletic: No. 6 (Last Week: 14)
From Josh Kendall and Chad Graff:
We were all a little worried when the Lions scored 13 points in Week 1 without Johnson coordinating the offense, but Detroit made a statement by putting 511 yards and 52 points on Johnson’s new team, the Chicago Bears. Jared Goff had five passing touchdowns and a passer rating of 156, his second highest as a Lion. It’s the fifth time a Goff-quarterbacked team has topped 50 points.
NFL.com: No. 6 (Last Week: 8)
From Eric Edholm:
The Lions appeared to act as if Ben Johnson was a traitor who must be dealt with accordingly, and he certainly took a beating from his former team, watching the monstrous offense he helped build crush Chicago’s defense on Sunday. On six straight possessions from the second through the fourth quarter, the Lions scored — five of them touchdowns. Whatever angst there was over the poor offensive showing in Green Bay, those worries are quelled for now. They scored 52 points. One of the best developments was that both Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams were highly active, involved and dangerous. The run game cooked early and allowed Detroit’s big-play threats to go to work. Great job by John Morton after a week of facing criticism for the state of his offense.
FOX Sports: No. 8 (Last Week: 11)
From Ralph Vacchiano:
That was a Dan Campbell-coached team at its best. Just when everyone thinks they’re dead after an Opening Day loss to Green Bay, they take it personal and smack the snot out of a division opponent, 52-21. Welcome back.
NBC Sports: No. 9 (Last Week: 11)
From Mike Florio:
Maybe the Lions should treat every game like a “must” win.
CBS Sports: No. 12 (Last Week: 11)
From Pete Prisco:
The Lions offense we saw against the Bears is the one we saw last year. Jared Goff was outstanding. Ben who?
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions power rankings roundup: Where Detroit ranks entering Week 3
Reporting by Billy Riccette, Lions Wire / Lions Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
