Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions' #16 ranking appears justified given their 8-7 record places them in the middle tier of NFL teams, though the absence of notable quality wins suggests they may have struggled against stronger opponents while potentially padding their record against weaker competition. Their .533 winning percentage puts them in playoff contention territory, but without marquee victories to bolster their resume, they lack the signature wins that would elevate them higher in power rankings despite their solid record. The Lions' main weakness appears to be their inability to rise to the occasion in big games, as evidenced by having "no major wins" - a critical flaw that makes them vulnerable against playoff-caliber teams and questions their ceiling as a franchise. To secure a playoff position and improve their ranking, Detroit needs to prove they can compete with elite competition by capturing statement victories against top-tier opponents, while maintaining consistency against teams they're expected to beat to avoid damaging losses that could derail their postseason hopes.
| Rank | Team | Record | Rating | Point Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #14 |
Carolina Panthers
|
8-7 | 50.36 | -50 |
| #15 |
Baltimore Ravens
|
7-8 | 49.42 | +11 |
| #16 |
Detroit Lions
|
8-7 | 48.20 | +78 |
| #17 |
Indianapolis Colts
|
8-7 | 47.85 | +68 |
| #18 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
7-8 | 46.25 | -30 |