Don’t look now, but the Detroit Lions are back in the NFC playoff picture. The Lions have surged up to ninth place in the conference playoff race thanks to winning four of their last five games. The rise in the standings has elevated Detroit in the weekly NFL power polls, too.
At USA TODAY, the Lions are back up in the top 20. And the commentary hints at something even bigger: the playoffs. Detroit is No. 18 this week,
Despite a horrendous start to the season, the remaining schedule very much suggests this surging squad should get to eight or nine wins … which might allow them to sneak into postseason.
The Las Vegas Raiders, who have won three in a row after starting 2-7, are one spot below and got the exact same commentary.
Over at ESPN, the Lions powered up to 20th. The spotlight on Jamaal Williams and the team’s top-ranked red zone offense helps justify the rise in the rankings from No. 23 a week ago. Detroit rose two spots to 22nd at the Sporting News.
At CBS Sports, vision of playoff potential danced the Lions up to 19th. Detroit is 20th at NBC Sports. The highest ranking comes courtesy of The Athletic, where the Lions cracked the top half of the rankings at No. 16.
