Expectations and hype around the Detroit Lions are higher than it’s been in years. Not everyone is buying into the team’s ascension into one of the NFL’s top teams just yet, however.
In the preseason ranking from Touchdown Wire’s Natalie Miller, the Lions slot in at No. 14 of 32. That’s a lower spot than most current power polls and reflects the memory of the team’s 1-6 start a year ago not being completely erased by the 8-2 finish.
Miller writes,
The Detroit rebirth continues from the end of last season, where this Lions team was able to run off a 5-1 finish and will carry that same energy over to the 2024 season. With superstar offensive coordinator Ben Johnson returning, and the ever energized Dan Campbell leading the charge, this Detroit team looks to make a ton of noise on their way to the playoffs this season.
Of note, the Minnesota Vikings are ranked 12th here, one of the rare instances where the defending NFC North champions are slotted above the emerging Lions. Division rivals Chicago and Green Bay are well back at 23rd and 25th, respectively.
