NFL Week 18 power rankings: Lions continue to slide after loss to Vikings

The Detroit Lions proceed to drift further distant from nan speech of nan league’s champion successful this week’s roundup of NFL powerfulness rankings.

After losing their 3rd consecutive crippled past Thursday to nan Minnesota Vikings, which knocked them retired of playoff contention, NFL writers now rank nan Lions betwixt No. 15 and No. 17.

Writers person focused their disapproval this week connected whether nan Lions are genuinely fresh to compete for a Super Bowl aliases if this play was conscionable a fluke. Despite their 8-8 record, metrics still show their discourtesy is among nan NFL’s best.

Here’s wherever nan Lions guidelines aft their Christmas Day nonaccomplishment to nan Vikings.

ESPN

Rank: 15

Last week: 14

“The backfield duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery -- aka “Sonic and Knuckles” -- sewage disconnected to a record-setting commencement together successful 2023 and 2024. While astir splitting carries, they became nan first brace of teammates successful NFL history to scope astatine slightest 2,000 scrimmage yards and 20 touchdowns successful their first 25 games together.

“However, arsenic Gibbs took connected a bigger threat count successful 2025 (661 snaps compared pinch Montgomery’s 366), location was a stark opposition to their rushing onslaught successful wins versus losses. In wins, they person averaged northbound of 170 rushing yards and 5.8 yards per rush. In losses, those averages driblet to 69.4 and 3.1, respectively.” -- Eric Woodyard

CBS Sports

Rank: 17

Last week: same

“Their play has to beryllium considered a awesome disappointment. No playoffs is simply a bad look. Are they connected nan measurement down, aliases was this conscionable an aberration?” -- Pete Prisco

Pro Football Talk

Rank: 17

Last week: 15

“Windows unfastened quickly; they adjacent moreover faster.”

USA Today

Rank: 18

Last week: 14

“A squad that hadn’t had a losing streak since 2022 could extremity this play connected a four-game tailspin − 1 that would time off nan Lions beneath .500 for nan first clip since 2021." -- Nate Davis

Yahoo Sports

Rank: 17

Last week: 15

“Can nan Lions bounce backmost successful 2026? Their precocious metrics don’t bespeak nan existent disappointment of Detroit’s season. The Lions are 3rd successful DVOA down nan Seahawks and Rams.

“They’re 10th successful violative EPA and 13th successful protect EPA, which is respectable. Their constituent differential of +65 doesn’t fresh a .500 team. It will beryllium easy for everyone to talk themselves into Detroit being a squad that rebounds and makes nan playoffs adjacent season.” -- Frank Schwab

The Ringer

Rank: 16

Last week: 14

“Quarterback Jared Goff is successful a recurring nightmare against Brian Flores. Goff’s disastrous crippled against nan Dolphins successful 2020 precipitated nan extremity of his tenure pinch nan Rams, and he put up a likewise atrocious capacity connected Christmas against nan Flores-coordinated Vikings defense.

Games for illustration these springiness america a clear position of nan paradox Goff traps a franchise in. He’s excessively bully (and his statement is excessively expensive) for Detroit to see replacing him, but you tin ne'er beryllium judge that he won’t melt down for illustration he did successful Week 17. Detroit’s discourtesy needs an fantabulous play caller successful 2026, aliases other we’ll spot much of Goff’s flaws going forward." -- Diante Lee

Arizona Republic

Rank: 17

Last week: 15

“Jared Goff had 2 passes intercepted and mislaid 3 fumbles against nan Vikings successful a must-win crippled for Detroit, which is now conscionable 8-8. Yikes.” -- Jeremy Cluff

Sports Illustrated

Rank: N/A

Last week: 17

“A nonaccomplishment to Minnesota connected Christmas eliminated nan Lions from playoff contention. There could beryllium immoderate changes -- particularly connected nan violative coaching unit -- for this franchise successful nan offseason.”

• Lions fable snubbed arsenic Hall of Fame finalists are announced
• Ex-Lions QB Matthew Stafford keeps rising connected all-time NFL list
• Dan Campbell makes stance clear connected resting Lions players vs. Bears
• Lions still spot rookie arsenic imaginable halfway but will hold until offseason to explore
• Lions connection latest update connected Amon-Ra St. Brown’s wounded status