The Detroit Lions open the 2026 season with high expectations and feel good about how they’ve prepared for the regular season, but it appears most of the National media is going to need some convincing, as we can clearly see in our NFL Week 1 Power Rankings roundup.
Let’s take a look at where the national media believe the Lions stand entering the 2026 season in this week’s power rankings.
ESPN: 8 (Previous rank: 15)
From ESPN Staff, excerpt from Eric Woodyard:
This season is a success if … the Lions return to the postseason.
Detroit missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022 last season. The organization has committed over $1 billion in contracts and extensions over the past two years and is seeking a return on its investment.
Sports Illustrated: 8 (Previous rank: 18)
From Connor Orr:
Easy schedule + upgraded play-caller + a little bit more health and stability across the front seven = a nine win team from 2025 winning double-digit games in 2026. Certainly the secondary is a concern, but the way Detroit can deploy itself schematically, I’m less worried about the team getting gouged in the passing game. At the very least, the Lions can score enough to keep pace.
The Athletic: 9 (Previous rank: 17)
From Chad Graff and Josh Kendall:
Mock’s projected win total: 10.3
After missing the playoffs last season, the Lions will benefit from one of this year’s easiest schedules. The division will be tough, but they have a new offensive coordinator in Drew Petzing and more depth on the defensive line. Still, the secondary could have some struggles early due to injuries to Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, each of whom begins the season on the PUP list.
Yahoo Sports: 9 (Previous rank: 17)
From Frank Schwab:
The Lions traded David Montgomery and might regret it. Isiah Pacheco is on injured reserve with general manager Brad Holmes saying he is “hopeful” Pacheco returns this season. The current backups are Jacob Saylors and Sione Vaki. They have a combined nine carries for 29 yards in the NFL. The Lions desperately need Jahmyr Gibbs to stay healthy. They are also very thin in the secondary to start the season.
USA Today: 11 (Previous rank: 18)
From Nate Davis:
If you subscribe to the theory that good teams are strong up the middle … then this one could be in trouble with C Cade Mays and starting safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph all at least a month away from playing. At least the Lions can lean on RB Jahmyr Gibbs, though there’s zero safety net behind a bona fide star who’s played fewer than 60% of this offense’s snaps through the first three seasons of his career.
NFL.com: 15 (Previous rank: 14)
From Nick Shook:
The sidelining of center Cade Mays (wrist) has me feeling uneasy about this offense as Detroit embarks on a new campaign. Tight end Sam LaPorta followed up back surgery with a hip injury in August, which isn’t great, but I think the Lions still have the edge over the Saints in Week 1.
Sporting News: 15 (Previous rank: 16)
From Vinnie Iyer:
The Lions are facing their first real adversity in the Dan Campbell revival era, having missed the playoffs at 9-8 last season. The defense remains a work in progress behind Aidan Hutchinson. The offense is headed toward being more pass-reliant with Jared Goff.
The Ringer: 16 (Previous rank: 16)
From Diante Lee:
This might be the most banged-up team in football entering Week 1. Safeties Brian Branch (torn Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (bone bruise) still haven’t returned to practice after season-ending injuries last year. Cornerback Terrion Arnold was waived earlier in the offseason as a result of his arrest on eight felony charges, including armed robbery and kidnapping, in Florida. Backup running back Isiah Pacheco is dealing with a back injury that landed him on IR, and the Lions don’t have enough quality running back depth behind Jahmyr Gibbs for me to feel good.
The Lions have been marred by injury issues like these the past few seasons, but I refuse to rank them lower than 16th because their championship potential is still evident. They could have the best offense in football. Receiver Jameson Williams is the Detroit offensive player I’m most excited to watch this season. If he lights up defenses deep downfield to start the season, the attention opponents will have to devote to him will open up the offense for everyone else.
CBS Sports: 19 (Previous rank: 18)
From Pete Prisco:
They will again score a lot of points on offense, but there are issues on defense. The secondary is a mess.
