Despite seeing their three-game winning streak end on Sunday in Detroit, the Green Bay Packers enjoyed another jump up the USA Today NFL power rankings. In fact, Nate Davis of USA Today had the Packers rise to No. 12, the team's highest ranking of the 2026 season.
The return of Josh Jacobs and the impending return of Micah Parsons could propel the Packers forward despite all the troubles plaguing Matt LaFleur's team through seven games.
From Davis: "Given their circumstances, lotta room for upward mobility here − especially if OLB Micah Parsons rejoins RB Josh Jacobs on the field in the near future."
The Packers had a golden chance to steal a win over the Lions at Ford Field, but two missed field goals from inside 40 yards and a blown opportunity
late in the game -- featuring a dropped touchdown pass and a blocked field goal -- allowed Dan Campbell's team to drive the field and score the game-winning points as time expired. The Lions held steady as the No. 11 team in the rankings.
The Packers will face one of the week's biggest fallers in the Carolina Panthers, who went from the No. 10 team to No. 19 after losing 43-13 at home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Green Bay will welcome the Panthers to Lambeau Field, where Carolina beat the hosts in a low-scoring game last season, on "Thursday Night Football" to open Week 8.
Can the Packers get back in the win column before a tough stretch of games?
Packers power rankings by week (USA Today)
- Week 1: No. 16
- Week 2: No. 22
- Week 3: No. 20
- Week 4: No. 26
- Week 5: No. 26
- Week 6: No. 19
- Week 7: No. 17
- Week 8: No. 12
Here's where the Packers rank in other national power rankings entering Week 8:
ESPN: No. 15 (down 4 spots)
From Rob Demovsky on best offseason addition: "Gannon, who took over after Jeff Hafley got the Dolphins' coaching job, has the Packers back to taking the ball away. They lead the NFL in forced turnovers (13) and interceptions (nine). They've already topped their interception total from all of last season (seven) and nearly matched their takeaway total (14). Two years ago, the Packers had the fourth-most takeaways with 31, including 17 interceptions. But they slipped in Hafley's final season. Gannon has also used disguises and blitzes to manufacture pressure without injured edge rusher Micah Parsons."
Yahoo Sports: No. 15 (down 1 spot)
From Frank Schwab: "Officiating or not, the Packers made key errors. Josh Jacobs was good in his return, but he dropped a pass in the end zone in the fourth quarter. Trey Smack missed two short field goals, one that was partially blocked right after Jacobs' drop. Matt LaFleur passed on a field goal to go for it on fourth-and-4 in the first half. Green Bay put up only 17 points on a bad Lions defense. And the officiating didn't help either."
CBS Sports: No. 13 (down 1 spot)
From Pete Prisco: "Their winning streak came to an end against the Lions in what was a sloppy game. The injuries on the offensive line are a big concern."
The Athletic: No. 16 (down 3 spots)
From Josh Kendall and Chad Graff on something spooky: "Josh Jacobs returned to the lineup in a move that should have helped lift the league’s worst rushing attack (based on EPA per attempt). Instead, he managed just 36 yards on 11 carries. Jacobs was better in the passing game (five receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown), but it’s tough to run an offense without a respectable rushing attack."
FOX Sports: No. 18 (down 4 spots)
From Ralph Vacchiano: "The Packers were a couple of missed kicks away from beating the Lions and moving up in these rankings, but they just couldn’t make the big stop or the big offensive play when it mattered most. QB Jordan Love is still playing well, and he’s got RB Josh Jacobs back now to boost their rushing attack. And their defense is playing sneaky good too. So the Pack has it all … except that they’re 4-3 and that puts them in last place in their tough division. So they remain in the middle of the pack for now."
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Did Packers rise or fall in NFL power rankings following loss to Lions?
