The Detroit Lions are riding high after their definitive win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on Sunday, October 19, which ended in a 24-9 final score. Now, the Lions have a record of 5-2 going into their bye week and are being talked about as one of the top teams in the NFL.
Looking at NFL Week 8 Power Rankings, ESPN has the Lions at No. 1, and so does NFL’s official website. In a piece published on Tuesday, October 21, Eric Edholm of the NFL’s site says of the Lions, “Jared Goff‘s pick before halftime helped gift the Buccaneers points, but the Lions’ offense responded with a touchdown on its first drive of the third quarter and the defense played incredibly well all night, especially considering the circumstances.”
He adds, “The Lions might have taken the Chiefs’ best punch in Week 6, but they took out their frustrations on a good Bucs team that they might see again in January.”
So, experts agree that the Detroit Lions are on top. As it turns out, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown made some history during Sunday’s game, and the Lions gave him the spotlight during the bye week.
Detroit Lions Wide Receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown Makes History
On Tuesday, October 21, the Lions shared a post on X and their other socials saying, “Primetime players make primetime plays,” and noting that St. Brown was the first player in franchise history to have touchdown receptions in four-straight Monday Night Football games. That’s a huge accomplishment, and it’s fantastic to see him get some recognition.
Running back Jahmyr Gibbs, of course, also had a massive game. He clocked 218 yards and two rushing touchdowns, according to ESPN. The Lions are now 13-4 following a loss since the start of the 2022 season, which is the second-best record in NFL over that timespan after the Kansas City Chiefs (11-2), according to ESPN Research.
“Gibbs broke free up the middle for the longest run of his NFL career with a 78-yard touchdown with 5:51 left in the first half,” Eric Woodyard of ESPN said in a Tuesday, October 21 story. “Gibbs’ top speed was 22.2 mph, the fastest rushing TD by an offensive ball carrier this season, per Next Gen Stats. He is the only player over the past three seasons to reach 22 mph on a rushing touchdown, and he has done it twice now, including on a 70-yard touchdown versus the Titans in 2024.”
Detroit Lions at the Top (Again)
We already talked about the Lions topping ESPN and the NFL’s Week 8 Power Rankings. Well, Fox Sports also has the Lions at No. 1. In a piece out Tuesday, October 21, Ralph Vacchiano says of the Lions, “The Lions sure bounced back nicely from their loss in Kansas City with a win over the Bucs. They aren’t perfect, but they can do it all and may be the most complete team in the NFL.”
Alternative Fix Sports also has the Lions at No. 1 on their power rankings, with Amber Reed noting, “the secondary was thin, injuries were mounting — but the Lions responded anyway.”
So, the Lions are the team to beat. Their next game is against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, November 2.
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