The Detroit Lions (3-7-1) appear to be nearing rock bottom and their Week 13 national NFL Power Rankings reflect that. After yet another disastrous loss — this time to a bad Washington team — the current situation in Detroit has left a sour taste in the mouths of analysts.
Let’s take a look at where the Lions stand in the national eye.
USA Today: 30 (Previous: 28)
“Why wouldn’t they shut down Matthew Stafford? Maybe that comes next week, when they’ll likely be officially eliminated from playoff picture.” — Nate Davis
Touchdown Wire: 27 (Previous: 22)
“In NFL history, only one non-strike team has held the lead in each of its first 11 games, and won three or fewer — the 2004 Chiefs. That Chiefs team started their season 3-8 and wound up with a 7-9 record, so we suppose head coach Matt Patricia could tell his team that the 2019 Lions, who have now joined that short list, are capable of going on a nice run. However, the opposing arguments are comprehensive. Backup quarterback Jeff Driskel was completely lost against the Redskins’ defense (which is a severe indictment in and of itself), completing 20 of 33 passes for 207 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Detroit’s run game is nonexistent, and its man-based pass defense has fallen apart in a relative sense this season. This franchise fired Jim Caldwell as its head coach after the 2017 season because two straight 9-7 seasons weren’t good enough. What does the Ford family make of Patricia’s 9-17-1 mark through almost two seasons?” — Doug Farrar
NFL: 28 (Previous: 25)
“A season that begin with promise has descended into ugliness. A 19-16 loss to the lowly Redskins is the seventh defeat in eight games for Detroit, which has gone into a nosedive with Matthew Stafford out of the lineup with a back injury. Jeff Driskel had some positive moments early in his stint as Stafford’s understudy, but he had a bad game against Washington, throwing interceptions in each of Detroit’s final possessions to seal the loss. And while the defense wasn’t the culprit on Sunday, this remains a unit that has given up nearly 29 points per game over the last eight games. Throw in some poor special teams, and Matt Patricia appears to be in a fair bit of trouble. The second-year coach probably needs a strong finish for a chance at another season on the sideline. A playoff stakes-free Thanksgiving matchup against the Bears is up next.” — Dan Hanzus
ESPN: 22 (Previous: 21)
“What they’re thankful for: WRs Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. Even in a lowlight of a season, Golladay and Jones are showing to be a potent receiving duo. Both receivers have a chance to top 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2019 — remarkable considering Matthew Stafford has been out the past three weeks. The Lions have both players, as well as Stafford, under contract in 2020, so there is something to build on offensively in Detroit, even in a season going nowhere.” — Michael Rothstein
CBS Sports: 29 (Previous 23)
“Without Matt Stafford, they just aren’t good team. Is Matt Patricia safe? Should he be?” — Pete Prisco
Sports Illustrated: 28 (Previous: 24)
“Remember when this team was “better than their record indicated?” Yeah, sorry about that. No Stafford didn’t help, backup Jeff Driskel threw three picks, the defense went home halfway through the fourth quarter and Matt Patricia’s bunch is officially punched out for 2019.” — MMQB staff
Sporting News: 26 (Previous: 23)
“The Lions can think about what could have been the past three weeks had Matthew Stafford been able to continue his career-best play, but as they’ve found something with their defense and running game, they’ve been let down by Jeff Driskel’s play. Will that be enough to give Matt Patricia a free pass in Year 2?” — Vinnie Iyer