The Detroit Lions enjoyed Week 5 off after an impressive win in Week 4 over the Seattle Seahawks during a "Monday Night Football" game that saw the offense absolutely explode en route to its best performance of the 2024 season.
Everything was clicking for Detroit on offense, as quarterback Jared Goff played a perfect game and even caught a touchdown pass from wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. As if that wasn't enough to be happy about, the Lions also snapped the Seahawks' six-game winning streak over them.
Looking ahead to the Week 6 slate, Detroit draws a road game against the Dallas Cowboys, who enter the matchup with a head of steam following their Week 5 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night.
The NFC North has been incredibly competitive through five weeks. The Lions are sitting in second place in the division behind the 5-0 Minnesota Vikings, and the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears are right on the Lions' heels at 3-2.
With the Lions idle, you would think they wouldn't move in the power rankings of experts, but that is not the case in some of them. Here's a look at where Detroit sits coming out of the bye in Week 6.
NFL Power Rankings Week 6: Detroit Lions
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 4 (-1)
Iyer: "The Lions are enjoying a bye while adding more balance and explosiveness to their offense, which has raised the defensive playmaking. They should be even more put together after the week off."
Taylor Wirth, NBC Sports: 3 (no change)
Wirth: "Jared Goff and the offense are firing on all cylinders but can the defense hold strong for four quarters? Another big test in Week 6 against Dallas."
Brian Blewis, Pro Football Network: 2 (-1)
Blewis: "While the Lions’ defense remains a concern, especially coming off their most recent outing in which they allowed 516 yards from scrimmage, this is perhaps the most complete offensive unit in the NFL. As talented as the Lions are, the NFC North division has proven to be a much more competitive division than expected. The Vikings have emerged as legitimate contenders, meanwhile the Packers and Bears are each 3-2 entering Week 6. Detroit might still be the favorites to win the division, but winning their second consecutive NFC North title will be no easy task.
Matt Johnson, Sportsnaut: 3 (no change)
Johnson: "The Detroit Lions passed their first big test of the season with a Monday Night Football victory over the Seattle Seahawks before the Week 5 bye. Now, a well-rested team heads into a Lions schedule that includes matchups against the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans in the next five weeks. If Detroit comes out of that with three wins, this deserves to be called the best team in the NFL. For now, we wait."
Peter Dewey, Sports Illustrated: 4 (+1)
Dewey: "The Lions were on their bye in Week 5."
