The Detroit Lions are mired in a three-game losing streak. And they continue to tumble down Dave Birkett’s NFL power rankings.
1. Rams (9-1)
Last game: Defeated the Seahawks, 36-31 | Previous ranking: 1 | The buzz: Resolve in a tough week keeps Rams atop these rankings.
2. Chiefs (9-1)
Last game: Defeated the Cardinals, 26-14 | Previous ranking: 3 | The buzz: The game of the year, Rams-Chiefs, goes to Mexico City on Monday night.
3. Saints (8-1)
Last game: Defeated the Bengals, 51-14 | Previous ranking: 4 | The buzz: Since giving up 48 in their opener, Saints have held five of eight opponents to 20 points or less.
4. Patriots (7-3)
Last game: Lost to the Titans, 34-10 | Previous ranking: 2 | The buzz: If the Patriots aren’t careful, they might miss out on a first-round bye for the first time in nine years.
5. Chargers (7-2)
Last game: Defeated the Raiders, 20-6 | Previous ranking: 6 | The buzz: Chargers only losses this year have come to the top two teams in these rankings.
6. Texans (6-3)
Last game: Bye week | Previous ranking: 7 | The buzz: Houston’s final two games against teams with winning records are the next two weeks.
7. Steelers (6-2-1)
Last game: Defeated the Panthers, 52-21 | Previous ranking: 8 | The buzz: With or without Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers could be headed for a lengthy playoff run.
8. Vikings (5-3-1)
Last game: Bye week | Previous ranking: 9 | The buzz: Difficult upcoming schedule includes five games vs. playoff contenders.
9. Bears (6-3)
Last game: Defeated the Lions, 34-22 | Previous ranking: 10 | The buzz: Winner of Sunday’s Chicago-Minnesota game takes control of NFC North.
10. Panthers (6-3)
Last game: Lost to the Steelers, 52-21 | Previous ranking: 5 | The buzz: Panthers have been a different team at home (5-0) and on the road (1-3) this year.
11. Washington (6-3)
Last game: Defeated the Buccaneers, 16-3 | Previous ranking: 13 | The buzz: High-powered passing attacks have been Washington’s Achilles heel in 2018.
12. Packers (4-4-1)
Last game: Defeated the Dolphins, 31-12 | Previous ranking: 15 | The buzz: About time the Packers gave Aaron Jones more carries.
13. Titans (5-4)
Last game: Defeated the Patriots, 34-10 | Previous ranking: 17 | The buzz: That Titans-Texans showdown Thanksgiving weekend could decide AFC South.
14. Seahawks (4-5)
Last game: Lost to the Rams, 36-31 | Previous ranking: 14 | The buzz: Seahawks have lost two straight since drubbing the Lions.
15. Cowboys (4-5)
Last game: Defeated the Eagles, 27-20 | Previous ranking: 19 | The buzz: When Ezekiel Elliott runs like he did Sunday night, the Cowboys can hang with anyone.
16. Eagles (4-5)
Last game: Lost to the Cowboys, 27-20 | Previous ranking: 11 | The buzz: So the Eagles gave up a third-round pick for Golden Tate then barely used him?
17. Bengals (5-4)
Last game: Lost to the Saints, 51-14 | Previous ranking: 12 | The buzz: Former Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin on the job hunt after mid-season firing.
18. Falcons (4-5)
Last game: Lost to the Browns, 28-16 | Previous ranking: 16 | The buzz: Last week’s loss to Cleveland could prove costly in playoff chase.
19. Ravens (4-5)
Last game: Bye week | Previous ranking: 18 | The buzz: If John Harbaugh is indeed out after this season, he should join his brother in Ann Arbor.
20. Dolphins (5-5)
Last game: Lost to the Packers, 31-12 | Previous ranking: 22 | The buzz: Dolphins seem like a house of cards ready to collapse.
21. Colts (4-5)
Last game: Defeated the Jaguars, 29-26 | Previous ranking: 25 | The buzz: Eric Ebron’s 10 touchdowns this year are one fewer than he had in his four seasons with the Lions combined.
22. Browns (3-6-1)
Last game: Defeated the Falcons, 28-16 | Previous ranking: 26 | The buzz: Browns are going to be a really intriguing team the next few seasons, promise.
23. Jaguars (3-6)
Last game: Lost to the Colts, 29-26 | Previous ranking: 20 | The buzz: Easily the NFL’s most disappointing team this year.
24. Broncos (3-6)
Last game: Bye week | Previous ranking: 24 | The buzz: Denver has cleaned up its run defense, allowing just 216 yards the last three games after giving up 270 or more in back-to-back weeks.
25. Lions (3-6)
Last game: Lost to the Bears, 34-22 | Previous ranking: 21 | The buzz: How loud will the boos be at Ford Field on Sunday?
26. Buccaneers (3-6)
Last game: Lost to Washington, 16-3 | Previous ranking: 23 | The buzz: Tampa is last in the NFL with a whopping minus-19 turnover margin.
27. Bills (3-7)
Last game: Defeated the Jets, 41-10 | Previous ranking: 31 | The buzz: Matt Barkley?!?
28. Cardinals (2-7)
Last game: Lost to the Chiefs, 26-14 | Previous ranking: 28 | The buzz: Cardinals-Raiders this week might be one of the most unwatchable games of the season.
29. Jets (3-7)
Last game: Lost to the Bills, 41-10 | Previous ranking: 27 | The buzz: Sam Darnold injury a blessing so he doesn’t have to play behind that offensive line.
30. Giants (2-7)
Last game: Defeated the 49ers, 27-23 | Previous ranking: 30 | The buzz: Saquon Barkley’s going to end up with 100 receptions this year thanks to Captain Checkdown.
31. 49ers (2-8)
Last game: Lost to the Giants, 27-23 | Previous ranking: 29 | The buzz: Just being honest: I’d like to see what Martin Mayhew could do with another crack at a GM job.
32. Raiders (1-8)
Last game: Lost to the Chargers, 20-6 | Previous ranking: 32 | The buzz: The Raiders are terrible.
Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Download our Lions Xtra app for free on Apple and Android!
