The Detroit Lions are eyeing a bounce-back 2026 campaign after suffering a down year in 2025. Dan Campbell's squad missed the playoffs last season and lost four of its last six games to finish last in the NFC North.
Detroit will be looking to put 2025 behind them and compete for a Super Bowl this year. The talent is in place, as the Lions' offense should return as a top unit, and the defense could be formidable if the secondary holds up.
Detroit has a roster that is capable of going toe-to-toe with anyone in the league, but the latest NFL power rankings don't show Campbell's group much respect.
Lions Under Packers and Bears in NFL.com Power Rankings
NFL.com's Nick Shook released preseason power rankings earlier this week and ranked the Lions No. 14. Detroit came in lower than its division rivals, the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. Shook had Green Bay at No. 13, and Chicago slotted at No. 10, while the Minnesota Vikings were beneath all its NFC North foes at No. 18.
The Lions, Packers, and Bears are all pretty evenly matched, and with the Vikings also having promise this year with Kyler Murraynow at quarterback, the NFC North figures to be one of the most competitive divisions in the sport once again. Though Detroit has an argument for being the top team in the North entering the season, Chicago is the defending division champion, and Green Bay swept the Lions last year, so some level of respect has to be shown to both squads.
Detroit should use these power rankings as bulletin board material for the season. It seems like many have forgotten that the Lions were the No. 1 seed in the NFC two seasons ago and, three years ago, were a half away from the Super Bowl. Detroit is more than capable of getting back to that level, but the pieces must come together all at once in 2026.
Overall, the NFC North is one of the most challenging divisions to predict. Any of the four teams has a chance to take home the crown, but the Lions should arguably be the favorite to reclaim the throne.
