Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: League-wide look for each team as preseason starts

By Peter Panacy

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 22: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons speaks to Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers after the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome on January 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the Packers 44-21. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 22: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons speaks to Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers after the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome on January 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the Packers 44-21. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
15 of 33
Next
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 1: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions calls out a play for his team against the Green Bay Packers during first half action at Ford Field on January 1, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 1: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions calls out a play for his team against the Green Bay Packers during first half action at Ford Field on January 1, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

. . . Detroit Lions. 19. team. 50

Another team that could go through a significant regression this season is the Detroit Lions.

The Lions’ 2017 NFL Draft class didn’t impress me too much, and it’s a wonder how big those misses might play into the team’s future.

On one hand, though, quarterback Matthew Stafford is better than Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford, so at least Detroit has one small edge over its NFC North rival. The fact running back Ameer Abdullah is looking good in training camp also bodes well.

Still, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Lions take a few steps back this season, justifying the fall in our power rankings.