Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Final post-Super Bowl LII standings around the league

By Peter Panacy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: The Philadelphia Eagles celebrated defeating the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: The Philadelphia Eagles celebrated defeating the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions signals to his team against the Green Bay Packers during the second half at Ford Field on December 31, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions signals to his team against the Green Bay Packers during the second half at Ford Field on December 31, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

. Previous: . Detroit Lions. 14. team. 50.

The Detroit Lions are one of those teams that hit a “fork in the road” in 2017, deciding whether they’d want to be a middle-of-the-pack squad again or doing enough to turn things around en route to contention in the NFC North.

This mean firing head coach Jim Caldwell, but that gave way to New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.

Patricia’s defenses in New England were known for taking away opponents’ best players, and that should help a Lions defense that finished 27th in yards allowed last year (5,692). Considering the direction of the division, this was a smart hire for sure.

The Lions also need to figure things out, offensively, and become a more balanced attack to relieve pressure on quarterback Matthew Stafford. Fortunately, this year’s NFL Draft class is about as deep at running back as can be.

Cap space isn’t an issue, with Detroit boasting around $46 million, and the new head coach might be the difference maker in turning this team into a legitimate playoff contender.