NFL power rankings: 49ers stay even, Patriots fall entering Week 3

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots walks off the field during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots walks off the field during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
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SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions is sacked by Cassius Marsh #54 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions is sacked by Cassius Marsh #54 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Give credit to the Lions for making things interesting despite being down 17 points to the 49ers on the road. Quarterback Matthew Stafford engineered back-to-back scoring drives in the fourth quarter to cut the game to three points.

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And Detroit nearly had the opportunity to take the lead late off a defensive interception against Niners quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, which was negated by a penalty against cornerback Quandre Diggs.

Penalties were a theme for Matt Patricia’s Lions on the day. Diggs’ flag was one of 10 called against Detroit, amounting to 105 yards on the day.

Like so many other bottom-dwelling teams in our NFL power rankings, good squads figure out ways to win these games. Bad teams lose them.

The Lions are still bad.

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