NFL power rankings: Post-Super Bowl 53 wrap-up for 32 teams

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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DETROIT, MI – DECEMBER 02: Head coach Matt Patricia of the Detroit Lions watches his team against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at Ford Field on December 2, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

team. 50. . 6-10 record. . Detroit Lions. 21

The Detroit Lions are hard to figure out in NFL power rankings. If anything, they’ve remained relegated to being that “other” team in the NFC North.

Sure, Detroit’s defense took a sizable leap forward under first-year head coach Matt Patricia, jumping from the 21st-ranked scoring defense in 2017 to 16th last year. And a lot of those efforts came without the presence of oft-injured EDGE Ezekiel Ansah, who’ll likely be on the free-agent market this offseason with Detroit passing on his services.

Yet the offense, led by quarterback Matt Stafford, remained too pass happy and didn’t get enough out of the ground attack.

Although then-rookie running back Kerryon Johnson looks to be the real deal. That’ll help keep the Lions from tumbling in rankings.

Still, Detroit remains the fourth worst team in what has become a so-so division behind the Bears. That’s not a good place to be.