Week 7 Lions power ranking roundup, Lions are nearing the top

Week 6 is in the books and now it's time to take a look at what the power rankers of the world are saying about the Detroit Lions. Let's take a look:

ESPN: 3rd

Previous ranking: 4th

"Running behind a strong offensive line, Detroit's two-headed monster in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs is arguably the best RB duo in the league. After a 47-9 win in Dallas, they became the first running back duo to each produce 70 or more scrimmage yards in each of the first five games of a season. Montgomery also broke Billy Sims' (1980-81) franchise mark with eight consecutive games with a rushing touchdown. Detroit's solid rushing attack also helps open the field for big targets by WRs Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown and TE Sam LaPorta." -Eric Woodyard

NFL: 5th

Previous ranking: 2nd

"Sunday’s game was shaping up to be one of the banner victories of the Dan Campbell era … before a devastating injury to Aidan Hutchinson abruptly put a huge damper on the day. If Hutchinson’s sack of Dak Prescott is the last we see of the Pro Bowl edge rusher this season, it will be a brutal loss for a Lions team that was firing on all cylinders in Dallas, ultimately destroying the Cowboys, 47-9. To the Lions’ credit, the defense played inspired ball after Hutchinson left the game, and it's that Campbell-fueled spirit that should have even the most jaded observer believing in this team, even after such a wicked injury loss. If the offense has to carry the burden for the remainder of the season, Sunday was a pretty good reminder of what is possible. The Lions busted out all the tricks, and not all of them worked, but almost everything else did in a vicious, thorough and diverse beatdown of a broken Cowboys defense. How will the Lions respond this week against the unbeaten Vikings in Minnesota? Win or lose, I expect to see their trademark resolve in that massive divisional showdown." -Eric Edholm

The Athletic: 3rd

Previous ranking: 6th

"The Lions were the most impressive team in the league against the Cowboys, but they lost the NFL’s sack leader when Aidan Hutchinson suffered a broken leg. Hutchinson had 7 1/2 sacks and led all defensive linemen with a 25 percent pressure rate at the time of the injury. Humiliating Dallas while Jared Goff posted a 153.8 passer rating Sunday felt good, but a season with the highest expectations just got tougher." -Josh Kendall

Sports Illustrated: 2nd

Previous ranking: 2nd

"Can you imagine how many agents of edge rushers on bad teams are getting calls from their clients right now asking for the opportunity to play for Dan Campbell and alongside this beefy defensive line? I expect the Lions to be aggressive to limit the wound licking period after the unfortunate Aidan Hutchinson injury." -Connor Orr

USA Today: 4th

Previous ranking: N/A

"The league's highest-scoring team has posted its first set of consecutive 40-burgers in the Super Bowl era (since 1966). Sadly for the offense, it may not have the luxury of letting up at all given the defensive blow suffered Sunday, when Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner Aidan Hutchinson was lost to a broken tibia." -Nate Davis

CBS Sports: 4th

Previous ranking: 4th

"They came off their bye and blew out the Cowboys in impressive fashion. The injury to Aidan Hutchinson will be felt in a big way. The offense might need to do even more." -Pete Prisco

Bleacher Report: 3rd

Previous ranking: 3rd

"The Detroit Lions are rolling. In destroying the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6's most emphatic victory, the Lions planted a Honolulu Blue flag as the best team in the NFC. It marked the first time in over half a century that the Lions scored 40 points in back-to-back games." -NFL Staff

The Sporting News: 3rd

Previous ranking: 4th

"The Lions demolished the Cowboys in Dallas with a heavy dose of the running game and more big explosive pass plays from Jared Goff playing off it. They might need even more from the offense with Aidan Hutchinson (leg) unfortunately down for the long-term. In the short term, NFC North supremacy is on the line when they travel to Minnesota in Week 7." -Vinnie Iyer

Yahoo Sports: 4th

Previous ranking: 3rd

"Over Jared Goff’s past two games he’s 36-of-43 for 607 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. If he can solve the Vikings' defense on Sunday then you’ll hear a lot more about how well he’s playing." -Frank Schwab

Related: Lions undrafted rookie has shown enough to get a bigger role and may become a staple of the Lions defense for years to come