Where do the Lions rank in the NFC right now?

The NFC isn't looking quite as strong as it did even a few weeks ago.

This week kicked off with the Seattle Seahawks losing their third game of the season. Last year, the Super Bowl champions lost just three total games for the entire 2025 season. What was thought to be clearly the best division in football—the NFC West—now just has a single team with a winning record. The 49ers are 5-0, the Seahawks are 3-3, the Los Angeles Rams are 2-3, and the Arizona Cardinals are just 1-4.

Beyond that division, the NFC East is looking like a mess. The New York Giants and their very unconvincing 3-1-1 record lead the division, while everyone else is below .500. Personally, I had a belief that the Philadelphia Eagles would pull themselves out of their 2-3 hole, but with the news that quarterback Jalen Hurts is now on injured reserve indefinitely with a blood clot issue, I'm not sure Tanner McKee and his two career starts is ready to turn things around.

Elsewhere, it doesn't look like the Saints are as good as the Lions made them look in Week 2, but the Atlanta Falcons are on the rise. And, of course, the NFC North is pretty strong top to bottom.

Where do the Lions rank in the NFC right now?

My answer: Officially, the Lions are in the seventh spot in the NFC, when it comes to playoff standings. The 49ers, Vikings, Giants, and Panthers all lead their divisions. While the three Wild Card teams are the Packers, Bears, and Lions, in that order.

As to how I feel the Lions rank, there are two teams that are easily ahead of the Lions: the undefeated 49ers and Vikings. Say what you will about the Vikings' resume or their offensive struggles, that defense is raising hell right now, and it's seriously impressive. I don't think I need to make a case for San Francisco.

Personally, I still think the Rams are better than the Lions, and it will show in their next five games when Los Angeles plays the Cardinals, Raiders, Chargers, Commanders, and Cardinals. Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, but that feels like five straight wins.

We also have to talk about the Carolina Panthers. They may have a worse record (2-2) than the Lions (3-2), but they beat them straight up and fairly decisively. Objectively, you have to give them the edge.

A couple of weeks ago, I ranked the Lions' third in the NFC North behind the Vikings and Bears , and I don't think my opinion of the division has changed despite Green Bay's statement win over Chicago last week.

So that puts the 49ers, Vikings, Bears, Rams, and Panthers all ahead of Detroit.

I think the Seahawks, Packers, and Falcons are all right there on the same tier with the Lions, and that's it. So I'd have the Lions anywhere from sixth to ninth in the NFC. For now, I'll put them at seventh because I still believe Seattle will turn things around despite some serious struggles on offense and a step back on defense.

Where do you think the Lions rank in the NFC right now? Be sure to make a free Pride of Detroit account to join the conversation in the comment section below.

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