The Detroit Lions are sitting pretty right now in the NFL with a 3-1 record, and that feels good for those in the Motor City. Now, they’re heading into a Week 5 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and considering that the Bengals have Joe Burrow out, that already gives the Lions a boost going into the game. We’re not happy to see someone injured, but the reality is that it will likely benefit the Lions.
So, looking at the NFC North, the Lions have beaten the Chicago Bears and lost to the Green Bay Packers. The Bears, of course, are coached by Ben Johnson, who was Detroit’s offensive coordinator for some of the team’s most successful recent years, so it felt extra good to beat him in the Motor City this year.
Now, Johnson has gotten a bit of a dig. So, if you’re someone who’s hoping he doesn’t have the kind of success in Chicago that he had in Detroit, read on.
Former Detroit Lions May Not Be Missed
Everyone has their power rankings out for Week 5 of the NFL, and the Lions are No. 3 in a lot of the rankings. Fox Sports has some especially interesting things to say about the Detroit Lions and Ben Johnson. In the piece, published on Tuesday, September 30, Ralph Vacchiano says the elephant in the room about Johnson.
The Lions grinded out 34 points against a tough Browns defense and have now scored 124 points over their last three games,” he notes. “It doesn’t seem like Detroit is missing former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson much.”
So, there you have it. It doesn’t appear that Detroit is missing their former coordinator.
Vacchiano has the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 1 on the tally. In the second half of Week 3 and the first half of Week 4, the Eagles sure looked like the defending Super Bowl champions,” he notes. But after Jalen Hurts went 0-for-8 in the second half against the Buccaneers and the Eagles totaled minus-1 yards in the second half, I’m really wondering how long they can hold on to this top spot.
More Buzz in the NFL for the Detroit Lions
As each week goes by, it seems like more and more analysts are noticing the Detroit Lions in a good way. In the NFL’s latest power rankings going into Week 5, out on Tuesday, September 30, Eric Edholm puts the Lions at No. 3.
“Detroit was not prolific offensively against Cleveland, but no one has been this season,” Edholm says. “Still, this is the second time in four games where the Lions have been kept somewhat grounded on offense, even if they’ve taken good care of the football. Committing five offensive penalties was out of character, and Detroit’s still trying to hone the connection between Jared Goff and Jameson Williams.”
Do you think the Lions will pummel the Bengals on Sunday? Contact me with your game predictions. The Detroit Lions have a few more weeks left until they have their Week 8 bye week, so let’s hope for win after win leading up to it.
