Are the Kansas City Chiefs or Detroit Lions the top team in the NFL? Let’s examine the NFL Week 8 power rankings.
Could the Detroit Lions be the best team in football? Advanced statistics suggest they might be, but how do professional NFL analysts weigh in on this debate?
For the first time this season, across the nine NFL power ranking articles we compile weekly, the Lions consistently land in the top two. Yet opinions are divided: do the 6-1 Lions deserve the top spot, or do the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs retain it?
The Chiefs present a strong case based on three key points: they remain the only undefeated team, they boast the league’s best quarterback (even if Patrick Mahomes is currently facing challenges), and they’re riding the momentum of consecutive Super Bowl victories, establishing their credibility.
However, if we evaluate teams solely on their 2024 performance, it’s difficult to overlook the Lions as the standout team at this moment. They lead the league in DVOA, with the Chiefs sitting in fourth place. Detroit has the highest points-per-game average, while Kansas City ranks ninth. The Lions excel in both offensive EPA (fourth vs. tenth) and defensive EPA (fifth vs. tenth).
Here’s what various NFL analysts are saying about this issue in our Week 9 NFL power rankings roundup:
