Detroit Lions climb in ESPN's Week 6 NFL power rankings

The Detroit Lions moved up five spots to No. 11 in ESPN's Week 6 NFL power rankings, following their 45-21 victory at Arizona last Sunday. The Lions enter their bye week at 3-2, and will now play four of their next six games at Ford Field.

That stretch begins with a pair of home dates against NFC North division foes Green Bay (3-2) and Minnesota (5-0).

As the Lions climb up the power rankings, here's what ESPN's Eric Woodyard had to say about Detroit through five weeks:

Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard was under fire after Detroit gave up at least 30 points in three of its first four games, though the Lions enjoyed a much better performance Sunday before heading into their bye week. The biggest struggles have been in the secondary, as they've given up a league-high 1,487 passing yards. It should be noted that the Lions entered the season without Pro Bowl safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. And they're missing safety Thomas Harper and defensive back Avonte Maddox, who are on injured reserve. Branch should return for Week 7 after being sidelined since December because of a torn Achilles. - Eric Woodyard, ESPN

ESPN's NFL Nation reporters were also asked to pick out the biggest defensive issue for each team. Woodyard wrote that the Lions' biggest defensive issue is a depleted secondary.

Dan Campbell's team is currently surrendering a league-worst 404.4 yards per game, including a league-high 297.4 passing yards per game.

However, the Lions' defensive front has morphed into one of the NFL's finest. Led by DJ Wonnum, the Lions have produced a league-best 20 sacks. According to Pro Football Focus, Aidan Hutchinson's 32 pressures are tied for second in the NFL among all edge rushers.

Help is on the way for Detroit's secondary. The Lions' Friday roster moves are the latest indication that a Brian Branch return is imminent in Week 7 against the Packers.

Fortunately, the Lions' offense might also be prolific enough to cover up for their defensive woes. Through five games, Detroit's offense is scoring 32.8 points per game, which is tied for the best in the NFL alongside Buffalo. Jared Goff's 1,485 passing yards are second-best in the league. Goff has thrown 12 touchdown passes with no interceptions, joining Russell Wilson (2019) as the only players in NFL history to throw for at least 12 touchdowns with no picks through the first five games of a season.

Jahmyr Gibbs has totaled 504 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, and the 5-foot-9, 202-pound back has added 243 receiving yards and another two scores. Gibbs is averaging more than 100 rushing yards per game, and he just passed Barry Sanders for the most touchdowns by any NFL player before the age of 25 with 58.

Despite occasional slow starts and issues with protection, the Lions have consistently dominated on this side of the ball, capitalizing with touchdowns on 77.27% of red zone visits in 2026.