The Detroit Lions got back on the winning track in Week 3 after defeating the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, 20-13. And, as had been the case over the first two weeks, the defense managed to outshine the offense.
After giving up a touchdown to the Cardinals in the first quarter, Detroit's defense put the clamps on quarterback Kyler Murray and Co. the rest of the way and held Arizona's offense to just 277 yards in total, including just 77 on the ground.
For Detroit's offense, it was a tale of two halves. The Lions looked to be rounding into form in the first half with 20 points, but the unit failed to score a single point during the second half. Still, it was enough thanks to the defense.
After improving to 2-1, the Lions are moving up in the NFL Power Rankings of experts going into Week 4. But how high? Let's find out.
NFL Power Rankings Week 4: Detroit Lions
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 6 (+2)
Iyer: "The Lions flexed more defensively when needed in Arizona to help a slumping Jared Goff, and they also re-established their dominance in the running game. That familiar formula for Dan Campbell helped Detroit look more like last year's NFC runner-up."
Sayre Bedinger, NFL Spin Zone: 14
Bedinger: "The Detroit Lions suffered a really disappointing loss on their home field in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and they knew it wasn’t going to be easy going into Arizona and finding a way to gut out a win. And to say the Lions gut out a win against the Arizona Cardinals this week feels like the perfect way to put it. The Cardinals gave them all they could handle but the Lions made a lot of big plays at the right time defensively and got the offense some stops despite the passing game not being overly efficient against Arizona. The running game was working for Detroit, however, and David Montgomery combined with Jahmyr Gibbs for 188 yards on 39 carries. The Lions need to continue leaning into that running game but Jared Goff and the offense need to do more than 20 points when the defense holds the other team to just 1-of-9 on third downs."
Taylor Wirth, NBC Sports Bay Area: 3 (+2)
Wirth: "There's just something slightly off with this team right now but they continue to get it done behind one of the league's best running back tandems. An impressive showing from the defense, too."
Peter Dewey, Sports Illustrated: 4 (+2)
Dewey: "After losing to the Bucs in Week 2, the Lions bounced back with a big win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Detroit is now 2-1, and like Philly, hasn't played its best football yet. That's a good sign for its chances in the NFC -- if things turn around."
