The Detroit Lions moved back into the top half of the ESPN Power Rankings this week their largely because of its top-ranked defense.

The defense has carried the Lions throughout this season as the offense continues to work itself out under first-year coordinator Joe Lombardi and the kicking game tries to find a player who can add points consistently.

The defense, though, has stifled almost every opponent it has faced, leading to a No. 13 overall ranking and a chance to move up the next two weeks with games against New Orleans and Atlanta.

As always, my ballot is below with the prior week’s rank in parentheses. Yes, I have the Lions lower than they were ranked, but when two of three phases are a concern, that makes it tough to have a team too high in the rankings.

1. Denver (2)

2. Philadelphia (3)

3. San Diego (4)

4. Dallas (5)

5. Indianapolis (6)

6. Seattle (1)

7. Arizona (8)

8. San Francisco (10)

9. Green Bay (11)

10. Cincinnati (7)

11. New England (13)

12. Carolina (12)

13. Baltimore (14)

14. Detroit (17)

15. Cleveland (19)

16. Chicago (23)

17. New York Giants (9)

18. Buffalo (16)

19. Houston (15)

20. Pittsburgh (18)

21. New Orleans (21)

22. Atlanta (20)

23. Miami (22)

24. Kansas City (25)

25. Minnesota (24)

26. Tennessee (30)

27. St. Louis (26)

28. Washington (27)

29. New York Jets (28)

30. Tampa Bay (29)

31. Oakland (32)

32. Jacksonville (31)