Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Lions stay at No. 6 in ESPN Power Rankings

The Detroit Lions haven't been in the top 10 since Weeks 9 through 11 of last season and even then, it has been a rarity.

Yet the Lions remained static this week in the ESPN Power Rankings, holding at the No. 6 position after not playing last Sunday. The next three weeks, though, offer the Lions a chance to make some major, major moves. Detroit plays three teams in the top 13, starting with No. 13 Miami on Sunday and then at No. 2 Arizona and No. 1 New England.

Win two of those games and the Lions may just end up in the top 5 or higher. And while the power rankings are good for chatter and debate, winning two of the next three would also seal Detroit's legitimacy as both a contender for the divisional title and possibly the NFC in general.

That's how close the Lions are.

Also, my personal ballot returns this week after a two-week hiatus due to the London trip and time zone/travel differential. Due to this, I don't have last week's vote in parentheses. But I had the Cardinals at No. 1 -- best record and they look the part of a team with offensive strength and a good defense -- and Detroit higher than my colleagues, all the way at No. 4.

1. Arizona

2. New England

3. Denver

4. Detroit

5. Philadelphia

6. Dallas

7. Seattle

8. Pittsburgh

9. Indianapolis

10. Cincinnati

11. Kansas City

12. Green Bay

13. Miami

14. Buffalo

15. Cleveland

16. New Orleans

17. San Diego

18. Baltimore

19. San Francisco

20. Minnesota

21. Houston

22. St. Louis

23. Carolina

24. New York Giants

25. Chicago

26. Atlanta

27. Washington

28. Tennessee

29. New York Jets

30. Tampa Bay

31. Jacksonville

32. Oakland

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