2022 NFL Power Rankings: Bengals start to heat up, Chiefs knocked down a peg

18. Detroit Lions

Don’t look now, but the Detroit Lions could be for real.

They hung with the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving and while they lost 28-25, it was an impressive outing. That came one week after they took out the New York Giants, who have been a solid team this season.

Now in Week 13, they went against the Jacksonville Jaguars and made it look easy. Detroit dropped 40 points while holding the Jags to just 14. That means they’re now 4-1 over the past five games as they completely turned things around following a 16 start.

The big test comes next week against Minnesota. They lost to them 28-24 in Week 3 but now at home, they could make a statement against the division leaders.

17. Tampa Bay Bucs

Plays on Monday Night Football vs. New Orleans Saints

A loss to the Cleveland Browns was beyond frustrating for Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who enter Week 13 with a record of just 5-6. That’s a far cry from what was expected of them this season.

Brady has always had a great offense but this season, things just aren’t working. They’re struggling to put up points and couldn’t even get a field goal in overtime against a struggling Cleveland defense.

Their only saving grace is the atrociously bad NFC South they play in. Even with the losing record, they’re in first place and can extend that even more with a win over New Orleans.