After minimal variation within SB Nation’s NFL power rankings through the first four weeks of the season, the Green Bay Packers dropped well out of the top 10 following their 31-23 loss to the Detroit Lions. This week, the Packers fell to No. 15, their lowest position of 2018.
The drop makes sense given their performance. Turnovers and a total of five missed kicks by Mason Crosby (four field-goal attempts, one extra point) helped the Lions to a relatively easy victory despite the Packers producing almost exactly double the total yardage and more than 2 yards more per play. While it remains possible for Green Bay to turn their season around, the inability to put together a complete-team effort through the first month of the season creates valid concern.
Though the Packers fell down the power rankings this week, the rest of the NFC North improved. The Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings now both share space in the top 10, coming in at eighth and 10th respectively. The Lions still rank the lowest of the four teams, but they moved up five spots to No. 22.
Green Bay had a similarly rough week elsewhere on the internet. NFL.com dropped the team to No. 13 (down four spots from a week prior), as did ESPN. USA Today showed even less faith in the Packers, slotted them at No. 15. On the other end of the spectrum, Yahoo Sports seems a little more bullish, ranking them 12th.