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Week 5 power rankings: Detroit Lions fall, defense hammered by national media

The Detroit Lions’ Week 5 power ranking collapse reflects a troubling trend: their defense, once expected to anchor an easy schedule, has instead become the team’s biggest liability. After back-to-back primetime road losses—including a 329-yard, two-touchdown performance from Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young—the Lions’ secondary struggled to contain opposing offenses, with wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan dominating with 14 receptions for 192 yards and two touchdowns.

The defense’s struggles have drawn widespread criticism, with every major analyst dropping Detroit in their latest rankings, citing its inability to stop elite offenses as the primary reason for the team’s early-season woes despite offensive firepower from stars like running back Jahmyr Gibbs (102 touches) and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (46 targets).

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