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NFL power rankings: 2019 edition – Patriots finish on top, again

By Russell S. Baxter

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 30: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions calls out instructions in the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 30, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 30: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions calls out instructions in the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 30, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

26. Detroit Lions (6-10)

4th Place, NFC North

Season Review: The season got off to a miserable start on a Monday night as Matt Patricia’s debut as an NFL head coach resulted in a 48-17 loss to the Jets. Things didn’t get much better after that, although there were some promising moments via early season wins over the Patriots and Packers. Rookie Kerryon Johnson flashed some big-time promise when healthy but the Detroit ground game disappointed once again. Quarterback Matthew Stafford had a rollercoaster year and in October, the team dealt wide receiver Golden Tate to Philadelphia. Patricia’s defense showed occasional flashes (10th in the NFL in yards allowed) but the Lions totaled only 14 takeaways – down considerably from the previous year (32).

2018 Turning Point: A 0-2 start was followed by three wins in the next four games. The Lions hosted the Seattle Seahawks but came away with a disappointing 28-14 loss. It was the start of a stretch in which Patricia’s club dropped five out of six games, including a pair of losses to the NFC North champion Bears.

2019 Priorities: In 2018, the Lions slapped the franchise tag on defensive end Ziggy Ansah. But he was limited to only seven games and finished with four sacks. Will the team opt to give him a long-term deal or let him test the market? The team could still use some more help on the offensive front.

Next: No. 25

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