Lions are the new team to envy in Week 6 power rankings

Could it be?

Are the Detroit Lions finally breaking out of their underdog shell, and becoming the most obvious powerhouse in the NFL this season?

It's seeming more and more likely that this is the case, especially since the team is 4-1 to begin the year and have already begun to show that they're a top team in all three phases of the game. While that "underdog" or "overlooked" label might've expired back in 2023, they still seemed to get ignored in conversations regarding contending teams this offseason given the departures of Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn for head coaching vacancies.

Now, the league is back on notice - and, NFL.com writer Eric Edholm has them right at the top of Week 6 power rankings as the team heads for a road clash against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Lions named top team in NFL in Week 6 power rankings

Edholm writes that the Lions are at the top for, of course, their performance over the last five weeks, but moreso because of how poorly the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills did in Week 5. Those teams are two of the most genuine threats to Detroit's ability to make it to a Super Bowl appearance this year, so if they're dropping games, the Lions look amazing by comparison.

"Sunday’s performance was great for three quarters, but then the Bengals went into turbo mode and almost made it a game again. All of the top teams have had games such as this, so I am not going to make too much of what happened in the fourth quarter. Knowing Dan Campbell, he’ll mine it as a source of inspiration. But there remains the question of just how good this defense is."

READ MORE: Lions' David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs tie NFL record in win against the Bengals

Edholm's one gripe with the Lions' Week 6 win, as mentioned above, had to do with the defense almost breaking against the Bengals' sudden comeback attempt. They didn't, though, which is something they need to continue as a trend headed into Kansas City.

Without Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed, the team has to figure out a proper gameplan for Patrick Mahomes and his magician act in the pocket as a passer. Perhaps the answer is relying on the teams' pass rush, which has been elite so far this season with Aidan Hutchinson at the helm. Whatever it is, Detroit has to find a way to beat Mahomes and the Chiefs in the trenches to remain at the tippy-top of these rankings in a league with no remaining unbeaten squads.