The Green Bay Packers dropped two spots in the latest USA TODAY NFL power rankings despite beating the Detroit Lions on Monday night.
A shaky first half – the Lions surprisingly led by three points at the break – didn’t help ease concerns for a Packers team that got blown out by 35 points in the season opener.
The Lions put up a fight at Lambeau Field and actually led by four points into the third quarter, but a game-changing completion from Aaron Rodgers to Davante Adams on third down helped spark the Packers to life on offense. Matt LaFleur’s team scored 21 straight points, and the Lions didn’t have enough on offense or in the secondary to keep up, especially once Jared Goff imploded in the rainy conditions.
It’s tough to know what to make of the Packers after one disaster of a game in Week 1 and one win over an inferior opponent at home. This looks like a talented team still trying to find its way, especially on defense.
The NFC North doesn’t look particularly strong to start the season. The Chicago Bears (No. 23), Minnesota Vikings (No. 25) and Lions (No. 29) are all in the bottom third of teams.
The Packers will get a chance to prove their worth when they play the 2-0 San Francisco 49ers on the road in Week 3. The 49ers sit at No. 11 in the rankings.
Packers in USA TODAY power rankings
Week 1: No. 4
Week 2: No. 14
Week 3: No. 16
