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Week 17 has wrapped up, which means the last batch of meaningful power rankings for non-playoff teams are here. Prior to the start of the season, Detroit Lions fans figured they wouldn't be in this position, but after an extremely disappointing 4-12 effort, the Lions are getting ranked for the last time this season.
Joel Thorman of SB Nation released his latest rankings, and he has the Lions all the way down at No. 27.
27. Detroit Lions (LW: 27, 4-12): Maybe 2011 was the exception, and not the beginning of something special.
In 2011, the Lions looked to have made the jump from a promising team to the NFL's elite. They competed with the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers, and the offense looked as strong as ever. Unfortunately for Detroit, that did not carry over into 2012.
The Lions are above one 5-11 team in the rankings: the Arizona Cardinals. There are no teams with worse records above them in the final list. Detroit will be picking at No. 5 in the 2013 NFL Draft, even if this list only has them as the sixth-worst team.