USA Today writer ranks Detroit Lions as a top-5 team

Remember USA Today writer Nate Davis?

Here, this may jog your memory:

USA Today writer predicts Detroit Lions to have NFL’s worst record in 2019

Back in July, Davis predicted the Detroit Lions to go 3-13 for the 2019 season, tied with Washington, Arizona, Cincinnati and Miami for the worst record in the NFL.

We have to give Davis a little credit. Those four other teams are all winless through four weeks. So good job, Nate Davis.

But the Detroit Lions are off to a decent 2-1-1 start with wins over quality opponents: the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles. In fact, the only way the Lions reach Davis’ predicted 13 losses on the season is if Detroit loses every single remaining game on their schedule. 13 straight.

So what does Davis think of the Lions now? Well, it appears he’s not only changed his mind slightly, but he may be overcompensating for his offseason miscue. In his Week 5 power rankings, Davis has the Lions fourth overall, up from 11 last week after their heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs.

“Admittedly lofty for 2-1-1 team,” Davis wrote. “But over last three weeks, they’ve beaten two heavyweights (Chargers, Eagles) and, arguably, outplayed K.C. Will bye week stem that momentum?”

Davis has the Lions as the highest NFC North team, just a single spot ahead of the Packers (5), a few spots ahead of the Bears (7) and considerably ahead of the Vikings (12).

Perhaps this is an olive branch to the city of Detroit. Perhaps Davis actually feels this way. Regardless, he’s far from the only national analyst to have been impressed by the Lions’ effort this weekend.