Bills and Eagles nipping at injury-riddled Lions heels; Ravens drop

Running the Power Rankings is sort of like being a soap-opera scriptwriter: There’s a lot of looking back and looking ahead. Also, there are — spoiler — manufactured storylines from time to time. You know, to add a little punch.

But I legitimately don’t think it’s wild to ask if Detroit remains the best team in the NFC — or whether we’re perhaps trending toward Philadelphia regaining the Power Rankings throne for the first time since last season. It’s not about what the Lions have done. That’s unquestioned. They’ve been the best in the NFL … to this point. But with injuries mounting on defense, it’s putting pressure on the Lions’ prolific offense to be even better. And they have some tough games remaining.

I’m not ready to make the switch yet, despite Detroit being fortunate to escape with a narrow win on Thanksgiving. All in all, the Lions have been too good. But the Eagles are dangerous, able to muddy it up in a gritty win at Baltimore. For now, Philly’s still the second-highest NFC team, but the Eagles’ remaining schedule provides an easier path down the stretch than the Lions’ slate. I’m also keeping the Bills at No. 2 overall for now, but they easily could be in the top spot after a statement win over the 49ers.

I certainly don’t regret lifting the Bills and Eagles above the Chiefs prior to this week, with Kansas City barely sneaking past a last-place team for the second straight week. The past only counts for so much. It’s about which team is on top today. We can always rewrite the script, if necessary, like we did last postseason.