Nothing helps power a rise up the NFL power rankings quite like a major acquisition combined with an impressive season-opening win. Just 10 days after acquiring All-Pro Micah Parsons, the Packers steamrolled the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field in Week 1, and now most are viewing Matt LaFleur’s team as one of the NFL’s best.
Of the seven power rankings reviewed, all seven placed the Packers — now 1-0 after a 27-13 win over the visiting Lions — in the top five.
Here’s a look at where the Packers rank in NFL power rankings coming out of Week 1, and how an impressive opener created another boost:
The Athletic
- Pre-Week 1: No. 3
- Post-Week 1: No. 2
From The Athletic: “Parsons had barely been with the Packers a week and already made a massive impact as the defense flummoxed the Lions. Once Parsons is comfortable, look out. As Rashan Gary told our Mike Silver, “Once he and I figure some stuff out about how each of us likes to rush, watch out. It’s gonna get spooky for sure.”
Nate Davis, USA Today
- Pre-Week 1: No. 4
- Post-Week 1: No. 3
From Davis: “And they’ve already matched their 2024 win total in NFC North games. But with the Pack’s five remaining divisional matchups occurring over the final seven weeks of the schedule, this team would be wise to make a lot of hay over its next nine contests.”
ESPN
- Pre-Week 1: No. 7
- Post-Week 1: No. 4
From Rob Demovsky: “Who else could it be? From the Lambeau Field crowd going wild during his pregame introduction to the reaction after his fourth-quarter sack, it was all about Parsons on Sunday. And he delivered. In just 29 snaps, he had three pressures, including a sack and another that forced an interception by safety Evan Williams. What’s more is that Parsons opened things up for everyone else. Three other defensive linemen recorded sacks as well. ‘That’s why he’s here, right?’ Packers coach Matt LaFleur said.”
CBS Sports
- Pre-Week 1: No. 4
- Post-Week 1: No. 3
From Pete Prisco: “The defense showed up in a big way against the Lions. And it wasn’t just Micah Parsons, either. They looked the part of a Super Bowl contender.”
SI.com
- Pre-Week 1: No. 11
- Post-Week 1: No. 5
From Connor Orr: “Jeff Hafley was one of the league’s standout coordinators a year ago, earning himself an interview for the Jets’ head coaching job. His treatment of Micah Parsons in a short window against a very good Lions team bodes well for more of those in the future. For more on Hafley, check out my blurb on last year’s rising head coaches list. For more on Parsons, watch him make life potentially difficult for Jayden Daniels in just a matter of days.”
The Ringer
- Pre-Week 1: No. 5
- Post-Week 1: No. 4
From Diante Lee: “This isn’t bluster from a football nerd: Green Bay will be real contenders in 2025.”
Yahoo Sports
- Pre-Week 1: No. 6
- Post-Week 1: No. 3
From Frank Schwab: “No team looked more complete against a quality opponent in Week 1. The Packers’ defense made the Lions look bad, and that’s with Micah Parsons playing limited snaps. The Packers’ offense was an efficient machine. Is this the best team in the NFL?”
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: NFL power rankings: Packers rise into top 5 after impressive Week 1
