NFL Power Rankings After Week 6: Does Aidan Hutchinson's Injury Kill Lions' Super Bowl Hopes?

Aidan Hutchinson's injury hurt Michigan State, for a number of reasons.

It was a horrific injury, a broken tibia and fibula that will be remembered as one of the worst sports injuries of all time. It happened to one of the Lions' most popular members, a Michigan born-and-raised star who was so good at the University of Michigan that he was a Heisman Trophy finalist. And every Lions fan understood what the injury meant. Detroit's Super Bowl dreams took a big hit.

Hutchinson was one of the few favorites for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and more than that, he was easily the most important member of an improved Lions defense. The Lions don't have a pass rusher anywhere near Hutchinson's level, and it would be difficult to trade for one before the deadline.

Detroit has an offense that can outscore many opponents, and that's how they need to win. This can be a successful formula, especially if the defense gets a lot of turnovers. But the Lions have a tougher road without one of the NFL's most valuable defenders. If Detroit doesn't make its first Super Bowl, they can look back on an unlucky game as a big reason why the Cowboys.

Here are the power rankings through Week 7 of the NFL season: