The old cliché that “attack wins games” is true.
The playoffs will determine whether the Lions and Bills have the defensive strength to win the championship.
But for now, Detroit and Buffalo look like Super Bowl contenders as they rank first and third in the NFL in scoring.
Shortly after the Lions became just the third team in the Super Bowl era to record three wins by 35 points or more within the first 10 games, the Bills lost the most in the NFL regular season as head coach Sean McDermott showed guts. We won a highly anticipated match.
Late in the fourth quarter, avoiding a field goal that could have extended a two-point lead to five, McDermott put the ball in the hands of Josh Allen, and the MVP-caliber quarterback scored a 26-yard touchdown run. I almost secured 30 points. They beat the Chiefs -21 and made a statement to the entire packed AFC.
Here are The Post's power rankings for Week 12:
1. Lions 9-1 (2)
There's nothing more dominant than scoring touchdowns on the first seven possessions, as happened in the 52-6 crushing of the Jaguars. The Lions racked up a franchise-record 645 yards of offense on their way to winning eight straight and finishing ninth in their first 10 games for the first time since 1934. Jared Goff threw four touchdown passes.
2. Proposal No. 9-2(4)
In addition to his signature dash to the end zone, Allen threw for 262 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Chiefs. The Bills took the lead on a 33-yard field goal by Tyler Bass just before intermission and led throughout the second half. When the two teams met in the playoffs last year, Bass was the goat. James Cook rushed for two touchdowns.
3. Chiefs 9-1 (1)
The Chiefs haven't been undefeated since their winning streak stopped at 15, and they lost to the Bills for the fourth straight season in the regular season. Patrick Mahomes threw three touchdown passes, but also two interceptions, including on the final offensive snap. Travis Kelce (two catches for eight yards) was not a factor at all. However, Isaiah Pacheco is returning from injury.
4. Steelers 8-2(6)
One of the NFL's best rivalries took a lopsided turn as the Steelers defeated the Ravens 18-16 for the seventh time in the past eight games despite failing to score a touchdown. Chris Boswell tied the franchise record with six field goals. Peyton Wilson had an interception in the fourth quarter, and the offensive balance (36 passes, 34 carries) was impressive.
5. Packers 7-3 (5)
Just like the Chiefs did a week ago, the Packers won on a walk-off with a blocked field goal. After Jordan Love scored the go-ahead touchdown, Carl Brooks ran for a 46-yard game-winner against the Bears for a 20-19 victory. Christian Watson had a career-high 150 receiving yards. It's a record 11 straight wins for the Packers in this rivalry.
6. Eagles 8-2(9)
Saquon Barkley had a 20-point outburst and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter in a 26-18 come-from-behind victory over the Commanders. After Barkley was down at the 1-yard line, Jalen Hurts took Barkley's third touchdown. Jake Elliott missed two field goals and a PAT, making the game much closer than it needed to be. Philadelphia has won six games in a row.
7. Vikings 8-2(8)
Sam Darnold threw for two touchdowns and ran for another in a 23-13 win over the Titans, making up for an early lost fumble. The Vikings' defense played a role in deciding the game with five sacks (Andrew Van Ginkel and Pat Jones II each had two sacks) and an interception by Harrison Smith, leading to a 5-0 record in AFC play. I got it.
8. Ravens 7-4(3)
Lamar Jackson's MVP bid took a big hit in the loss to the Steelers, as he completed just 16 of 33 passes, one touchdown, and ran for just 46 yards. The Ravens committed three turnovers and committed 12 penalties en route to a season-low 16 points. The normally automatic Justin Tucker missed two field goals.
9. Texans 7-4 (9)
The battle for Texas was no contest as Joe Mixon ran for 109 yards and three touchdowns to defeat the Cowboys 34-10. The Texans forced the Cowboys into 61 dropbacks, including five sacks, as they opened up a 14-0 lead. Derek Barnett scored a touchdown on a fumble return, and the game fell short.
10. Commanders 7-4 (7)
Without starting kicker Austin Seibert, head coach Dan Quinn detoured a potential 44-yard field goal from fill-in Zane Gonzalez for a fourth down in the fourth quarter to give the Eagles the lead. The defeat ended in failure. Jayden Daniels threw for an interception and a touchdown, and Brian Robinson Jr., who had missed the previous game, rushed for a touchdown.
11. Charger 7-3 (13)
12. Cardinals 6-4 (12)
13. Broncos 6-5 (16)
14. Seahawks 5-5 (18)
15. 49ers 5-5 (11)
16. Buccaneers 4-6 (15)
17. Rams 5-5 (17)
18. Falcons 6-5 (14)
19. Colts 5-6 (19)
20. Bengals 4-7 (20)
21. Dolphins 4-6 (24)
22. Saints 4-7 (25)
23. Bears 4-6 (23)
24. Cowboys 3-7 (21)
25. Patriots 3-8 (22)
26. Jets 3-8 (26)
Just when you think the Jets have hit rock bottom, they hit a new low. The offense failed to get a first down in the first 28 minutes, but still scored a season-high 27 points. As a result, the defense fell short late, allowing two 70-yard touchdown drives led by Anthony Richardson, a 44.4 percent passer, in the fourth quarter, resulting in a 28-27 loss to the Colts.
27. Panthers 3-7 (27)
28. Raiders 2-8 (28)
29. Browns 2-8 (29)
30. Titans 2-8 (30)
31. Giants 2-8 (32)
The Giants, who have lost five straight, had their best weekend of the season (bye week). The quarterback change from Daniel Jones to Tommy DeVito is a welcome distraction for fans and players desperate for a change. But that doesn't solve the Giants' league-worst rushing defense, a near-record nine games without an interception or pass protection trouble.
