The “playoffs” began early for the Lions.
Operating with no margin for error regardless of an 11-game successful streak, the Lions are coming off of passing a stiff take a look at in opposition to the Packers as they put together for a doable Super Bowl preview Sunday in opposition to the Bills.
Any slip-up and the Vikings and Eagles are prepared to drag even within the NFC standings.
The Lions nonetheless have robust video games forward in opposition to the determined 49ers and people Vikings as they attempt to clinch the NFC’s No. 1 seed, a first-round bye and home-field benefit all through the playoffs.
But the Lions are buzzing on all sides of the ball on the proper time, so it’s no marvel that they nonetheless sit atop the Post’s energy rankings for Week 15:
1. Lions 12-1 (1)
The Lions transformed 4-of-5 fourth downs in a 34-31 victory in opposition to the Packers.
Head coach Dan Campbell’s gutsiest name was bypassing a possible successful field-goal with time nonetheless on the clock to shorten the kick and run extra time without work the clock earlier than Jake Bates’ walk-off 35-yarder.
Tim Patrick caught two landing passes — his first scores since 2021, as two devastating accidents adopted.
2. Chiefs 12-1 (3)
Doink!
The Chiefs did it once more — extending their NFL document by successful a 15th consecutive one-score recreation with a 19-17 victory in opposition to the Chargers.
Matthew Wright kicked a walk-off 31-yard subject objective that clanged off the left upright and cleared the crossbar to clinch the AFC West title for a ninth straight yr.
It was Patrick Mahomes’ 26th profession fourth-quarter comeback victory.
3. Eagles 11-2 (4)
Jalen Hurts handed for 2 touchdowns and ran for an additional to masks an in any other case off day, and Saquon Barkley broke the franchise’s single-season document for speeding yards throughout his 124-yard efficiency in a 22-16 win in opposition to the Panthers.
The Eagles survived what would’ve been a game-tying landing catch (with a go-ahead PAT) within the last minute when Xavier Legette dropped the ball.
4. Bills 10-3 (2)
Josh Allen would possibly’ve upped his MVP case even in dropping a 44-42 shootout to the Rams.
Allen turned the primary participant in NFL historical past to move for 3 touchdowns and ran for 3 touchdowns.
The groups mixed for 902 yards of offense and not using a turnover or a sack.
The Bills rallied after trailing by 17 factors coming into the fourth quarter.
5. Vikings 11-2 (6)
With his Vikings predecessor Kirk Cousins on the opposite sideline, Sam Darnold threw for career-highs of 347 yards and 5 touchdowns to double up the Falcons, 42-21.
The rating was tied at the beginning of the fourth quarter however Jordan Addison made his second and third landing catches and Aaron Jones’ 15-yard landing run capped a string of 21 unanswered factors.
6. Packers 9-4 (5)
Two touchdowns scored precisely two minutes aside early within the third quarter erased the Packers’ 10-point halftime deficit, however the Lions had the ball final in a recreation that was destined to be determined that method.
Josh Jacobs rushed for 3 touchdowns, however Christian Watson was a one-man receiving present hauling in 114 of Jordan Love’s 206 passing yards.
7. Steelers 10-3 (7)
Facing the opportunity of getting swept by the Browns for the primary time since 1988, the Steelers as a substitute overcame an early deficit and put away a 27-14 victory with two third-quarter landing passes by Russell Wilson.
The protection compelled two takeaways and particular groups added one other.
The NFL’s main scorer, kicker Chris Boswell, contributed one other 9 factors.
8. Ravens 8-5 (8)
Lamar Jackson spent the bye week licking his lips ready for an opportunity to get again on the sphere and use his legs extra — his mother’s orders.
Bad information for the hapless Giants, who’re 14-point underdogs.
There is drama occurring with trade-deadline acquisition receiver Diontae Johnson, who’s suspended for one recreation after refusing to enter the final recreation.
9. Chargers 8-5 (9)
After taking a 17-16 lead on a subject objective with 4:35 left, the Chargers by no means obtained the ball again and misplaced to the Chiefs.
Daiyan Henley missed a sort out on Mahomes simply after the two-minute warning that might’ve given his quarterback Justin Herbert the final shot.
Gus Edwards and Quentin Johnston scored third-quarter touchdowns to erase a 13-0 deficit.
10. Broncos 8-5 (10)
Patrick Surtain II gained AFC Defensive Player of the Month for November, after Bo Nix gained NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for October.
The Broncos will emerge from the bye week as winners of three straight — positioned to make the playoffs for the primary time since successful the Super Bowl in 2015.
11. Texans 8-5 (11)
12. Commanders 8-5 (12)
13. Seahawks 8-5 (13)
14. Cardinals 6-7 (14)
15. Rams 7-6 (15)
16. Buccaneers 7-6 (16)
17. Dolphins 6-7 (18)
18. 49ers 6-7 (19)
19. Colts 6-7 (20)
20. Falcons 6-7 (17)
21. Bengals 5-8 (21)
22. Saints 5-8 (22)
23. Cowboys 5-8 (23)
24. Bears 4-9 (24)
25. Browns 3-10 (25)
26. Panthers 3-10 (26)
27. Jets 3-10 (27)
Even one in every of Aaron Rodgers’ greatest video games in years — he threw for greater than 300 yards for the primary time since Dec. 12, 2021 — couldn’t cease the Jets from folding in a 32-26 additional time loss to the Dolphins.
The protection allowed two game-tying fourth-quarter scores — together with a 52-yard subject objective with seven seconds remaining — plus a 70-yard landing drive in additional time.
28. Jaguars 3-10 (32)
29. Titans 3-10 (28)
30. Patriots 3-10 (29)
31. Raiders 2-11 (30)
32. Giants 2-11 (31)
The Giants gave away 13 factors on particular groups with penalties and a missed block, together with a missed subject objective with 35 seconds left in a 14-11 loss to the Saints.
An 11-game interception drought for the protection ended, however an eight-game dropping streak stays intact.
Fans paid for a banner-carrying airplane to fly over the stadium begging proprietor John Mara to make modifications.
