The old cliché is true: Offense does win games.
Whether the Lions or Bills have enough defense to win a championship will be decided in the playoffs.
But, for now, Detroit and Buffalo look like Super Bowl contenders because they boast the Nos. 1- and 3-ranked scoring offenses in the NFL.
Shortly after the Lions became the third team in the Super Bowl era to tally three victories by 35 points or more within their first 10 games, the Bills won the most-anticipated game of the NFL regular season because head coach Sean McDermott showed guts.
Bypassing a field goal that could’ve extended a two-point lead to five late in the fourth quarter, McDermott put the ball in Josh Allen’s hands, and the MVP-caliber quarterback delivered a 26-yard touchdown run that all but clinched a 30-21 victory over the Chiefs and made a statement across the loaded AFC.
Here are The Post’s power rankings for Week 12:
1. Lions 9-1 (2)
It doesn’t get any more dominant than scoring touchdowns on your first seven possessions, as happened in a 52-6 demolition of the Jaguars. The Lions piled up a franchise-record 645 yards of offense en route to winning an eighth straight game and ninth in the first 10 for the first time since 1934. Jared Goff threw four touchdown passes.
2. Bills 9-2 (4)
Allen threw for 262 yards and a touchdown in addition to his signature dash to the end zone in the victory against the Chiefs. The Bills led for the entire second half after taking the lead on Tyler Bass’ 33-yard field goal just before the break. Bass was a goat when the teams met in last year’s playoffs. James Cook rushed for two touchdowns.
3. Chiefs 9-1 (1)
There are no more unbeatens after the Chiefs’ 15-game winning streak was snapped, and they lost to the Bills for the fourth consecutive time in the regular season. Patrick Mahomes threw three touchdown passes but also two interceptions, including on his final offensive snap. Travis Kelce (two catches for eight yards) was a total nonfactor. Isiah Pacheco, though, is on his way back from injury.
4. Steelers 8-2 (6)
One of the NFL’s best rivalries has gotten lopsided as the Steelers beat the Ravens, 18-16, for the seventh time in the last eight meetings despite not scoring a touchdown. Chris Boswell tied a franchise record with six field goals. Payton Wilson had a fourth-quarter interception, and the offensive balance (36 passes, 34 carries) was impressive.
5. Packers 7-3 (5)
Just like the Chiefs did one week earlier, the Packers won on a walk-off blocked field goal. Karl Brooks got his hands on a would-be, 46-yard game winner to secure a 20-19 win against the Bears after Jordan Love ran for the go-ahead touchdown. Christian Watson had a career-high 150 receiving yards. Make that a record 11 straight wins in this rivalry for the Packers.
6. Eagles 8-2 (9)
Saquon Barkley scored two touchdowns as part of a 20-point, fourth-quarter explosion in a 26-18 comeback victory against the Commanders. Jalen Hurts poached a third touchdown from Barkley after he was down at the 1-yard line. The game was closer than it needed to be because Jake Elliott missed two field goals and a PAT. Philadelphia has won six straight.
7. Vikings 8-2 (8)
Sam Darnold threw for two touchdowns and ran for another to atone for an early lost fumble in a 23-13 win against the Titans. The Vikings improved to 5-0 against the AFC as the defense did its part with five sacks (Andrew Van Ginkel and Pat Jones II with two apiece) and Harrison Smith’s game-sealing interception.
8. Ravens 7-4 (3)
Lamar Jackson’s MVP bid took a big hit as he completed just 16 of 33 passes with one touchdown and ran for only 46 yards in the loss to the Steelers. The Ravens committed three turnovers and committed 12 penalties on the way to their 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 in a 34-10 blowout of the Cowboys. Because they jumped out to a 14-0 lead, the Texans forced the Cowboys into 61 dropbacks, including five sacks. Derek Barnett’s fumble return for a touchdown put the game out of reach.
10. Commanders 7-4 (7)
Without starting kicker Austin Seibert, head coach Dan Quinn bypassed a potential fourth-quarter, go-ahead, 44-yard field-goal attempt from fill-in Zane Gonzalez to go for a fourth down that failed in the loss to the Eagles. Jayden Daniels threw for an interception and a touchdown, and Brian Robinson Jr. rushed for a touchdown after missing the previous game.
11. Chargers 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 find a new low. The offense didn’t gain a first down for the first 28 minutes but still scored a season-high 27 points. So, the defense decided to fall short late, allowing two 70-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown drives directed by 44.4-percent passer Anthony Richardson 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)
Losers of five straight, the Giants had one of their best weekends of the season (bye week). The quarterback change from Daniel Jones to Tommy DeVito is a welcome distraction for fans and players desperate for anything to change. But it isn’t going to solve the Giants’ league-worst rushing defense, near-record-setting, nine-game stretch without an interception or pass-protection troubles.
32. Jaguars 2-9 (31)
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