The outdated cliché is true: Offense does win video games.
Whether or not the Lions or Payments have sufficient protection to win a championship will likely be determined within the playoffs.
However, for now, Detroit and Buffalo appear like Tremendous Bowl contenders as a result of they boast the Nos. 1- and 3-ranked scoring offenses within the NFL.
Shortly after the Lions grew to become the third crew within the Tremendous Bowl period to tally three victories by 35 factors or extra inside their first 10 video games, the Payments received the most-anticipated sport of the NFL common season as a result of head coach Sean McDermott confirmed guts.
Bypassing a discipline objective that might’ve prolonged a two-point result in 5 late within the fourth quarter, McDermott put the ball in Josh Allen’s fingers, and the MVP-caliber quarterback delivered a 26-yard touchdown run that all but clinched a 30-21 victory over the Chiefs and made an announcement throughout the loaded AFC.
Listed here are The Publish’s energy rankings for Week 12:
1. Lions 9-1 (2)
It doesn’t get any extra dominant than scoring touchdowns in your first seven possessions, as occurred in a 52-6 demolition of the Jaguars. The Lions piled up a franchise-record 645 yards of offense en path to successful an eighth straight sport and ninth within the first 10 for the primary time since 1934. Jared Goff threw 4 landing passes.
2. Payments 9-2 (4)
Allen threw for 262 yards and a landing along with his signature sprint to the tip zone within the victory in opposition to the Chiefs. The Payments led for your complete second half after taking the lead on Tyler Bass’ 33-yard discipline objective simply earlier than the break. Bass was a goat when the groups met in final 12 months’s playoffs. James Cook dinner rushed for 2 touchdowns.
3. Chiefs 9-1 (1)
There are not any extra unbeatens after the Chiefs’ 15-game successful streak was snapped, they usually misplaced to the Payments for the fourth consecutive time within the common season. Patrick Mahomes threw three landing passes but additionally two interceptions, together with on his last offensive snap. Travis Kelce (two catches for eight yards) was a complete nonfactor. Isiah Pacheco, although, is on his manner again from damage.
4. Steelers 8-2 (6)
One of many NFL’s finest rivalries has gotten lopsided because the Steelers beat the Ravens, 18-16, for the seventh time within the final eight conferences regardless of not scoring a landing. Chris Boswell tied a franchise file with six discipline objectives. Payton Wilson had a fourth-quarter interception, and the offensive steadiness (36 passes, 34 carries) was spectacular.
5. Packers 7-3 (5)
Similar to the Chiefs did one week earlier, the Packers received on a walk-off blocked discipline objective. Karl Brooks received his fingers on a would-be, 46-yard sport winner to safe a 20-19 win in opposition to the Bears after Jordan Love ran for the go-ahead landing. Christian Watson had a career-high 150 receiving yards. Make {that a} file 11 straight wins on this rivalry for the Packers.
6. Eagles 8-2 (9)
Saquon Barkley scored two touchdowns as a part of a 20-point, fourth-quarter explosion in a 26-18 comeback victory in opposition to the Commanders. Jalen Hurts poached a 3rd landing from Barkley after he was down on the 1-yard line. The sport was nearer than it wanted to be as a result of Jake Elliott missed two discipline objectives and a PAT. Philadelphia has received six straight.
7. Vikings 8-2 (8)
Sam Darnold threw for 2 touchdowns and ran for an additional to atone for an early misplaced fumble in a 23-13 win in opposition to the Titans. The Vikings improved to 5-0 in opposition to the AFC because the protection did its half with 5 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 giant hit as he accomplished simply 16 of 33 passes with one landing and ran for under 46 yards within the loss to the Steelers. The Ravens dedicated three turnovers and dedicated 12 penalties on the way in which to their season-low 16 factors. The usually automated Justin Tucker missed two discipline objectives.
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. As a result of they jumped out to a 14-0 lead, the Texans pressured the Cowboys into 61 dropbacks, together with 5 sacks. Derek Barnett’s fumble return for a landing put the sport out of attain.
10. Commanders 7-4 (7)
With out beginning kicker Austin Seibert, head coach Dan Quinn bypassed a possible fourth-quarter, go-ahead, 44-yard field-goal try from fill-in Zane Gonzalez to go for a fourth down that failed within the loss to the Eagles. Jayden Daniels threw for an interception and a landing, and Brian Robinson Jr. rushed for a landing after lacking the earlier sport.
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)
Simply if you assume the Jets have hit all-time low, they discover a new low. The offense didn’t achieve a primary down for the primary 28 minutes however nonetheless scored a season-high 27 factors. So, the protection determined to fall brief late, permitting two 70-yard, fourth-quarter landing 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 5 straight, the Giants had one in every of their finest weekends of the season (bye week). The quarterback change from Daniel Jones to Tommy DeVito is a welcome distraction for followers and gamers determined for something to vary. But it surely isn’t going to unravel the Giants’ league-worst speeding protection, near-record-setting, nine-game stretch with out an interception or pass-protection troubles.