The “playoffs” started early for the Lions.
Operating with no margin for error despite an 11-game winning streak, the Lions are coming off of passing a stiff test against the Packers as they prepare for a possible Super Bowl preview Sunday against the Bills.
Any slip-up and the Vikings and Eagles are ready to pull even in the NFC standings.
The Lions still have tough games ahead against the desperate 49ers and those Vikings as they try to clinch the NFC’s No. 1 seed, a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
But the Lions are humming on all sides of the ball at the right time, so it’s no wonder that they still sit atop the Post’s power rankings for Week 15:
1. Lions 12-1 (1)
The Lions converted 4-of-5 fourth downs in a 34-31 victory against the Packers.
Head coach Dan Campbell’s gutsiest call was bypassing a potential winning field-goal with time still on the clock to shorten the kick and run more time off the clock before Jake Bates’ walk-off 35-yarder.
Tim Patrick caught two touchdown passes — his first scores since 2021, as two devastating injuries followed.
2. Chiefs 12-1 (3)
Doink!
The Chiefs did it again — extending their NFL record by winning a 15th consecutive one-score game with a 19-17 victory against the Chargers.
Matthew Wright kicked a walk-off 31-yard field goal that clanged off the left upright and cleared the crossbar to clinch the AFC West title for a ninth straight year.
It was Patrick Mahomes’ 26th career fourth-quarter comeback victory.
3. Eagles 11-2 (4)
Jalen Hurts passed for two touchdowns and ran for another to mask an otherwise off day, and Saquon Barkley broke the franchise’s single-season record for rushing yards during his 124-yard performance in a 22-16 win against the Panthers.
The Eagles survived what would’ve been a game-tying touchdown catch (with a go-ahead PAT) in the final minute when Xavier Legette dropped the ball.
4. Bills 10-3 (2)
Josh Allen might’ve upped his MVP case even in dropping a 44-42 shootout to the Rams.
Allen became the first player in NFL history to pass for three touchdowns and ran for three touchdowns.
The teams combined for 902 yards of offense without a turnover or a sack.
The Bills rallied after trailing by 17 points entering the fourth quarter.
5. Vikings 11-2 (6)
With his Vikings predecessor Kirk Cousins on the other sideline, Sam Darnold threw for career-highs of 347 yards and five touchdowns to double up the Falcons, 42-21.
The score was tied at the start of the fourth quarter but Jordan Addison made his second and third touchdown catches and Aaron Jones’ 15-yard touchdown run capped a string of 21 unanswered points.
6. Packers 9-4 (5)
Two touchdowns scored exactly two minutes apart early in the third quarter erased the Packers’ 10-point halftime deficit, but the Lions had the ball last in a game that was destined to be decided that way.
Josh Jacobs rushed for three touchdowns, but Christian Watson was a one-man receiving show hauling in 114 of Jordan Love’s 206 passing yards.
7. Steelers 10-3 (7)
Facing the possibility of getting swept by the Browns for the first time since 1988, the Steelers instead overcame an early deficit and put away a 27-14 victory with two third-quarter touchdown passes by Russell Wilson.
The defense forced two takeaways and special teams added another.
The NFL’s leading scorer, kicker Chris Boswell, contributed another nine points.
8. Ravens 8-5 (8)
Lamar Jackson spent the bye week licking his lips waiting for a chance to get back on the field and use his legs more — his mom’s orders.
Bad news for the hapless Giants, who are 14-point underdogs.
There is drama happening with trade-deadline acquisition receiver Diontae Johnson, who is suspended for one game after refusing to enter the last game.
9. Chargers 8-5 (9)
After taking a 17-16 lead on a field goal with 4:35 left, the Chargers never got the ball back and lost to the Chiefs.
Daiyan Henley missed a tackle on Mahomes just after the two-minute warning that could’ve given his quarterback Justin Herbert the last shot.
Gus Edwards and Quentin Johnston scored third-quarter touchdowns to erase a 13-0 deficit.
10. Broncos 8-5 (10)
Patrick Surtain II won AFC Defensive Player of the Month for November, after Bo Nix won 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 first time since winning 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 of Aaron Rodgers’ best games in years — he threw for more than 300 yards for the first time since Dec. 12, 2021 — couldn’t stop the Jets from folding in a 32-26 overtime loss to the Dolphins.
The defense allowed two game-tying fourth-quarter scores — including a 52-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining — plus a 70-yard touchdown drive in overtime.
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 points on special teams with penalties and a missed block, including a missed field goal with 35 seconds left in a 14-11 loss to the Saints.
An 11-game interception drought for the defense ended, but an eight-game losing streak remains intact.
Fans paid for a banner-carrying plane to fly over the stadium begging owner John Mara to make changes.