“Statement Sunday” provided a little clarity in the NFL hierarchy.
The Eagles edged the Lions, the Bills outlasted the Buccaneers, the Rams survived the Seahawks, and the Broncos rallied late against the Chiefs during a weekend that paired together a lot of contenders in must-see matchups.
What does it all mean?
Well, the Bears hold sole possession of first place in the NFC North, while the nine-time defending AFC West champion Chiefs sit in third place and are in danger of missing the playoffs. Raise your hand if you saw that coming.
Liar!
Here are The Post’s NFL power rankings for Week 12.
1. Colts 8-2 (1)
Jonathan Taylor rested his MVP-caliber legs on a bye week, sitting on his totals of 1,139 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns from scrimmage. Winners of five of their last six games, the Colts are about to see an uptick in competition, with the fourth-toughest remaining strength of schedule, per Tankathon. DeForest Buckner traveled to Panama for an unorthodox treatment for his neck injury during the bye.
2. Eagles 8-2 (2)
One Tush Push touchdown by Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley’s team-high 90 yards from scrimmage and three field goals by Jake Elliott was all the offense needed in a 16-9 win against the Lions. That’s because the defense balled out with two sacks, seven quarterback hits and 10 passes defended. Add in going 5-for-5 on fourth-down stops.
Jalen Hurts helped the Eagles defeat the Lions on Nov. 16. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
3. Rams 8-2 (3)
Kamren Kinchens had two of the Rams’ four interceptions during a 21-19 win against the Seahawks that became a head-coach showcase for defensive coordinator Chris Shula. Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes, including one that landed in Davante Adams’ hands for his 1,000th career catch. Kyren Williams rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown.
4. Patriots 9-2 (5)
With Rhamondre Stevenson sidelined, TreVeyon Henderson rushed for two touchdowns and caught another score in a 27-14 victory against the Jets as the Patriots extended their winning streak to eight games (the franchise’s longest mark since 2019) and clinched their first winning season since 2021. Drake Maye threw for 281 yards, including 105 to Stefon Diggs.
TreVeyon Henderson celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Patriots’ Nov. 13 win. Imagn Images
5. Broncos 9-2 (6)
Wil Lutz’s fifth and final field goal was a 35-yarder as time expired to finish off a 22-19 win against the Chiefs. The Broncos got in position for an eighth straight win with Ja’Quan McMillian’s sack on a third-and-10 to force a three-and-out, followed by Bo Nix’s 32-yard strike to Troy Franklin to move into Lutz’s field goal range.
6. Seahawks 7-3 (4)
Jason Myers made four field goals, including a 57-yarder but missed the fifth — from 61 yards as time expired — that could’ve made the Seahawks a walk-off winner against the Rams. Sam Darnold threw four interceptions in his worst game for Seattle. A 10-game road winning streak came to an end despite Kenneth Walker III’s late rushing touchdown.
7. Bills 7-3 (8)
Just a six-touchdown game for Josh Allen, who was remarkable in a 44-32 win against the Buccaneers. Two of the three instances in NFL history in which a player has three rushing and three passing touchdowns now belong to Allen, who overcame an early “boneheaded” interception. All three touchdown passes covered at least 25 yards. The Bills had lost three of their last five games.
Josh Allen produced a six-touchdown game for the Bills on Nov. 16. Imagn Images
8. Lions 6-4 (7)
The Lions were held to less than 10 points for the first time in more than two years in the loss at Philadelphia. Their only touchdown was followed by a missed PAT after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. A controversial third-down defensive pass interference call on Rock Ya-Sin after an incompletion prevented the Lions from having a chance to tie or win at the end.
9. Buccaneers 6-4 (9)
Sean Tucker replaced Rachaad White as the primary back with Bucky Irving still sidelined and delivered a three-touchdown game. But it was rendered moot because the defense came up small in the loss to the Bills. The Buccaneers actually led 32-31 with less than 10 minutes to go, but their last two possessions were a punt and a Baker Mayfield lost fumble.
10. Packers 6-3-1 (11)
Jordan Love overcame a left shoulder injury to throw two touchdown passes, and his backup Malik Willis threw one of his own while Love was getting examined to spark a 27-20 win against the Giants. Christian Watson caught one touchdown pass from each quarterback. Micah Parsons finished with 1.5 sacks and forced a fumble on the final play.
11. Bears 7-3 (14)
12. 49ers 7-4 (13)
13. Jaguars 6-4 (16)
14. Chargers 7-4 (10)
15. Chiefs 5-5 (12)
The Chiefs are now 5-5 after a loss to the Broncos on Nov. 17. AP
16. Ravens 5-5 (15)
17. Steelers 6-4 (17)
18. Texans 5-5 (18)
19. Panthers 6-5 (20)
20. Cowboys 4-5-1 (21)
21. Dolphins 4-7 (22)
22. Vikings 4-6 (19)
23. Falcons 3-7 (23)
24. Cardinals 3-7 (24)
25. Bengals 3-7 (25)
26. Commanders 3-8 (26)
27. Jets 2-8 (27)
John Metchie III caught his first touchdown pass in his second game since coming over via trade, but that was about the only impact through the air in Justin Fields’ 116-yard passing performance against the Patriots. A bad snap that Fields tried to scoop up and turned into a lost fumble and a turnover on downs marred the fourth quarter. Tyrod Taylor is replacing Fields as the starter.
John Metchie III caught a touchdown for the Jets during their Nov. 18 loss. Charles Wenzelberg
28. Giants 2-9 (28)
Jameis Winston led three touchdown drives but turned the ball over on both of his final two snaps (and had other would-be interceptions dropped) in the loss to the Packers. Jalin Hyatt showed why he hasn’t earned the coaches’ trust by cutting off his route on a crucial interception. The defense surrendered a go-ahead 65-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter.
29. Saints 2-8 (29)
30. Raiders 2-8 (30)
31. Browns 2-8 (31)
32. Titans 1-9 (32)
