The Detroit Lions, currently leading the NFC, are set to face the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills in a highly anticipated late-season game that could offer glimpse of the Super Bowl matchup.

With a 12-1 record, the Lions are the favorites to win the NFL title, while the Bills, at 10-3, remain among the top contenders.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell expressed excitement about the opportunity to compete in such high-stakes football in December.

“There’s no place you’d rather be than playing this type of football, this type of team, in December,” he said.

Detroit has won an impressive 11 consecutive games, setting a franchise record, and securing back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time in 30 years.

The Bills, fresh off a 44-42 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, saw their eight-game winning streak come to an end.

However, the defeat hasn’t diminished the team’s hopes of challenging the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC crown.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen acknowledged the Rams’ desperate playoff push and noted his team’s lack of urgency.

“You saw a team that’s fighting for their lives to try to make the playoffs and they came out ready to play,” said Allen. “And, maybe we didn’t have that type of urgency.”

Allen, who is in the running for his first MVP award after finishing near the top in past voting seasons, believes the team’s playoff position gives them a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl.

“Means your team’s in a position to make the playoffs and give yourselves the chance to win the Super Bowl,” Allen commented. Last week, he made history by becoming the first player to throw three touchdown passes and score three rushing touchdowns in a regular-season game.

On the other hand, Lions quarterback Jared Goff is also among the MVP contenders, ranking third according to BetMGM.

While Goff appreciates the recognition, his focus remains on the ultimate goal: winning the Super Bowl.

“It’s cool to be recognized in some ways, but it doesn’t really mean anything,” Goff stated. “I want to be holding that trophy at the end of the year, and I know that’s what matters.”

In the offseason, Allen and Goff shared time together on the golf course.

Allen praised Goff’s golfing skills, comparing his calm demeanor on the course to his performance on the field.

“He’s freakin’ awesome,” Allen said. “It kind of displays who he is on the field, too. He’s just very calm and cool and collected when he plays.”

Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady isn’t surprised by Campbell’s success in transforming the Lions into a formidable team. Brady and Campbell were once roommates when they were assistant coaches with the New Orleans Saints.

“He’s as real as it gets,” said Brady. “He’s an incredible coach, incredible teacher. No shock in the world to see the success he’s had there.”

In their last game, Campbell demonstrated his aggressive coaching style, going for it five times on fourth down in a 34-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers.

Despite facing injury concerns on defense, the Lions may continue this strategy to keep the ball out of Allen’s hands and minimize his offensive impact.

“We’re not playing their offense on our side of the ball, but they do such a good job over there of holding onto the football and scoring points,” said Allen.

Detroit, tied with Kansas City for the best record in the league, is not taking its position for granted.

The Lions are locked in a tight race for the top NFC seed and the NFC North title, with Minnesota (11-2) trailing by just one game.

The division race will culminate in a showdown at Detroit in the regular season’s final week.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles (11-2) are also just one game behind in the race for home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. “We’d love to say, ‘Yeah, 12-1, our division’s wrapped up,’ but it’s not even close,” said Goff.

“We have two teams on our heels that are pushing us pretty hard, and we have to keep winning and I’m sure that they’re just waiting for us to lose.”

For the Bills, the AFC East title is already secured, but the loss to the Rams has impacted their chances of securing the top seed in the AFC.

Head coach Sean McDermott reminded his team of the competitive nature of the league. “It’s all a good reminder for us of how competitive this dang league is week to week,” McDermott said.

“A lot of teams take a lot of scars on their way to having a darn good season, and we’re having a darn good season.”

Both teams are in strong positions for the postseason, but with so much still at stake, this late-season clash between the Lions and Bills could offer valuable insight into who might eventually take home the NFL championship.