Each game counts from here on in, with several massive outcomes in week 14 that could decide play-off positions by the conclusion of the season.
A 42-year veteran quarterback landed a big setback to Lamar Jackson's postseason hopes, while Josh Allen virtually finished Joe Burrow's hopes. At the same time, the Houston defense presented a huge problem and may have ended the Kansas City Chiefs campaign earlier than ever before in the Mahomes tenure.
Divisional Analysis: Division Deciders Live Up To the Anticipation
Three massive divisional battles lived up to the hype.
Seasoned signal-caller Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, led his squad to a hard-fought close victory in Baltimore. The future Hall of Famer recorded his first running score in nearly three years, however it was his long passes to his top receiver that made the difference.
The Ravens' quarterback seemed out of kilter as his team failed to capitalize on crucial chances—although they were angry by a fourth-quarter score being nullified. These teams are scheduled to face off again on the last day of the regular season.
Elsewhere, the longest-running rivalry in the NFL saw a thrilling encounter. Even with touchdown bombs, an exhausted defensive unit had to thwart another late-game comeback from the visiting young QB in the freezing conditions.
The outcome gave one side a narrow advantage in their division, whereas the defeated team fell from the conference's number one seed all the way to seventh.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Wrong for the Chiefs?
Projections assign the Kansas City only a fifteen percent chance of reaching the postseason. Realistically, this could be the initial missed post-season for franchise QB Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a ten years.
In his 7 full years as a starter, he has advanced to seven AFC Championship contests and five championship games. That indicates the club has played nearly every possible game throughout his tenure.
So, the reasons for this year's struggles are evident and were summed up during Sunday's loss. Injuries decimated an already dodgy O-line, with multiple starters missing.
Despite that, Mahomes provided his team a fighting chance, but failed field goals and critical drops—including on a pivotal fourth-down play—confirmed their fate.
Spotlight: Could the Lombardi Trophy Be Destined for the West?
Two top contenders from the West Coast divisions are making strong cases for Super Bowl contention.
One team, leading their conference, claimed the most recent title played at February's venue. They are constructed on a stifling defence that tops the NFL in sacks and wins through grinding, time-consuming drives.
The other contender, atop the NFC, demonstrated an dynamic offence capable of putting points on the board from any situation. They boast a two-headed ground game to pair with an exceptional aerial attack.
A key matchup could be if the potent offence could handle the smothering pass rush of the top defense—what would be a fascinating playoff matchup.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Considering Retirement?
Among the aftermath from the Chiefs' defeat, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his star teammate sparked rumors about a possible retirement.
Listening to Mahomes say, "each season... I try to cherish because you never know" definitely sounded like the QB was preparing for the 36-year-old to call it a day.
"He will have the option to do what he wants to do after this campaign," he added. If the season concludes early for the team, the 3x champion veteran could decide to retire.
Preview: Buffalo vs. New England Headlines the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen did it all once more for his team in a wintry win. Allen passed for 3 scores and rushed for one more, accounting for a remarkable percentage of his team's overall scores this season.
Allen is the first player in NFL history with three thousand passing yards, 20 touchdown passes and 10 running scores in three consecutive seasons.
Next, he puts the Bills on his shoulders again as they try to chase down their AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, that's precisely who they face this coming Sunday.
Major Upcoming Week Games:
- Bills @ Patriots
- Lions @ Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Chiefs
Week 14 Stats, Records & Notes
- A kick-off return for a 100-yard score—the longest play of the year—sparked a second-half onslaught for one team.
- A prolific receiver scored 2 scores and remains on course for a record-breaking 2,000-yard receiving.
- A dominant defensive end notched his twentieth sack of the campaign, closing in of the single-season record.
- An overseas placekicker helped his team in a surprise win in soggy conditions.
- A offense that was shutout one week bounced back with a shutout of its own the next.
- A reeling franchise watched its star QB come back from injury, only to exit the game again with a similar injury.
