Every game matters from here on in, with a number of enormous results in week 14 that may determine play-off positions by the end of the year.
A 42-year veteran quarterback landed a big blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off aspirations, while the Buffalo Bills quarterback virtually ended Joe Burrow's chances. At the same time, the Houston defence posed a massive problem and could have finished the Kansas City Chiefs season earlier than ever in the Mahomes tenure.
The Breakdown: Divisional Deciders Exceed the Anticipation
Three massive divisional battles lived up to the hype.
Veteran quarterback Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, guided his team to a gritty 27-22 victory in on the road. The future Hall of Famer notched his initial running touchdown in almost three seasons, however it was his deep passes to his top receiver that proved to be the difference.
The Ravens' quarterback seemed out of kilter as his team missed crucial chances—although they were angry by a fourth-quarter touchdown being overturned. These franchises will meet again on the final day of the season.
In another, the longest-running feud in the NFL saw a epic contest. Even with scoring bombs, an worn-out defensive unit had to stop another late-game rally from the opposing young QB in the freezing conditions.
This result handed one team a narrow advantage in their division, whereas the losers fell from the NFC's number one seed down to seventh.
Analysis: What Has Gone Wrong for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Projections assign the Chiefs only a 15% probability of making the postseason. In all likelihood, this will be the initial missed playoffs for franchise QB Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a decade.
In his 7 complete years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to seven AFC Championship contests and 5 championship games. That means the team has competed in nearly every available contest during his tenure.
Therefore, the causes for this year's struggles are clear and were highlighted during the recent defeat. Absences decimated an already questionable offensive line, with multiple key players out.
Despite that, Mahomes gave his squad a chance, but missed kicks and crucial drops—including on a key fourth-down attempt—sealed their downfall.
Spotlight: Could the Lombardi Trophy Be Destined for the West?
Two powerhouse contenders from the West Coast conferences are making strong cases for Super Bowl contention.
One squad, atop their conference, claimed the most recent title held at February's stadium. They are constructed on a dominant defence that tops the NFL in quarterback takedowns and victories through grinding, long drives.
The second contender, leading the NFC, showcased an explosive offense capable of putting points on the board from any situation. They feature a formidable ground game to complement an elite aerial game.
The question could be whether the high-flying offense can withstand the relentless pressure of the top defensive unit—what would be a fascinating potential showdown.
Discussion: Travis Kelce Considering Calling It Quits?
Among the fallout from the Kansas City's loss, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his longtime tight end sparked talk about a potential departure.
Listening to him state, "each season... I try to appreciate since you never know" certainly seemed like the QB was preparing for the 36-year-old to hang up his cleats.
"He will have the choice to do whatever he chooses to do after this campaign," Mahomes added. If the season ends early for the team, the three-time Super Bowl veteran might decide to retire.
Preview: Bills vs. Patriots Highlights the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen did it all once more for his team in a wintry victory. He threw 3 scores and rushed for another, accounting for a staggering portion of his team's overall scores this season.
He is the only player in NFL annals with three thousand pass yards, 20 touchdown throws and 10 running scores in three consecutive campaigns.
Next, he puts the team on his shoulders again as they try to catch their AFC East foes, the Patriots—and, that's exactly who they face next.
Major Upcoming Week Matchups:
- Bills @ New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff return for a 100-yard touchdown—the biggest play of the season—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one offense.
- A star wide receiver caught two scores and remains tracking for a record-breaking 2,000-yard season.
- A dominant pass rusher notched his twentieth QB sack of the season, closing in of the all-time mark.
- An overseas placekicker played a key role for his team in a upset victory in rainy weather.
- A team that was held scoreless one week responded with a shutout of its own the next.
- A struggling team saw its franchise QB return from injury, only to exit the contest once more with a similar ailment.
