Every game is crucial from here on in, with several enormous outcomes in week 14 that could settle postseason spots by the conclusion of the season.
A 42-year veteran quarterback landed a big setback to the Baltimore Ravens' postseason aspirations, while Josh Allen all-but terminated the Cincinnati Bengals' chances. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defence presented a massive problem and may have ended the Kansas City Chiefs campaign sooner than ever before in the Patrick Mahomes tenure.
The Breakdown: Divisional Deciders Live Up To the Expectations
Three huge division clashes did not disappoint.
Seasoned quarterback Aaron Rodgers, competing with a injured wrist, steered his team to a hard-fought close win in on the road. The future Hall of Famer scored his first running touchdown in almost three years, but it was his long throws to his star wideout that made the difference.
Lamar Jackson seemed out of sync as his team missed key opportunities—though they were left fuming by a fourth-quarter score being overturned. The two teams will meet again on the final weekend of the regular season.
In another, the longest-running rivalry in the NFL saw a classic encounter. Despite touchdown deep passes, an exhausted defense had to stop another late-game comeback from the opposing young quarterback in the freezing conditions.
The outcome gave one team a slender advantage in their division, while the losers fell from the NFC's number one seed all the way to outside the playoff picture.
In-Depth Look: Where Has It Gone Wrong for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Projections give the Kansas City only a 15% chance of making the play-offs. In all likelihood, this will be the first missed playoffs for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a ten years.
During his seven complete years as a starting quarterback, he has reached 7 conference championship games and 5 Super Bowls. This indicates the team has competed in almost every possible game throughout his time.
So, the reasons for the current struggles are clear and were summed up during the recent loss. Absences decimated an already questionable O-line, with multiple key players out.
Despite that, Mahomes provided his team a chance, however missed field goals and costly dropped passes—such as on a decisive fourth-down attempt—sealed their fate.
Spotlight: Could the Super Bowl Be Destined for the West?
A pair of top contenders from the West Coast conferences are making compelling cases for Super Bowl favorites.
One team, leading their the AFC, claimed the last title played at this year's stadium. They are built on a dominant defense that tops the league in sacks and wins through grinding, long drives.
The other contender, leading the other conference, showcased an dynamic offence capable of scoring from anywhere. They feature a formidable running game to pair with an elite aerial attack.
A key matchup could be whether the high-flying offence can solve the smothering pressure of the top defensive unit—what would be a must-watch playoff matchup.
Talking Point: A Star Tight End Pondering Calling It Quits?
Among the aftermath from the Chiefs' defeat, remarks from the quarterback about his star teammate fueled rumors about a potential retirement.
Hearing him say, "each season... I try to appreciate since you never know" definitely seemed like he was bracing for the veteran to hang up his cleats.
"He will have the choice to do what he wants to do after this season," Mahomes added. If the year concludes prematurely for the team, the three-time Super Bowl veteran might choose to walk away.
Preview: Buffalo vs. New England Highlights the Upcoming Slate
The Bills' quarterback did it all again for Buffalo in a snowy win. He passed for three touchdowns and ran for one more, responsible for a staggering portion of his team's overall scores this season.
Allen is the only quarterback in NFL history with 3,000 pass yards, 20 TD passes and 10 running scores in 3 straight campaigns.
Next, he puts the Bills on his shoulders once more as they try to catch their AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots—and, that's exactly who they play next.
Major Upcoming Week Games:
- Bills @ Patriots
- Lions @ Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Chargers @ Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff runback for a 100-yard score—the biggest scoring play of the year—kick-started a scoring blitz for one offense.
- A prolific receiver caught 2 touchdowns and remains tracking for a record-breaking 2,000-yard season.
- A dominant pass rusher recorded his 20th QB sack of the campaign, moving within reach of the all-time mark.
- An overseas kicker played a key role for his squad in a surprise win in soggy weather.
- A offense that was held scoreless one week responded with a clean sheet of its own the next.
- A struggling franchise watched its franchise QB come back from injury, only to leave the game again with a similar injury.
