Every game matters at this stage, with a number of enormous conclusions in week 14 that may decide postseason spots come the conclusion of the campaign.
A 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers dealt a major blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off hopes, whereas Josh Allen virtually ended the Cincinnati Bengals' chances. At the same time, the Houston defence presented a huge problem and could have finished the Chiefs' season earlier than ever before in the Patrick Mahomes tenure.
Divisional Analysis: Division Deciders Live Up To the Expectations
A trio of massive rivalry games delivered.
Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, steered his team to a gritty 27-22 win in Baltimore. He notched his initial rushing touchdown in almost three years, however it was his deep throws to his star receiver that made the deciding factor.
The Ravens' quarterback was out of sync as his team failed to capitalize on crucial chances—although they were left fuming by a late score being chalked off. The two teams will meet again on the final weekend of the regular season.
In another, the longest-running rivalry in the NFL witnessed a epic contest. Even with touchdown bombs, an exhausted defense had to thwart another late-game comeback from the opposing rookie quarterback in the freezing conditions.
The result gave one team a slender lead in their division, while the defeated team dropped from the NFC's top spot down to seventh.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Wrong for the Chiefs?
Projections assign the Kansas City only a 15% chance of reaching the postseason. Realistically, this could be the initial missed post-season for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first for the franchise in a decade.
In Mahomes' 7 complete seasons as a starter, he has advanced to 7 AFC Championship games and five Super Bowls. That means the club has competed in nearly each available contest during his tenure.
So, the reasons for the current failure are apparent and were summed up during the recent loss. Injuries decimated an already dodgy O-line, with multiple key players out.
Despite that, Mahomes gave his squad a chance, however missed kicks and critical drops—such as on a key fourth-down attempt—sealed their downfall.
In Focus: Could the Super Bowl Be Heading for the Western US?
Two top contenders from the western divisions are building strong cases for Super Bowl favorites.
One squad, atop their conference, claimed the most recent Super Bowl played at February's stadium. They are built on a dominant defense that tops the league in quarterback takedowns and wins through methodical, time-consuming possessions.
The second team, leading the NFC, demonstrated an dynamic offence capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They feature a formidable ground game to complement an exceptional aerial game.
The question could be whether the potent offense can solve the smothering pass rush of the top defensive unit—a a fascinating playoff matchup.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Pondering Retirement?
Amid the fallout from the Chiefs' loss, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his longtime teammate fueled rumors about a potential retirement.
Hearing him state, "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 option to do whatever he wants to do after this season," Mahomes added. If the season ends early for the team, the three-time Super Bowl veteran might decide to walk away.
Looking Ahead: Bills vs. Patriots Highlights the Upcoming Slate
The Bills' quarterback did it all again for his team in a snowy win. Allen passed for three touchdowns and rushed for another, accounting for a remarkable percentage of his team's overall touchdowns this season.
Allen is the only player in league annals with 3,000 pass yards, 20 touchdown throws and 10 rushing touchdowns in 3 consecutive seasons.
Now, he tries to carry the team on his back once more as they aim to catch their AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, that's exactly who they play next.
Key Upcoming Week Games:
- Bills @ New England Patriots
- Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Packers @ Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kick-off return for a 100-yard touchdown—the biggest play of the season—sparked a scoring blitz for one team.
- A prolific wide receiver scored 2 scores and is still on course for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
- A dominant pass rusher recorded his 20th sack of the campaign, closing in of the all-time record.
- An overseas kicker helped his squad in a surprise victory in rainy conditions.
- A offense that was held scoreless one game responded with a shutout of its own the following week.
- A struggling franchise watched its star QB return from an elbow issue, only to exit the contest once more with a related ailment.
