Every game counts from here on in, with a number of enormous results in the fourteenth week that could decide postseason spots come the conclusion of the year.
A 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers struck a major blow to the Baltimore Ravens' play-off aspirations, while Josh Allen virtually ended the Cincinnati Bengals' hopes. At the same time, the Houston defence posed a significant problem and may have finished the Kansas City Chiefs campaign earlier than ever in the Mahomes tenure.
The Breakdown: Divisional Deciders Live Up To the Hype
Three massive rivalry games delivered.
Veteran quarterback Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, led his squad to a tough 27-22 success in on the road. He scored his first running touchdown in nearly three years, but it was his long throws to his top receiver that made the deciding factor.
Lamar Jackson was out of kilter as Baltimore missed key opportunities—though they were frustrated by a fourth-quarter touchdown being overturned. These teams will meet again on the final weekend of the season.
Elsewhere, the longest-running feud in the NFL witnessed a epic contest. Even with touchdown deep passes, an exhausted defensive unit had to halt another fourth-quarter comeback from the visiting rookie quarterback in the freezing weather.
The outcome handed one team a slender lead in their NFC North, whereas the losers plummeted from the NFC's top spot all the way to seventh.
Analysis: What Has Gone Awry for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Statistical models assign the Kansas City only a 15% probability of making the play-offs. In all likelihood, this will be the initial missed playoffs for star quarterback Mahomes—and the first for the organization in a decade.
During Mahomes' 7 full years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to seven AFC Championship contests and 5 Super Bowls. This means the club has competed in nearly every available contest throughout his tenure.
Therefore, the reasons for the current struggles are apparent and were summed up during Sunday's loss. Absences decimated an already struggling offensive line, with several starters out.
Even then, the quarterback provided his team a fighting chance, but missed kicks and costly dropped passes—including on a decisive fourth-down attempt—sealed their fate.
In Focus: Is the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the Western US?
A pair of top contenders from the western conferences are building strong arguments for Super Bowl favorites.
One squad, leading their conference, won the most recent Super Bowl held at this year's venue. They are built on a stifling defence that tops the NFL in sacks and wins through methodical, time-consuming possessions.
The second contender, atop the other conference, demonstrated an explosive offence capable of putting points on the board from any situation. They feature a two-headed ground game to pair with an exceptional passing game.
A key matchup would be whether the potent offense could withstand the smothering pressure of the elite defense—what would be a must-watch playoff matchup.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Considering Retirement?
Among the aftermath from the Chiefs' defeat, remarks from the quarterback about his star tight end fueled speculation about a possible departure.
Hearing Mahomes state, "each season... I try to cherish because you never know" certainly seemed like the QB was bracing for the 36-year-old to call it a day.
"He will have the option to do what he chooses to do following this campaign," Mahomes continued. Should the season concludes prematurely for the Chiefs, the three-time Super Bowl veteran could decide to retire.
Looking Ahead: Bills vs. New England Headlines Week 15
Josh Allen did it all once more for Buffalo in a wintry win. He threw 3 scores and ran for another, accounting for a staggering percentage of his team's overall touchdowns this year.
He is the only quarterback in NFL history with 3,000 passing yards, twenty touchdown throws and ten rushing touchdowns in three straight campaigns.
Next, he puts the Bills on his shoulders once more as they try to catch their division foes, the Patriots—coincidentally, they are precisely who they play next.
Key Upcoming Week Games:
- Bills @ Patriots
- Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Broncos
- Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
This Week's Statistical Highlights
- A kickoff return for a 100-yard touchdown—the biggest scoring play of the year—sparked a scoring blitz for one offense.
- A star wide receiver scored 2 touchdowns and is still tracking for a record-breaking 2,000-yard receiving.
- A dominant pass rusher notched his twentieth sack of the season, moving within reach of the all-time record.
- An international placekicker played a key role for his team in a upset win in rainy conditions.
- A offense that was shutout one game bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the following week.
- A reeling team saw its franchise quarterback come back from injury, only to exit the contest again with a similar ailment.
