Each game is crucial from here on in, with a number of huge conclusions in week 14 that might settle play-off spots by the conclusion of the season.
A 42-year Aaron Rodgers landed a major blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off aspirations, while Josh Allen virtually terminated the Cincinnati Bengals' hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defense posed a massive problem and may have concluded the Chiefs' season sooner than ever in the Mahomes era.
The Breakdown: Divisional Showdowns Live Up To the Hype
Three massive rivalry games lived up to the hype.
Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, competing with a injured wrist, steered his team to a tough close win in Baltimore. The future Hall of Famer recorded his first running touchdown in nearly three seasons, however it was his long passes to his top wideout that made the difference.
The Ravens' quarterback seemed out of sync as Baltimore missed crucial chances—although they were angry by a late touchdown being chalked off. The two teams are scheduled to face off again on the last weekend of the regular season.
Elsewhere, the oldest feud in the league saw a epic contest. Even with touchdown deep passes, an exhausted defense had to thwart another late-game rally from the opposing rookie QB in the frigid conditions.
The outcome gave one team a narrow advantage in their NFC North, while the losers plummeted from the conference's top spot all the way to outside the playoff picture.
Analysis: What Has Gone Wrong for the Chiefs?
Projections give the Kansas City only a fifteen percent chance of making the play-offs. In all likelihood, this will be the first missed post-season for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first for the franchise in a decade.
In Mahomes' seven full years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to seven AFC Championship games and 5 Super Bowls. That means the club has played almost each available contest during his time.
Therefore, the causes for this year's failure are evident and were summed up during Sunday's defeat. Absences decimated an already struggling O-line, with multiple starters missing.
Despite that, the quarterback gave his team a fighting chance, but failed kicks and costly 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 powerhouse contenders from the western conferences are making strong cases for Super Bowl contention.
One squad, leading their the AFC, won the last Super Bowl held at February's stadium. They are constructed on a stifling defence that tops the NFL in quarterback takedowns and wins through grinding, long possessions.
The other team, leading the other conference, demonstrated an explosive offence capable of putting points on the board from any situation. They boast a two-headed running game to complement an elite aerial game.
The question could be whether the potent offense can withstand the relentless pressure of the top defensive unit—what would be a must-watch potential showdown.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Considering Calling It Quits?
Among the aftermath from the Chiefs' defeat, remarks from the quarterback about his longtime teammate sparked rumors about a potential departure.
Hearing him say, "every year... I try to appreciate because you never know" definitely seemed like the QB was bracing for the veteran to hang up his cleats.
"The tight end will have the option to do whatever he wants to do after this campaign," Mahomes continued. If the year concludes early for the Chiefs, the three-time champion veteran might decide to walk away.
Looking Ahead: Buffalo vs. New England Headlines the Upcoming Slate
The Bills' quarterback did it all once more for his team in a wintry win. He threw 3 scores and ran for another, responsible for a remarkable percentage of his offense's total touchdowns this season.
He is the first quarterback in league history with 3,000 pass yards, 20 touchdown passes and 10 running touchdowns in 3 straight seasons.
Now, he tries to carry the Bills on his shoulders again as they aim to catch their AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots—and, they are exactly who they play next.
Key Upcoming Week Games:
- Bills @ New England Patriots
- Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Packers @ Broncos
- Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
Week 14 Statistical Highlights
- A kick-off return for a 100-yard score—the biggest scoring play of the year—kick-started a scoring blitz for one team.
- A prolific receiver scored 2 scores and is still on course for a record-breaking 2,000-yard season.
- A feared pass rusher recorded his twentieth QB sack of the campaign, closing in of the all-time record.
- An international placekicker played a key role for his squad in a surprise win in rainy conditions.
- A team that was shutout one game responded with a clean sheet of its own the next.
- A struggling team watched its star quarterback come back from injury, only to leave the contest once more with a related injury.
