Each matchup counts at this stage, with a number of enormous outcomes in week 14 that could settle play-off berths by the end of the year.
A 42-year-old veteran quarterback landed a significant setback to the Baltimore Ravens' play-off aspirations, while Josh Allen virtually finished the Cincinnati Bengals' chances. At the same time, the Houston defense posed a massive problem and could have ended the Kansas City Chiefs campaign earlier than ever in the Patrick Mahomes era.
Divisional Analysis: Division Showdowns Live Up To the Hype
Three huge rivalry games did not disappoint.
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, steered his team to a gritty 27-22 victory in on the road. He notched his initial running touchdown in almost three seasons, but it was his deep passes to his top wideout that made the deciding factor.
The Ravens' quarterback was out of kilter as Baltimore missed key opportunities—though they were angry by a fourth-quarter score being nullified. The two teams are scheduled to face off again on the last weekend of the season.
Elsewhere, the oldest feud in the NFL witnessed a thrilling encounter. Despite scoring bombs, an exhausted defense had to stop another late-game rally from the visiting young QB in the freezing weather.
The outcome gave one team a slender lead in their NFC North, whereas the losers dropped from the NFC's number one seed down to outside the playoff picture.
Analysis: What Has Gone Wrong for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Projections give the Kansas City only a 15% chance of reaching the play-offs. Realistically, this could be the initial missed post-season for star quarterback Mahomes—and the first for the franchise in a decade.
During Mahomes' seven complete seasons as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to seven conference championship contests and 5 championship games. That means the team has competed in almost every available contest throughout his time.
Therefore, the causes for this year's failure are evident and were highlighted during the recent loss. Injuries ravaged an already dodgy O-line, with multiple starters missing.
Even then, the quarterback provided his squad a fighting chance, however failed field goals and crucial drops—such as on a key fourth-down play—sealed their fate.
Spotlight: Is the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the West?
Two top teams from the western conferences are building strong arguments for Super Bowl favorites.
One squad, leading their the AFC, claimed the most recent title held at this year's stadium. They are built on a stifling defence that tops the league in quarterback takedowns and wins through grinding, long possessions.
The second team, atop the NFC, demonstrated an high-powered offense capable of scoring from any situation. They boast a formidable running game to complement an elite aerial game.
The question could be if the potent offence could handle the relentless pass rush of the elite defensive unit—a a must-watch playoff matchup.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Considering Calling It Quits?
Amid the fallout from the Chiefs' defeat, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his star tight end fueled talk about a possible retirement.
Hearing Mahomes say, "every season... I try to appreciate because you never know" definitely sounded like the QB was preparing for the veteran to call it a day.
"He will have the option to do whatever he chooses to do following this campaign," Mahomes added. If the season concludes early for the Chiefs, the 3x champion winner could decide to retire.
Preview: Buffalo vs. Patriots Headlines the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen did it all again for his team in a snowy win. He threw three scores and rushed for another, accounting for a staggering portion of his offense's total scores this season.
He is the first player in NFL history with three thousand pass yards, 20 touchdown passes and ten running touchdowns in three straight seasons.
Now, he tries to carry the Bills on his shoulders again as they try to chase down their AFC East foes, the New England Patriots—and, that's exactly who they play next.
Key Upcoming Week Matchups:
- Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
- Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Packers @ Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff runback for a 100-yard touchdown—the longest play of the season—kick-started a scoring blitz for one team.
- A prolific receiver scored 2 scores and remains tracking for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
- A feared defensive end notched his 20th QB sack of the campaign, closing in of the single-season record.
- An international placekicker played a key role for his team in a upset victory in rainy weather.
- A team that was held scoreless one week bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the next.
- A reeling franchise saw its star quarterback return from an elbow issue, only to leave the game once more with a related injury.
