Every contest is crucial from here on in, with some enormous results in week 14 that might decide play-off berths come the end of the year.
A 42-year-old veteran quarterback landed a major blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off aspirations, while Josh Allen virtually ended Joe Burrow's hopes. At the same time, the Houston defense presented a huge problem and may have ended the Chiefs' season earlier than ever before in the Mahomes era.
The Breakdown: Division Deciders Exceed the Anticipation
Three massive rivalry games delivered.
Veteran signal-caller Aaron Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, steered his squad to a gritty close success in on the road. He recorded his first rushing touchdown in nearly three years, however it was his deep passes to his star receiver that proved to be the difference.
Lamar Jackson seemed off rhythm as Baltimore failed to capitalize on key opportunities—although they were frustrated by a fourth-quarter score being chalked off. These teams are scheduled to face off once more on the last day of the season.
Elsewhere, the oldest feud in the league saw a thrilling encounter. Even with scoring deep passes, an exhausted defense had to thwart another fourth-quarter comeback from the opposing rookie QB in the frigid weather.
This result gave one team a slender lead in their NFC North, while the losers plummeted from the conference's number one seed down to seventh.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Awry for the Chiefs?
Statistical models give the Kansas City only a 15% probability of making the play-offs. In all likelihood, this will be the initial missed post-season for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first for the organization in a ten years.
In Mahomes' 7 complete years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to seven AFC Championship contests and 5 Super Bowls. That indicates the club has played almost every possible contest during his tenure.
So, the causes for this year's failure are evident and were highlighted during Sunday's defeat. Absences decimated an already questionable offensive line, with several starters out.
Even then, Mahomes gave his squad a chance, however failed field goals and critical drops—including on a key fourth down attempt—confirmed their downfall.
In Focus: Could the Super Bowl Be Heading for the West?
Two top contenders from the West Coast divisions are making compelling arguments for championship favorites.
One team, leading their conference, claimed the last Super Bowl played at this year's stadium. They are built on a stifling defence that tops the NFL in sacks and wins through methodical, time-consuming drives.
The other team, atop the other conference, demonstrated an high-powered offense capable of scoring from any situation. They boast a two-headed ground attack to complement an elite passing attack.
The question could be whether the high-flying offence could solve the smothering 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 Patrick Mahomes about his star teammate fueled talk about a possible retirement.
Hearing him state, "each season... I try to appreciate because you never know" definitely seemed like he was bracing for the veteran to hang up his cleats.
"The tight end will have the option to do what he chooses to do following this campaign," Mahomes continued. If the season ends early for the team, the 3x Super Bowl winner could decide to walk away.
Looking Ahead: Bills vs. New England Headlines Week 15
The Bills' quarterback put on a show once more for Buffalo in a snowy victory. Allen threw 3 scores and rushed for another, accounting for a staggering portion of his team's overall scores this year.
Allen is the only player in league history with 3,000 pass yards, twenty touchdown throws and ten rushing touchdowns in three consecutive campaigns.
Now, he puts the team on his shoulders once more as they try to chase down their division rivals, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, that's precisely who they play this coming Sunday.
Major Upcoming Week Matchups:
- Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff return for a 100-yard touchdown—the longest play of the season—kick-started a scoring blitz for one team.
- A prolific receiver caught 2 touchdowns and is still tracking for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
- A dominant pass rusher recorded his 20th QB sack of the campaign, closing in of the single-season mark.
- An international kicker played a key role for his team in a surprise win in rainy conditions.
- A team that was held scoreless one week bounced back with a shutout of its own the next.
- A reeling franchise watched its franchise QB come back from injury, only to exit the game again with a related ailment.
