Each game is crucial from here on in, with some enormous results in the fourteenth week that might settle postseason berths by the conclusion of the campaign.
A 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers dealt a significant blow to the Baltimore Ravens' play-off hopes, whereas the Buffalo Bills quarterback virtually ended Joe Burrow's hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defense presented a huge problem and may have finished the Kansas City Chiefs campaign earlier than ever in the Patrick Mahomes tenure.
The Breakdown: Division Showdowns Live Up To the Anticipation
A trio of massive divisional battles did not disappoint.
Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, steered his team to a tough 27-22 win in on the road. The future Hall of Famer recorded his initial rushing touchdown in nearly three seasons, but it was his long throws to his star receiver that proved to be the deciding factor.
Lamar Jackson was out of sync as his team missed key chances—though they were angry by a fourth-quarter score being chalked off. The two franchises are scheduled to face off again on the final day of the regular season.
Elsewhere, the longest-running rivalry in the league saw a thrilling contest. Even with touchdown deep passes, an exhausted defense had to thwart another fourth-quarter rally from the visiting rookie QB in the freezing weather.
This outcome handed one team a narrow lead in their NFC North, whereas the defeated team dropped from the conference's number one seed down to seventh.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Awry for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Projections give the Kansas City only a fifteen percent chance of reaching the postseason. In all likelihood, this will be the initial missed post-season for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a decade.
During his 7 complete years as a starting quarterback, he has reached 7 conference championship contests and 5 Super Bowls. That indicates the club has played almost each possible contest throughout his time.
Therefore, the reasons for the current failure are clear and were highlighted during the recent defeat. Absences decimated an already questionable O-line, with multiple key players out.
Despite that, Mahomes gave his squad a fighting chance, however failed kicks and costly drops—including on a key fourth down attempt—confirmed their fate.
Spotlight: Could the Super Bowl Be Heading for the West?
A pair of powerhouse teams from the western conferences are building compelling arguments for championship contention.
One team, atop their conference, won the last title played at February's stadium. They are built on a stifling defence that tops the NFL in sacks and victories through methodical, time-consuming drives.
The other team, atop the other conference, showcased an high-powered offence capable of scoring from any situation. They feature a formidable running attack to complement an elite aerial game.
The question would be if the high-flying offence could withstand the smothering pressure of the elite defensive unit—what would be a must-watch playoff matchup.
Talking Point: A Star Tight End Considering Calling It Quits?
Among the fallout from the Kansas City's loss, remarks from the quarterback about his star tight end fueled rumors about a possible departure.
Listening to Mahomes say, "every year... I try to cherish because you never know" certainly sounded like the QB was bracing for the veteran to hang up his cleats.
"He will have the choice to do whatever he chooses to do following this season," he added. Should the year concludes prematurely for the team, the three-time champion winner could choose to retire.
Preview: Bills vs. Patriots Headlines Week 15
Josh Allen did it all again for Buffalo in a snowy win. He passed for three scores and rushed for another, responsible for a remarkable portion of his offense's overall touchdowns this season.
Allen is the only player in NFL annals with three thousand pass yards, 20 touchdown throws and 10 running scores in three straight seasons.
Now, he tries to carry the team on his back once more as they try to catch their division foes, the Patriots—coincidentally, they are exactly who they face next.
Major Upcoming Week Games:
- Bills @ New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Broncos
- Chargers @ Chiefs
Week 14 Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff runback for a 100-yard score—the biggest scoring play of the season—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one team.
- A star wide receiver scored 2 scores and remains on course for a record-breaking 2,000-yard season.
- A dominant defensive end recorded his twentieth QB sack of the season, moving within reach of the single-season record.
- An overseas kicker helped his squad in a upset win in soggy conditions.
- A team that was held scoreless one week bounced back with a shutout of its own the following week.
- A reeling franchise watched its franchise quarterback come back from an elbow issue, only to leave the contest once more with a related injury.
