Every game is crucial down the stretch, with some enormous results in week 14 that could determine postseason berths come the conclusion of the campaign.
A 42-year-old veteran quarterback landed a major setback to the Baltimore Ravens' play-off hopes, while Josh Allen all-but terminated Joe Burrow's chances. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defence posed a massive problem and could have ended the Kansas City Chiefs campaign earlier than ever before in the Mahomes tenure.
Divisional Analysis: Divisional Deciders Exceed the Anticipation
Three critical rivalry games delivered.
Veteran quarterback Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, led his squad to a hard-fought close win in on the road. The future Hall of Famer scored his initial rushing score in almost three seasons, however it was his deep passes to his top receiver that made the difference.
The Ravens' quarterback seemed off rhythm as Baltimore missed key opportunities—though they were left fuming by a late touchdown being overturned. The two teams will meet again on the last weekend of the season.
Elsewhere, the longest-running rivalry in the NFL saw a classic contest. Even with touchdown bombs, an exhausted defense had to thwart another late-game comeback from the opposing rookie quarterback in the freezing conditions.
The outcome gave one side a narrow lead in their NFC North, while the defeated team dropped from the conference's top spot down to outside the playoff picture.
In-Depth Look: Where Has It Gone Awry for the Chiefs?
Projections assign the Kansas City only a 15% probability of reaching the postseason. Realistically, this will be the initial missed playoffs for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first for the organization in a ten years.
During his 7 full years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to seven AFC Championship contests and five Super Bowls. That indicates the team has competed in almost every available contest during his tenure.
So, the causes for this year's struggles are evident and were encapsulated during Sunday's loss. Injuries decimated an already dodgy O-line, with several key players missing.
Despite that, the quarterback gave his squad a fighting chance, however missed kicks and costly drops—such as on a pivotal fourth-down play—sealed their downfall.
In Focus: Is the Super Bowl Be Destined for the Western US?
Two top contenders from the West Coast conferences are building strong cases for Super Bowl contention.
One squad, leading their the AFC, claimed the most recent Super Bowl played at February's venue. They are built on a stifling defence that leads the NFL in sacks and wins through methodical, time-consuming drives.
The other contender, atop the NFC, demonstrated an high-powered offense capable of scoring from any situation. They boast a two-headed ground attack to pair with an exceptional aerial attack.
The question could be whether the potent offense could handle the smothering pass rush of the top defensive unit—what would be a fascinating playoff matchup.
Talking Point: Travis Kelce Considering Calling It Quits?
Amid the aftermath from the Kansas City's loss, comments from Patrick Mahomes about his longtime tight end fueled rumors about a potential retirement.
Hearing Mahomes state, "every year... I try to cherish since you never know" certainly seemed like the QB was bracing for the veteran to hang up his cleats.
"He will have the option to do what he chooses to do after this campaign," Mahomes continued. If the season concludes prematurely for the team, the 3x champion veteran could choose to retire.
Preview: Bills vs. New England Highlights the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen put on a show again for his team in a wintry victory. He passed for three touchdowns and ran for another, accounting for a remarkable percentage of his team's total scores this season.
Allen is the only quarterback in NFL history with 3,000 pass yards, twenty TD passes and ten rushing scores in 3 straight campaigns.
Now, he tries to carry the Bills on his shoulders again as they aim to chase down their division rivals, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, they are exactly who they play next.
Major Upcoming Week Games:
- Bills @ New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Broncos
- Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff return for a 100-yard score—the biggest scoring play of the year—kick-started a scoring blitz for one offense.
- A prolific receiver caught 2 touchdowns and remains on course for a record-breaking 2,000-yard season.
- A dominant defensive end notched his 20th sack of the season, closing in of the all-time record.
- An international placekicker helped his team in a upset win in soggy conditions.
- A offense that was shutout one week responded with a clean sheet of its own the next.
- A struggling franchise watched its star QB come back from injury, only to leave the contest again with a similar ailment.
