Each game counts down the stretch, with some huge conclusions in week 14 that may determine postseason spots come the end of the campaign.
A 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers landed a significant blow to Lamar Jackson's postseason hopes, while the Buffalo Bills quarterback all-but ended Joe Burrow's hopes. At the same time, the Houston defense presented a significant problem and may have concluded the Kansas City Chiefs season sooner than ever in the Mahomes era.
Divisional Analysis: Division Deciders Live Up To the Anticipation
A trio of huge rivalry games lived up to the hype.
Seasoned signal-caller Aaron Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, led his squad to a gritty 27-22 success in Baltimore. The future Hall of Famer recorded his first rushing touchdown in almost three years, however it was his long passes to his star receiver that proved to be the deciding factor.
The Ravens' quarterback was out of sync as his team failed to capitalize on key chances—although they were angry by a late touchdown being chalked off. These teams will meet once more on the last weekend of the season.
Elsewhere, the oldest rivalry in the NFL witnessed a classic contest. Even with touchdown deep passes, an worn-out defense had to thwart another fourth-quarter rally from the visiting rookie QB in the freezing conditions.
The result gave one team a slender advantage in their division, while the defeated team dropped from the NFC's number one seed all the way to outside the playoff picture.
Analysis: Where Has It Gone Wrong for the Chiefs?
Projections give the Kansas City only a 15% chance of reaching the play-offs. In all likelihood, this will be the initial missed playoffs for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the franchise in a decade.
During his 7 full seasons as a starter, he has reached 7 AFC Championship contests and five Super Bowls. That means the club has competed in nearly each available contest during his time.
So, the causes for the current failure are apparent and were encapsulated during Sunday's loss. Absences decimated an already struggling offensive line, with multiple starters missing.
Despite that, the quarterback gave his team a chance, but failed field goals and crucial drops—such as on a pivotal fourth-down play—sealed their downfall.
Spotlight: Could the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the West?
Two powerhouse contenders from the West Coast conferences are building compelling arguments for Super Bowl favorites.
One team, atop their the AFC, won the most recent title played at February's venue. They are constructed on a stifling defence that tops the league in sacks and wins through methodical, time-consuming drives.
The other contender, atop the NFC, showcased an high-powered offence capable of putting points on the board from any situation. They boast a formidable ground attack to pair with an exceptional passing game.
A key matchup would be if the potent offense can solve the relentless pass rush of the top defensive unit—what would be a fascinating playoff matchup.
Talking Point: A Star Tight End Considering Retirement?
Amid the aftermath from the Chiefs' defeat, comments from Patrick Mahomes about his longtime teammate sparked rumors about a possible retirement.
Hearing Mahomes say, "every season... I try to cherish since you never know" definitely sounded like he was preparing for the 36-year-old to hang up his cleats.
"The tight end will have the choice to do what he wants to do following this season," Mahomes added. Should the season ends prematurely for the Chiefs, the 3x Super Bowl veteran could decide to retire.
Looking Ahead: Bills vs. Patriots Headlines the Upcoming Slate
The Bills' quarterback put on a show again for Buffalo in a snowy victory. He passed for 3 touchdowns and ran for another, responsible for a staggering percentage of his offense's total touchdowns this year.
Allen is the first player in league annals with 3,000 passing yards, 20 touchdown throws and ten rushing scores in 3 straight seasons.
Now, he tries to carry the team on his shoulders once more as they aim to chase down their division rivals, the New England Patriots—and, they are precisely who they play this coming Sunday.
Major Upcoming Week Games:
- Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Rams
- Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Chargers @ Chiefs
Week 14 Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff return for a 100-yard score—the biggest scoring play of the year—sparked a scoring blitz for one team.
- A star wide receiver caught two touchdowns and is still on course for a record-breaking 2,000-yard receiving.
- A feared defensive end notched his 20th QB sack of the campaign, closing in of the single-season mark.
- An international placekicker played a key role for his team in a surprise victory in rainy conditions.
- A offense that was shutout one game bounced back with a shutout of its own the following week.
- A struggling franchise saw its star QB come back from injury, only to leave the game again with a related injury.
