Each contest matters from here on in, with a number of massive outcomes in week 14 that might settle play-off spots by the end of the campaign.
A 42-year-old veteran quarterback dealt a significant blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off hopes, while Josh Allen all-but terminated Joe Burrow's chances. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defence presented a huge problem and could have ended the Kansas City Chiefs season earlier than ever before in the Patrick Mahomes era.
The Breakdown: Divisional Showdowns Live Up To the Hype
Three huge rivalry games delivered.
Seasoned quarterback Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, steered his squad to a tough close victory in Baltimore. The future Hall of Famer notched his initial running score in nearly three years, however it was his deep passes to his top receiver that proved to be the deciding factor.
Lamar Jackson seemed out of kilter as his team missed crucial opportunities—although they were angry by a late score being overturned. The two franchises are scheduled to face off once more on the final weekend of the regular season.
In another, the longest-running rivalry in the league saw a epic encounter. Despite scoring deep passes, an worn-out defense had to halt another fourth-quarter rally from the opposing rookie QB in the freezing conditions.
The outcome gave one team a slender advantage in their division, while the defeated team dropped from the NFC's top spot down to outside the playoff picture.
In-Depth Look: Where Has It Gone Awry for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Projections assign the Kansas City only a fifteen percent probability of making the play-offs. Realistically, this will be the initial missed playoffs for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a decade.
In his seven complete years as a starter, he has advanced to seven conference championship games and 5 Super Bowls. That means the club has competed in almost each possible game throughout his tenure.
Therefore, the reasons for the current failure are apparent and were summed up during the recent defeat. Absences ravaged an already questionable offensive line, with multiple starters missing.
Even then, Mahomes gave his team a chance, but failed field goals and crucial drops—such as on a decisive fourth-down attempt—sealed their downfall.
Spotlight: Could the Super Bowl Be Heading for the West?
A pair of powerhouse teams from the western divisions are making compelling cases for Super Bowl favorites.
One team, atop their the AFC, claimed the most recent title played at this year's venue. They are built on a stifling defense that tops the NFL in quarterback takedowns and wins through methodical, long possessions.
The other contender, leading the NFC, demonstrated an dynamic offense capable of putting points on the board from any situation. They feature a formidable running game to pair with an exceptional passing game.
A key matchup could be whether the potent offense could solve the smothering pressure of the elite defensive unit—what would be a fascinating potential showdown.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Pondering Retirement?
Among the aftermath from the Kansas City's defeat, comments from the quarterback about his longtime tight end fueled talk about a possible departure.
Listening to him say, "each season... I try to appreciate since you never know" certainly sounded like the QB 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 campaign," he added. Should the year ends early for the team, the 3x Super Bowl veteran might choose to retire.
Preview: Buffalo vs. New England Highlights the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen did it all once more for Buffalo in a wintry victory. He passed for 3 touchdowns and rushed for one more, accounting for a remarkable percentage of his team's total scores this season.
He is the first quarterback in NFL history with 3,000 passing yards, twenty TD passes and ten rushing touchdowns in three consecutive campaigns.
Next, he tries to carry the team on his shoulders again as they aim to chase down their division rivals, the Patriots—coincidentally, that's precisely who they face next.
Major Upcoming Week Games:
- Bills @ New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Rams
- Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Chiefs
Week 14 Stats, Records & Notes
- A kick-off runback for a 100-yard touchdown—the longest play of the season—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one offense.
- A prolific wide receiver caught 2 touchdowns and remains on course for a record-breaking 2,000-yard season.
- A feared defensive end recorded his twentieth sack of the season, moving within reach of the single-season record.
- An international kicker helped his team in a surprise win in soggy weather.
- A team that was shutout one week bounced back with a shutout of its own the next.
- A struggling team watched its star QB come back from injury, only to exit the contest once more with a related injury.
