Each contest matters down the stretch, with a number of huge conclusions in week 14 that could decide play-off berths by the end of the campaign.
A 42-year-old veteran quarterback landed a big blow to the Baltimore Ravens' play-off hopes, whereas Josh Allen all-but ended the Cincinnati Bengals' chances. Meanwhile, the Houston defense presented a significant problem and may have concluded the Chiefs' campaign sooner than ever in the Mahomes tenure.
The Breakdown: Division Showdowns Exceed the Anticipation
A trio of critical rivalry games delivered.
Seasoned quarterback Rodgers, playing with a fractured wrist, steered his squad to a hard-fought close win in Baltimore. He recorded his first rushing touchdown in nearly three years, however it was his deep passes to his top receiver that made the difference.
Lamar Jackson seemed out of sync as his team missed key opportunities—although they were frustrated by a fourth-quarter touchdown being nullified. These franchises will meet again on the last weekend of the regular season.
Elsewhere, the longest-running rivalry in the NFL saw a classic encounter. Even with touchdown bombs, an exhausted defensive unit had to stop another fourth-quarter comeback from the visiting young quarterback in the freezing weather.
This result gave one side a narrow advantage in their division, while the losers dropped from the conference's number one seed all the way to outside the playoff picture.
Analysis: What Has Gone Awry for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Statistical models assign the Kansas City only a 15% chance of making the play-offs. Realistically, this will be the first missed post-season for star quarterback Mahomes—and the first such for the franchise in a decade.
In Mahomes' seven complete seasons as a starter, he has reached 7 AFC Championship games and five championship games. This means the team has competed in nearly each available contest during his time.
Therefore, the causes for this year's struggles are clear and were encapsulated during the recent defeat. Absences ravaged an already dodgy offensive line, with several starters out.
Even then, the quarterback provided his squad a fighting chance, but missed kicks and costly dropped passes—such as on a pivotal fourth down play—sealed their fate.
Spotlight: Is the Super Bowl Be Destined for the Western US?
Two top teams from the West Coast conferences are building strong arguments for championship favorites.
One team, leading their conference, claimed the most recent Super Bowl held at February's stadium. They are constructed on a stifling defense that tops the NFL in quarterback takedowns and victories through methodical, time-consuming drives.
The second team, atop the other conference, demonstrated an dynamic offence capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They boast a formidable running attack to pair with an elite passing game.
The question could be whether the high-flying offence could solve the relentless pressure of the elite defensive unit—what would be a fascinating potential showdown.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Considering Calling It Quits?
Amid the aftermath from the Chiefs' defeat, comments from the quarterback about his star teammate sparked rumors about a potential retirement.
Hearing Mahomes say, "every season... I try to appreciate because you never know" certainly seemed like he was bracing for the 36-year-old to call it a day.
"He will have the option to do whatever he wants to do following this season," Mahomes continued. If the season ends early for the Chiefs, the three-time champion veteran might decide to retire.
Preview: Bills vs. Patriots Headlines the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen did it all once more for Buffalo in a snowy win. He passed for 3 scores and ran for one more, accounting for a remarkable portion of his team's overall scores this season.
Allen is the only player in NFL history with 3,000 pass yards, twenty touchdown passes and 10 rushing touchdowns in three consecutive campaigns.
Now, he puts the team on his shoulders again as they aim to catch their division foes, the Patriots—coincidentally, that's exactly who they play this coming Sunday.
Key Upcoming Week Games:
- Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Rams
- Packers @ Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff runback for a 100-yard score—the longest play of the year—sparked a second-half onslaught for one offense.
- A prolific wide receiver caught 2 scores and is still on course for a historic 2,000-yard season.
- A feared pass rusher recorded his twentieth sack of the campaign, closing in of the single-season record.
- An international kicker helped his squad in a upset victory in soggy weather.
- A team that was shutout one game bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the next.
- A struggling franchise watched its franchise quarterback come back from injury, only to exit the contest again with a similar injury.
