Every game counts at this stage, with some huge outcomes in week 14 that could settle postseason berths by the end of the campaign.
A 42-year veteran quarterback dealt a significant blow to the Baltimore Ravens' postseason aspirations, while Josh Allen virtually terminated Joe Burrow's hopes. At the same time, the Houston Texans defence presented a massive challenge and could have concluded the Kansas City Chiefs campaign earlier than ever in the Mahomes era.
The Breakdown: Divisional Deciders Live Up To the Anticipation
Three critical rivalry games did not disappoint.
Veteran quarterback Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, steered his team to a tough close win in on the road. The future Hall of Famer recorded his first rushing score in almost three years, but it was his deep passes to his top receiver that proved to be the deciding factor.
The Ravens' quarterback was out of sync as his team missed key opportunities—although they were frustrated by a fourth-quarter score being overturned. These teams are scheduled to face off once more on the last day of the regular season.
In another, the oldest feud in the league witnessed a classic contest. Even with touchdown bombs, an exhausted defense had to thwart another fourth-quarter comeback from the opposing rookie quarterback in the freezing conditions.
This result handed one team a narrow lead in their NFC North, whereas the losers plummeted from the NFC's top spot all the way to seventh.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Awry for the Chiefs?
Statistical models assign the Kansas City only a fifteen percent probability of making the play-offs. Realistically, this could be the first missed playoffs for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a decade.
During his 7 full years as a starter, he has advanced to seven AFC Championship contests and 5 Super Bowls. That means the team has played nearly every available contest during his tenure.
Therefore, the reasons for the current struggles are clear and were encapsulated during Sunday's defeat. Injuries decimated an already questionable offensive line, with multiple starters missing.
Despite that, the quarterback provided his squad a chance, however failed kicks and costly drops—including on a key fourth-down play—confirmed their fate.
Spotlight: Is the Super Bowl Be Heading for the Western US?
A pair of top teams from the western conferences are making compelling arguments for Super Bowl favorites.
One squad, leading their the AFC, won the most recent title held at this year's stadium. They are constructed on a stifling defence that leads the NFL in sacks and wins through methodical, long possessions.
The second contender, leading the other conference, demonstrated an explosive offence capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They boast a two-headed ground game to pair with an elite aerial attack.
A key matchup could be whether the high-flying offense could withstand the relentless pass rush of the top defense—a a must-watch playoff showdown.
Talking Point: Travis Kelce Pondering Calling It Quits?
Amid the aftermath from the Chiefs' loss, remarks from the quarterback about his longtime teammate fueled talk about a potential retirement.
Hearing Mahomes say, "every year... I try to appreciate because you never know" definitely sounded like the QB was preparing for the 36-year-old to call it a day.
"He will have the option to do what he wants to do after this campaign," Mahomes added. If the year ends prematurely for the team, the three-time Super Bowl winner could decide to walk away.
Preview: Buffalo vs. New England Headlines the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen put on a show once more for his team in a snowy win. He passed for 3 scores and ran for one more, accounting for a staggering portion of his offense's total scores this season.
Allen is the first player in NFL history with 3,000 pass yards, 20 touchdown throws and 10 rushing touchdowns in 3 straight campaigns.
Next, he tries to carry the Bills on his shoulders once more as they try to catch their AFC East rivals, the Patriots—and, that's exactly who they face this coming Sunday.
Major Upcoming Week Matchups:
- Bills @ New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kick-off runback for a 100-yard score—the biggest scoring play of the year—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one team.
- A prolific wide receiver scored two scores and remains tracking for a record-breaking 2,000-yard season.
- A feared defensive end notched his twentieth sack of the season, closing in of the single-season record.
- An overseas kicker helped his squad in a upset win in rainy weather.
- A team that was shutout one game responded with a clean sheet of its own the next.
- A struggling team watched its star QB come back from injury, only to leave the game again with a related ailment.
