Every matchup counts at this stage, with a number of enormous conclusions in the fourteenth week that could settle play-off positions come the end of the year.
A 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers landed a major blow to the Baltimore Ravens' play-off hopes, whereas Josh Allen all-but finished Joe Burrow's chances. At the same time, the Houston Texans defense presented a massive challenge and could have ended the Kansas City Chiefs season earlier than ever before in the Mahomes tenure.
Divisional Analysis: Divisional Deciders Live Up To the Hype
Three massive rivalry games delivered.
Veteran quarterback Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, steered his team to a hard-fought close success in on the road. He notched his first running touchdown in almost three years, however it was his long throws to his top wideout that proved to be the difference.
The Ravens' quarterback seemed out of kilter as Baltimore missed key opportunities—although they were left fuming by a fourth-quarter touchdown being nullified. The two teams will meet once more on the last day of the regular season.
Elsewhere, the longest-running rivalry in the NFL witnessed a epic encounter. Even with touchdown bombs, an exhausted defense had to halt another fourth-quarter rally from the visiting young QB in the freezing conditions.
The result gave one side a slender advantage in their NFC North, while the defeated team fell from the NFC's number one seed all the way to seventh.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Awry for the Chiefs?
Projections give the Kansas City only a 15% chance of reaching the postseason. Realistically, this could be the initial missed post-season for franchise QB Mahomes—and the first for the franchise in a ten years.
In Mahomes' 7 complete seasons as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to 7 conference championship games and 5 Super Bowls. This means the club has played almost each available game throughout his time.
So, the causes for the current failure are clear and were encapsulated during the recent loss. Absences decimated an already dodgy offensive line, with multiple starters missing.
Even then, Mahomes gave his team a chance, however failed kicks and costly dropped passes—including on a pivotal fourth down attempt—confirmed their downfall.
Spotlight: Could the Lombardi Trophy Be Destined for the West?
A pair of top teams from the western conferences are building compelling arguments for Super Bowl favorites.
One team, leading their the AFC, won the last Super Bowl held at February's stadium. They are built on a stifling defence that leads the NFL in quarterback takedowns and victories through methodical, long possessions.
The second team, atop the NFC, demonstrated an high-powered offense capable of scoring from anywhere. They boast a formidable ground game to pair with an exceptional passing attack.
A key matchup would be whether the potent offence could solve the smothering pass rush of the elite defensive unit—a a must-watch playoff matchup.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Considering Calling It Quits?
Amid the aftermath from the Chiefs' loss, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his longtime teammate fueled rumors about a possible departure.
Hearing him say, "every year... I try to cherish since you never know" certainly sounded like the QB was preparing for the veteran to hang up his cleats.
"The tight end will have the option to do what he chooses to do following this campaign," he added. Should the season concludes prematurely for the Chiefs, the 3x Super Bowl veteran could choose to walk away.
Preview: Bills vs. Patriots Headlines the Upcoming Slate
The Bills' quarterback did it all again for Buffalo in a snowy win. Allen passed for three touchdowns and rushed for one more, accounting for a remarkable percentage of his offense's overall touchdowns this year.
Allen is the first player in NFL history with three thousand passing yards, 20 touchdown passes and ten running scores in 3 consecutive campaigns.
Next, he puts the Bills on his back once more as they aim to chase down their division rivals, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, that's precisely who they play this coming Sunday.
Key Upcoming Week Games:
- Buffalo Bills @ Patriots
- Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Packers @ Broncos
- Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff return for a 100-yard score—the longest scoring play of the season—kick-started a scoring blitz for one offense.
- A star wide receiver caught 2 touchdowns and is still on course for a record-breaking 2,000-yard receiving.
- A feared pass rusher recorded his 20th sack of the season, moving within reach of the all-time record.
- An international placekicker helped his team in a surprise victory in rainy conditions.
- A team that was shutout one game responded with a shutout of its own the following week.
- A reeling franchise watched its star quarterback come back from an elbow issue, only to exit the contest again with a similar ailment.
