Every matchup is crucial from here on in, with a number of huge results in week 14 that could determine play-off positions by the end of the season.
A 42-year Aaron Rodgers dealt a significant setback to the Baltimore Ravens' play-off hopes, whereas the Buffalo Bills quarterback all-but ended the Cincinnati Bengals' chances. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defence posed a huge challenge and could have finished the Kansas City Chiefs campaign earlier than ever in the Mahomes era.
Divisional Analysis: Divisional Deciders Live Up To the Expectations
A trio of massive rivalry games lived up to the hype.
Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, steered his squad to a hard-fought 27-22 success in Baltimore. The future Hall of Famer scored his first running touchdown in nearly three years, however it was his long passes to his star wideout that made the difference.
Lamar Jackson seemed off rhythm as Baltimore missed key chances—although they were left fuming by a late touchdown being nullified. The two franchises will meet once more on the final day of the season.
Elsewhere, the longest-running feud in the NFL witnessed a thrilling contest. Even with touchdown deep passes, an exhausted defensive unit had to halt another late-game rally from the visiting young quarterback in the frigid weather.
This result handed 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.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Awry for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Statistical models assign the Chiefs only a 15% probability of reaching the play-offs. Realistically, this will be the first missed post-season for franchise QB Mahomes—and the first for the organization in a decade.
During his 7 full seasons as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to 7 conference championship games and 5 championship games. That means the team has played almost every possible game throughout his time.
Therefore, the causes for the current failure are evident and were highlighted during Sunday's loss. Injuries decimated an already questionable O-line, with several starters out.
Even then, Mahomes gave his team a fighting chance, however missed field goals and costly dropped passes—such as on a decisive fourth down attempt—sealed their downfall.
In Focus: Could the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the West?
Two top teams from the western conferences are making strong cases for Super Bowl favorites.
One team, leading their conference, claimed the last Super Bowl played at this year's venue. They are constructed on a stifling defence that tops the NFL in sacks and wins through grinding, long possessions.
The second contender, atop the NFC, demonstrated an dynamic offence capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They feature a formidable ground game to pair with an exceptional aerial game.
The question would be whether the high-flying offence could solve the relentless pressure of the top defensive unit—what would be a fascinating playoff matchup.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Considering Calling It Quits?
Among the fallout from the Kansas City's defeat, remarks from the quarterback about his star teammate sparked talk about a potential departure.
Listening to him say, "each year... I try to cherish since you never know" certainly seemed like the QB was bracing for the veteran to call it a day.
"The tight end will have the choice to do what he wants to do after this season," he added. Should the year ends prematurely for the Chiefs, the three-time champion veteran might decide to walk away.
Preview: Bills vs. Patriots Headlines the Upcoming Slate
The Bills' quarterback did it all once more for Buffalo in a wintry victory. Allen passed for 3 scores and rushed for one more, responsible for a remarkable percentage of his offense's total touchdowns this season.
Allen is the first player in NFL annals with 3,000 pass yards, twenty touchdown throws and ten running scores in 3 straight seasons.
Next, he puts the team on his shoulders once more as they aim to catch their division foes, the New England Patriots—and, that's exactly who they face next.
Key Upcoming Week Matchups:
- Bills @ Patriots
- Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Packers @ Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kick-off runback for a 100-yard score—the longest play of the year—kick-started a scoring blitz for one offense.
- A star wide receiver caught two scores and remains tracking for a record-breaking 2,000-yard season.
- A dominant defensive end recorded his twentieth sack of the campaign, closing in of the all-time mark.
- An international kicker played a key role for his squad in a upset win in soggy conditions.
- A team that was shutout one week bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the following week.
- A struggling franchise watched its star quarterback come back from an elbow issue, only to exit the contest again with a related ailment.
