Every matchup counts from here on in, with some massive outcomes in week 14 that might determine postseason positions by the conclusion of the campaign.
A 42-year veteran quarterback landed a big blow to Lamar Jackson's postseason hopes, whereas the Buffalo Bills quarterback virtually finished Joe Burrow's chances. Meanwhile, the Houston defense posed a significant problem and could have finished the Chiefs' campaign sooner than ever in the Patrick Mahomes era.
The Breakdown: Division Deciders Exceed the Anticipation
Three huge rivalry games lived up to the hype.
Seasoned signal-caller Aaron Rodgers, playing with a fractured wrist, steered his squad to a hard-fought close victory in on the road. The future Hall of Famer scored his initial running touchdown in nearly three years, however it was his deep passes to his top receiver that proved to be the difference.
The Ravens' quarterback seemed out of kilter as Baltimore failed to capitalize on key chances—although they were angry by a fourth-quarter score being chalked off. These teams will meet once more on the last weekend of the regular season.
In another, the longest-running rivalry in the league saw a thrilling encounter. Despite scoring deep passes, an worn-out defense had to stop another late-game comeback from the opposing young quarterback in the freezing weather.
This outcome gave one team a narrow lead in their division, whereas the defeated team dropped from the NFC's number one seed all the way to seventh.
In-Depth Look: Where Has It Gone Wrong for the Chiefs?
Projections assign the Kansas City only a 15% probability of reaching the postseason. In all likelihood, this will be the initial missed post-season for franchise QB Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the franchise in a decade.
In his seven complete years as a starting quarterback, he has reached 7 conference championship games and 5 Super Bowls. This means the club has competed in almost each available game throughout his tenure.
Therefore, the reasons for this year's failure are clear and were highlighted during Sunday's loss. Absences decimated an already questionable O-line, with multiple starters out.
Even then, Mahomes provided his squad a chance, however failed kicks and costly dropped passes—including on a key fourth-down attempt—sealed their downfall.
Spotlight: Is the Super Bowl Be Destined for the Western US?
Two top contenders from the western conferences are building strong cases for championship favorites.
One team, atop their the AFC, won the most recent title held at this year's stadium. They are built on a stifling defense that tops the league in sacks and victories through grinding, long possessions.
The second contender, leading the NFC, demonstrated an explosive offence capable of putting points on the board from any situation. They feature a formidable ground attack to complement an elite passing attack.
A key matchup could be whether the potent offense could handle the relentless pressure of the top defense—a a must-watch playoff showdown.
Talking Point: Travis Kelce Considering Retirement?
Among the fallout from the Chiefs' loss, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his star tight end fueled speculation about a possible departure.
Hearing him say, "every year... I try to cherish because you never know" definitely seemed like the QB was bracing for the veteran to hang up his cleats.
"The tight end will have the option to do what he wants to do following this season," Mahomes added. If the year concludes early for the Chiefs, the 3x champion veteran could decide to walk away.
Preview: Buffalo vs. New England Highlights the Upcoming Slate
The Bills' quarterback put on a show again for Buffalo in a wintry victory. He passed for three scores and rushed for another, accounting for a remarkable portion of his offense's total scores this season.
He is the only player in NFL history with three thousand pass yards, twenty TD passes and ten running scores in three consecutive seasons.
Now, he puts the team on his back again as they aim to chase down their AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots—and, they are precisely who they face next.
Major Upcoming Week Games:
- Buffalo Bills @ Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Rams
- Packers @ Broncos
- Chargers @ Chiefs
Week 14 Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff return for a 100-yard score—the longest play of the season—kick-started a scoring blitz for one team.
- A prolific receiver caught 2 touchdowns and remains on course for a record-breaking 2,000-yard receiving.
- A feared defensive end recorded his 20th sack of the campaign, closing in of the all-time mark.
- An international kicker played a key role for his squad in a upset victory in rainy conditions.
- A offense that was held scoreless one week responded with a shutout of its own the next.
- A reeling team saw its franchise QB return from an elbow issue, only to exit the contest once more with a similar ailment.
