Each contest matters from here on in, with several enormous outcomes in week 14 that could settle postseason spots by the end of the year.
A 42-year veteran quarterback landed a major blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off hopes, whereas Josh Allen virtually terminated the Cincinnati Bengals' chances. At the same time, the Houston defence posed a massive problem and may have finished the Kansas City Chiefs season sooner than ever before in the Patrick Mahomes era.
The Breakdown: Divisional Deciders Live Up To the Hype
Three huge rivalry games delivered.
Seasoned signal-caller Aaron Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, steered his team to a hard-fought 27-22 win in on the road. The future Hall of Famer recorded his first rushing score in almost three years, however it was his long throws to his top wideout that made the deciding factor.
The Ravens' quarterback was out of kilter as his team missed crucial chances—although they were frustrated by a late touchdown being chalked off. These franchises are scheduled to face off once more on the last day of the season.
Elsewhere, the longest-running rivalry in the NFL witnessed a thrilling contest. Even with scoring bombs, an exhausted defense had to thwart another late-game rally from the visiting rookie QB in the freezing weather.
The outcome handed one side a narrow lead in their division, while the losers dropped from the NFC's number one seed all the way to seventh.
Analysis: Where Has It Gone Wrong for the Chiefs?
Projections give the Kansas City only a 15% probability of making the postseason. Realistically, this will be the first missed playoffs for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a decade.
During his 7 complete seasons as a starter, he has advanced to 7 AFC Championship games and five championship games. This means the team has played almost each available contest during his tenure.
Therefore, the causes for the current failure are clear and were summed up during Sunday's defeat. Absences ravaged an already struggling offensive line, with several starters out.
Despite that, the quarterback gave his squad a fighting chance, however missed kicks and costly drops—such as on a pivotal fourth-down attempt—sealed their downfall.
Spotlight: Is the Lombardi Trophy Be Destined for the West?
A pair of powerhouse contenders from the West Coast divisions are making strong arguments for Super Bowl favorites.
One team, leading their conference, won the last Super Bowl played at February's venue. They are built on a dominant defense that tops the NFL in quarterback takedowns and wins through methodical, long drives.
The second contender, atop the NFC, showcased an high-powered offense capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They feature a two-headed running game to complement an exceptional aerial attack.
The question would be whether the high-flying offence can solve the smothering pressure of the top defense—a a must-watch potential matchup.
Talking Point: A Star Tight End Considering Calling It Quits?
Amid the aftermath from the Kansas City's loss, remarks from the quarterback about his star tight end fueled speculation about a potential retirement.
Hearing Mahomes state, "every year... I try to cherish because you never know" certainly seemed like he was bracing for the veteran to call it a day.
"He will have the option to do whatever he wants to do after this campaign," Mahomes added. If the year ends early for the team, the 3x Super Bowl winner could decide to retire.
Looking Ahead: Buffalo vs. Patriots Highlights the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen did it all once more for Buffalo in a wintry victory. Allen threw three touchdowns and ran for one more, responsible for a staggering portion of his offense's overall scores this season.
Allen is the only quarterback in NFL history with three thousand pass yards, twenty touchdown throws and ten rushing touchdowns in three consecutive seasons.
Now, he puts the Bills on his shoulders once more as they try to catch their division rivals, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, they are exactly who they face this coming Sunday.
Major Upcoming Week Games:
- Bills @ Patriots
- Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Packers @ Broncos
- Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
This Week's Statistical Highlights
- A kickoff runback for a 100-yard touchdown—the biggest scoring play of the season—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one offense.
- A prolific wide receiver scored 2 touchdowns and is still tracking for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
- A feared defensive end recorded his twentieth QB sack of the campaign, moving within reach of the single-season record.
- An international placekicker played a key role for his team in a upset win in rainy weather.
- A team that was held scoreless one week responded with a shutout of its own the next.
- A struggling franchise watched its franchise quarterback come back from injury, only to leave the contest once more with a similar ailment.
