Every contest counts down the stretch, with some huge results in week 14 that could settle postseason spots come the end of the campaign.
A 42-year-old veteran quarterback dealt a big blow to the Baltimore Ravens' play-off aspirations, while the Buffalo Bills quarterback virtually ended the Cincinnati Bengals' hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defence posed a huge problem and may have finished the Chiefs' season sooner than ever in the Mahomes tenure.
The Breakdown: Division Deciders Exceed the Hype
Three massive division clashes did not disappoint.
Seasoned signal-caller Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, guided his team to a tough 27-22 victory in on the road. The future Hall of Famer notched his first rushing touchdown in nearly three years, however it was his deep passes to his top receiver that proved to be the difference.
The Ravens' quarterback was off rhythm as his team failed to capitalize on key chances—although they were left fuming by a late score being chalked off. These teams will meet again on the last day of the regular season.
In another, the oldest feud in the league saw a classic contest. Even with touchdown deep passes, an exhausted defense had to stop another fourth-quarter comeback from the visiting young quarterback in the frigid conditions.
The result handed one team a narrow advantage in their division, whereas the defeated team fell from the NFC's number one seed down to seventh.
Analysis: Where Has It Gone Wrong for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Projections give the Kansas City only a 15% chance of reaching the play-offs. In all likelihood, this could be the initial missed playoffs for star quarterback Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a decade.
During his seven complete seasons as a starting quarterback, he has reached seven conference championship contests and five Super Bowls. This means the team has competed in almost every available contest throughout his time.
So, the reasons for the current struggles are apparent and were highlighted during the recent loss. Injuries ravaged an already struggling O-line, with multiple starters missing.
Despite that, the quarterback gave his squad a chance, but missed kicks and critical drops—including on a decisive fourth-down attempt—sealed their fate.
Spotlight: Could the Super Bowl Be Destined for the Western US?
Two powerhouse teams from the West Coast conferences are building strong cases for Super Bowl favorites.
One team, atop their conference, won the last Super Bowl played at this year's stadium. They are constructed on a dominant defense that tops the league in quarterback takedowns and victories through grinding, time-consuming possessions.
The other contender, atop the NFC, showcased an dynamic offense capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They feature a two-headed running game to complement an exceptional passing game.
The question would be whether the high-flying offense can handle the relentless pass rush of the top defense—what would be a must-watch potential matchup.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Considering Calling It Quits?
Among the aftermath from the Chiefs' loss, comments from Patrick Mahomes about his star teammate sparked speculation about a possible retirement.
Hearing Mahomes say, "each year... I try to appreciate because you never know" definitely sounded like he was preparing for the veteran to hang up his cleats.
"He will have the choice to do what he wants to do after this season," Mahomes added. If the year concludes prematurely for the Chiefs, the 3x champion winner might decide to walk away.
Preview: Bills vs. Patriots Headlines Week 15
Josh Allen put on a show again for Buffalo in a wintry win. Allen threw three scores and ran for one more, responsible for a remarkable portion of his offense's total scores this year.
He is the only quarterback in NFL history with 3,000 passing yards, 20 touchdown passes and 10 rushing scores in three straight campaigns.
Next, he puts the team on his back once more as they try to catch their AFC East foes, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, they are exactly who they face this coming Sunday.
Major Upcoming Week Games:
- Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
- Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
Week 14 Statistical Highlights
- A kickoff runback for a 100-yard score—the biggest play of the year—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one offense.
- A star wide receiver caught 2 scores and remains on course for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
- A dominant defensive end recorded his twentieth QB sack of the campaign, closing in of the all-time record.
- An international placekicker played a key role for his squad in a upset victory in rainy conditions.
- A team that was shutout one week bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the following week.
- A struggling team saw its star quarterback return from an elbow issue, only to exit the contest again with a related ailment.
