Every matchup is crucial at this stage, with a number of huge results in the fourteenth week that might settle play-off spots by the conclusion of the campaign.
A 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers dealt a major blow to the Baltimore Ravens' postseason hopes, whereas Josh Allen all-but finished Joe Burrow's hopes. At the same time, the Houston defence presented a massive problem and may have finished the Chiefs' campaign sooner than ever in the Mahomes tenure.
Divisional Analysis: Division Showdowns Live Up To the Hype
A trio of massive division clashes did not disappoint.
Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, playing with a fractured wrist, steered his squad to a gritty close success in on the road. He recorded his initial running score in nearly three seasons, however it was his long passes to his top receiver that proved to be the difference.
Lamar Jackson was out of kilter as his team failed to capitalize on crucial opportunities—though they were frustrated by a fourth-quarter score being chalked off. The two teams will meet once more on the last day of the regular season.
Elsewhere, the oldest feud in the league saw a thrilling contest. Despite touchdown deep passes, an worn-out defensive unit had to stop another fourth-quarter comeback from the opposing rookie quarterback in the freezing weather.
The outcome gave one team a narrow lead in their division, while the defeated team fell from the conference's top spot down to outside the playoff picture.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Wrong for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Projections give the Chiefs only a fifteen percent probability of making the play-offs. In all likelihood, this could be the initial missed post-season for star quarterback Mahomes—and the first such for the franchise in a ten years.
During Mahomes' 7 complete years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to seven AFC Championship contests and 5 championship games. This means the club has played nearly every possible contest throughout his time.
Therefore, the causes for this year's struggles are apparent and were highlighted during Sunday's loss. Injuries decimated an already struggling O-line, with multiple starters out.
Even then, Mahomes gave his team a fighting chance, but missed field goals and costly drops—such as on a decisive fourth down attempt—sealed their downfall.
In Focus: Is the Super Bowl Be Heading for the West?
A pair of powerhouse contenders from the western conferences are building strong cases for championship favorites.
One team, leading their conference, claimed the last title played at February's stadium. They are built on a dominant defence that leads the NFL in quarterback takedowns and wins through grinding, time-consuming possessions.
The other contender, leading the other conference, demonstrated an high-powered offence capable of putting points on the board from any situation. They boast a two-headed ground game to pair with an exceptional passing game.
The question would be if the high-flying offence can solve the relentless pass rush of the top defensive unit—a a fascinating potential matchup.
Talking Point: Travis Kelce Considering Calling It Quits?
Amid the fallout from the Kansas City's defeat, comments from Patrick Mahomes about his star tight end sparked talk about a potential retirement.
Listening to him say, "each season... I try to cherish since you never know" certainly sounded like he was bracing for the veteran to call it a day.
"He will have the choice to do whatever he wants to do after this campaign," Mahomes continued. Should the season concludes prematurely for the Chiefs, the three-time Super Bowl veteran could choose to retire.
Preview: Bills vs. New England Headlines Week 15
Josh Allen did it all again for Buffalo in a wintry win. He passed for 3 touchdowns and rushed for another, responsible for a remarkable percentage of his offense's overall scores this season.
Allen is the only player in NFL annals with three thousand passing yards, twenty touchdown passes and ten running touchdowns in 3 straight campaigns.
Next, he tries to carry the Bills on his shoulders once more as they aim to catch their AFC East foes, the Patriots—and, that's exactly who they face next.
Major Upcoming Week Matchups:
- Bills @ New England Patriots
- Lions @ Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Chargers @ Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff return for a 100-yard score—the biggest scoring play of the year—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one offense.
- A star wide receiver caught two touchdowns and is still tracking for a historic 2,000-yard season.
- A feared defensive end notched his twentieth QB sack of the campaign, moving within reach of the single-season mark.
- An overseas placekicker helped his team in a upset win in soggy conditions.
- A offense that was shutout one game responded with a shutout of its own the following week.
- A struggling franchise watched its star QB return from injury, only to exit the game once more with a similar ailment.