Every contest counts from here on in, with a number of enormous results in week 14 that might decide postseason berths come the conclusion of the season.
A 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers dealt a significant blow to Lamar Jackson's postseason aspirations, while Josh Allen all-but terminated the Cincinnati Bengals' hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defense presented a huge problem and could have ended the Chiefs' campaign sooner than ever in the Mahomes tenure.
Divisional Analysis: Division Showdowns Live Up To the Hype
Three massive division clashes lived up to the hype.
Veteran quarterback Rodgers, competing with a injured wrist, steered his team to a gritty 27-22 win in on the road. He scored his first rushing touchdown in almost three seasons, but it was his long passes to his top wideout that made the deciding factor.
The Ravens' quarterback seemed out of kilter as his team missed crucial opportunities—though they were angry by a fourth-quarter touchdown being overturned. These teams are scheduled to face off once more on the last day of the regular season.
Elsewhere, the oldest feud in the NFL witnessed a epic contest. Even with scoring deep passes, an exhausted defense had to halt another fourth-quarter rally from the visiting young QB in the frigid weather.
The result handed one team a narrow lead in their division, while the defeated team dropped from the conference's top spot down to outside the playoff picture.
Analysis: What Has Gone Wrong for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Statistical models assign the Kansas City only a 15% probability of making the postseason. Realistically, this will be the first missed post-season for star quarterback Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a ten years.
In his seven complete seasons as a starting quarterback, he has reached seven conference championship contests and five championship games. This means the team has competed in nearly every available game throughout his tenure.
Therefore, the causes for the current struggles are evident and were summed up during Sunday's defeat. Injuries decimated an already questionable O-line, with several key players out.
Even then, Mahomes provided his team a chance, however failed kicks and crucial dropped passes—such as on a decisive fourth-down attempt—confirmed their fate.
In Focus: Could the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the West?
A pair of top teams from the western divisions are making strong arguments for Super Bowl favorites.
One squad, leading their conference, claimed the most recent Super Bowl played at February's stadium. They are constructed on a stifling defense that leads the league in sacks and victories through grinding, long possessions.
The other contender, leading the other conference, demonstrated an explosive offense capable of scoring from anywhere. They feature a two-headed ground attack to pair with an exceptional aerial game.
The question would be if the high-flying offense could solve the relentless pass rush of the elite defensive unit—what would be a must-watch playoff showdown.
Talking Point: A Star Tight End Considering Retirement?
Amid the aftermath from the Kansas City's loss, remarks from the quarterback about his longtime tight end sparked talk about a potential departure.
Listening to Mahomes state, "each season... I try to appreciate because you never know" definitely sounded like the QB was bracing for the veteran to call it a day.
"The tight end will have the choice to do whatever he wants to do after this season," he continued. Should the year ends prematurely for the team, the three-time champion winner might decide to walk away.
Preview: Bills vs. New England Headlines the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen did it all once more for his team in a snowy victory. He threw 3 scores and ran for another, responsible for a remarkable portion of his offense's overall touchdowns this year.
Allen is the only quarterback in league annals with three thousand pass yards, 20 TD passes and 10 rushing scores in three straight seasons.
Now, he puts the Bills on his back again as they aim to catch their AFC East rivals, the Patriots—coincidentally, they are exactly who they play next.
Key Upcoming Week Games:
- Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
- Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Broncos
- Chargers @ Chiefs
This Week's Statistical Highlights
- A kick-off runback for a 100-yard touchdown—the biggest play of the season—sparked a scoring blitz for one team.
- A star receiver scored 2 touchdowns and is still on course for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
- A dominant defensive end notched his 20th QB sack of the campaign, closing in of the all-time record.
- An international kicker helped his squad in a upset victory in rainy conditions.
- A offense that was shutout one week responded with a clean sheet of its own the next.
- A struggling team saw its star quarterback return from injury, only to exit the game once more with a similar ailment.
