Every contest counts from here on in, with a number of enormous results in the fourteenth week that could settle postseason spots by the end of the campaign.
A 42-year veteran quarterback struck a significant blow to the Baltimore Ravens' postseason hopes, while Josh Allen virtually ended the Cincinnati Bengals' chances. At the same time, the Houston Texans defense posed a huge problem and may have finished the Chiefs' campaign earlier than ever before in the Patrick Mahomes era.
The Breakdown: Division Showdowns Live Up To the Hype
A trio of huge rivalry games did not disappoint.
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, playing with a fractured wrist, led his team to a hard-fought 27-22 win in Baltimore. He notched his first rushing score in nearly three seasons, however it was his long passes to his star wideout that made the deciding factor.
The Ravens' quarterback was out of sync as Baltimore missed crucial opportunities—though they were frustrated by a fourth-quarter score being nullified. The two franchises will meet once more on the final weekend of the season.
Elsewhere, the oldest feud in the league saw a epic encounter. Despite touchdown bombs, an exhausted defense had to thwart another fourth-quarter rally from the opposing young quarterback in the frigid conditions.
This result gave one side a slender lead in their NFC North, while the losers dropped from the NFC's number one seed all the way to seventh.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Awry for the Chiefs?
Statistical models give the Chiefs only a fifteen percent probability of reaching the play-offs. Realistically, this could be the initial missed post-season for franchise QB Patrick Mahomes—and the first for the franchise in a decade.
During Mahomes' seven complete seasons as a starter, he has advanced to seven conference championship contests and five championship games. That indicates the team has played nearly each available contest during his time.
Therefore, the reasons for the current struggles are apparent and were highlighted during Sunday's defeat. Injuries ravaged an already struggling O-line, with several key players out.
Even then, Mahomes provided his team a fighting chance, but missed field goals and costly dropped passes—such as on a key fourth down play—confirmed their fate.
In Focus: Is the Super Bowl Be Heading for the Western US?
A pair of top teams from the West Coast conferences are making compelling cases for Super Bowl contention.
One team, leading their the AFC, won the last title held at February's venue. They are built on a stifling defense that leads the NFL in sacks and wins through grinding, time-consuming drives.
The second team, atop the other conference, demonstrated an dynamic offence capable of putting points on the board from any situation. They boast a two-headed running attack to complement an exceptional passing attack.
A key matchup could be if the high-flying offence could handle the relentless pass rush of the elite defense—a a fascinating playoff matchup.
Talking Point: A Star Tight End Considering Retirement?
Among the aftermath from the Kansas City's loss, remarks from the quarterback about his longtime tight end sparked talk about a possible retirement.
Hearing Mahomes state, "each season... I try to cherish since you never know" certainly sounded like he was bracing for the 36-year-old to hang up his cleats.
"The tight end will have the choice to do whatever he chooses to do after this season," Mahomes added. Should the year concludes early for the Chiefs, the three-time champion veteran might choose to walk away.
Preview: Bills vs. New England Headlines Week 15
Josh Allen put on a show again for Buffalo in a snowy win. He threw three scores and rushed for one more, accounting for a remarkable portion of his offense's total scores this year.
He is the only quarterback in NFL annals with three thousand passing yards, twenty touchdown throws and ten running touchdowns in 3 consecutive campaigns.
Next, he tries to carry the Bills on his back once more as they try to chase down their division rivals, the New England Patriots—and, they are exactly who they play next.
Major Upcoming Week Matchups:
- Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kick-off return for a 100-yard touchdown—the biggest play of the season—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one team.
- A prolific wide receiver caught 2 touchdowns and is still on course for a record-breaking 2,000-yard season.
- A feared pass rusher recorded his 20th sack of the season, closing in of the single-season record.
- An international kicker helped his squad in a surprise win in rainy conditions.
- A team that was held scoreless one game bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the next.
- A struggling team saw its star quarterback come back from injury, only to exit the contest again with a related ailment.
