Every game matters from here on in, with some massive results in the fourteenth week that could decide postseason berths come the conclusion of the season.
A 42-year Aaron Rodgers struck a significant blow to Lamar Jackson's postseason aspirations, while Josh Allen virtually terminated Joe Burrow's hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston defence posed a significant problem and could have finished the Kansas City Chiefs campaign sooner than ever in the Mahomes era.
The Breakdown: Divisional Deciders Live Up To the Anticipation
Three critical rivalry games lived up to the hype.
Veteran quarterback Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, steered his team to a hard-fought 27-22 victory in on the road. The future Hall of Famer recorded his first running score in nearly three years, however it was his long throws to his star receiver that made the difference.
The Ravens' quarterback seemed off rhythm as his team missed key opportunities—although they were frustrated by a late score being chalked off. The two teams are scheduled to face off again on the final weekend of the regular season.
In another, the longest-running rivalry in the NFL witnessed a epic encounter. Even with scoring deep passes, an worn-out defense had to halt another fourth-quarter comeback from the visiting young quarterback in the freezing weather.
The result handed one team a narrow lead in their division, while the defeated team dropped from the NFC's top spot all the way to outside the playoff picture.
Analysis: Where Has It Gone Awry for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Projections assign the Chiefs only a 15% probability of reaching the play-offs. Realistically, this will be the first missed post-season for franchise QB Mahomes—and the first for the franchise in a decade.
During his 7 complete seasons as a starting quarterback, he has reached seven AFC Championship contests and 5 Super Bowls. That means the team has played nearly every available game throughout his time.
So, the reasons for this year's struggles are clear and were encapsulated during Sunday's loss. Absences decimated an already dodgy O-line, with several key players out.
Even then, Mahomes gave his squad a chance, however failed kicks and crucial dropped passes—including on a pivotal fourth-down play—confirmed their downfall.
In Focus: Could the Lombardi Trophy Be Destined for the West?
Two top teams from the West Coast divisions are building strong arguments for championship favorites.
One squad, atop their conference, claimed the most recent Super Bowl played at February's venue. They are constructed on a dominant defence that tops the NFL in sacks and wins through grinding, long drives.
The other team, leading the other conference, showcased an explosive offense capable of scoring from anywhere. They feature a formidable ground attack to complement an elite passing game.
A key matchup could be if the potent offence could withstand the relentless pressure of the elite defense—what would be a must-watch playoff showdown.
Discussion: Travis Kelce Pondering Retirement?
Among the aftermath from the Kansas City's defeat, comments from the quarterback about his star tight end sparked rumors about a possible retirement.
Listening to him state, "every year... I try to appreciate since you never know" definitely seemed like he was bracing for the 36-year-old to hang up his cleats.
"The tight end will have the option to do whatever he chooses to do following this campaign," he continued. Should the year concludes early for the team, the 3x champion winner could choose to retire.
Preview: Bills vs. Patriots Headlines the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen put on a show once more for Buffalo in a snowy win. Allen passed for 3 scores and rushed for another, accounting for a remarkable portion of his team's overall touchdowns this year.
He is the only player in NFL history with 3,000 pass yards, twenty TD throws and ten running scores in three consecutive seasons.
Next, he tries to carry the Bills on his back once more as they try to catch their AFC East rivals, the Patriots—and, they are exactly who they play next.
Major Upcoming Week Games:
- Bills @ New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff return for a 100-yard score—the longest scoring play of the year—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one team.
- A prolific receiver caught 2 touchdowns and is still on course for a historic 2,000-yard season.
- A dominant defensive end recorded his twentieth QB sack of the campaign, moving within reach of the all-time record.
- An overseas placekicker played a key role for his squad in a surprise win in soggy weather.
- A offense that was held scoreless one game responded with a shutout of its own the next.
- A struggling franchise watched its star quarterback return from an elbow issue, only to exit the game once more with a similar injury.
