Every game counts from here on in, with several massive conclusions in week 14 that may determine postseason positions come the end of the season.
A 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers dealt a significant blow to Lamar Jackson's postseason aspirations, while Josh Allen all-but ended Joe Burrow's hopes. At the same time, the Houston defense posed a massive problem and may have ended the Chiefs' campaign sooner than ever in the Mahomes tenure.
The Breakdown: Division Deciders Live Up To the Hype
Three critical division clashes lived up to the hype.
Veteran signal-caller Aaron Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, guided his squad to a tough close success in on the road. He notched his first running touchdown in almost three years, but it was his deep throws to his top wideout that made the deciding factor.
Lamar Jackson seemed out of sync as Baltimore failed to capitalize on crucial chances—although they were left fuming by a fourth-quarter touchdown being chalked off. The two teams are scheduled to face off once more on the last weekend of the season.
Elsewhere, the longest-running rivalry in the NFL witnessed a epic encounter. Despite touchdown bombs, an exhausted defense had to thwart another late-game rally from the opposing young quarterback in the frigid conditions.
This result gave one side a narrow lead in their division, whereas the defeated team plummeted from the conference's top spot down to outside the playoff picture.
In-Depth Look: Where Has It Gone Awry for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Projections give the Chiefs only a fifteen percent chance of reaching the postseason. In all likelihood, this will be the initial missed playoffs for franchise QB Patrick Mahomes—and the first for the organization in a decade.
In his seven full years as a starting quarterback, he has reached seven AFC Championship games and 5 championship games. This indicates the team has competed in nearly every possible contest during his tenure.
So, the causes for the current struggles are evident and were encapsulated during the recent defeat. Absences ravaged an already dodgy O-line, with several starters missing.
Even then, Mahomes provided his team a fighting chance, however failed kicks and costly drops—including on a pivotal fourth down play—sealed their downfall.
Spotlight: Is the Super Bowl Be Heading for the West?
A pair of top teams from the West Coast divisions are making compelling arguments for Super Bowl contention.
One squad, atop their conference, claimed the most recent Super Bowl held at February's venue. They are constructed on a stifling defence that tops the NFL in sacks and victories through grinding, long drives.
The other contender, leading the other conference, demonstrated an dynamic offense capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They boast a formidable running game to pair with an elite aerial attack.
A key matchup would be whether the potent offence could handle the smothering pass rush of the elite defense—what would be a fascinating potential matchup.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Pondering Retirement?
Among the aftermath from the Kansas City's loss, comments from the quarterback about his star teammate fueled rumors about a possible retirement.
Hearing Mahomes say, "each season... I try to appreciate because you never know" certainly seemed 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 following this campaign," he continued. If the year ends early for the Chiefs, the 3x champion winner could decide to retire.
Preview: Buffalo vs. Patriots Headlines Week 15
Josh Allen put on a show again for his team in a wintry victory. He threw 3 scores and rushed for another, responsible for a staggering portion of his offense's total scores this year.
He is the first quarterback in NFL annals with 3,000 passing yards, twenty TD passes and ten running touchdowns in three consecutive campaigns.
Next, he puts the team on his shoulders again as they aim to catch their division rivals, the Patriots—and, they are precisely who they play next.
Key Upcoming Week Matchups:
- Buffalo Bills @ Patriots
- Lions @ Los Angeles 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 biggest scoring play of the season—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one team.
- A prolific receiver scored two touchdowns and remains tracking for a record-breaking 2,000-yard receiving.
- A feared pass rusher recorded his twentieth QB sack of the season, moving within reach of the single-season mark.
- An international kicker helped his team in a upset win in soggy conditions.
- A team that was held scoreless one game responded with a shutout of its own the next.
- A struggling franchise watched its star quarterback come back from injury, only to leave the contest once more with a related ailment.
