Each contest counts from here on in, with some enormous results in week 14 that could settle postseason positions come the conclusion of the season.
A 42-year veteran quarterback landed a major blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off hopes, whereas Josh Allen virtually ended Joe Burrow's hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston defence posed a huge challenge and could have concluded the Kansas City Chiefs campaign sooner than ever in the Mahomes era.
The Breakdown: Divisional Showdowns Exceed the Anticipation
Three huge divisional battles delivered.
Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, led his team to a gritty 27-22 victory in on the road. The future Hall of Famer notched his first running score in almost three years, but it was his long passes to his star receiver that proved to be the difference.
The Ravens' quarterback was out of kilter as his team failed to capitalize on key opportunities—although they were angry by a late touchdown being nullified. The two franchises are scheduled to face off again on the final weekend of the regular season.
Elsewhere, the oldest rivalry in the NFL saw a classic contest. Despite scoring bombs, an worn-out defensive unit had to stop another fourth-quarter comeback from the opposing young quarterback in the frigid conditions.
The result handed one team a slender lead in their NFC North, whereas the losers fell from the conference's top spot all the way to seventh.
In-Depth Look: Where Has It Gone Awry for the Chiefs?
Statistical models assign the Kansas City only a 15% chance of making the postseason. In all likelihood, this will be the initial missed playoffs for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first for the franchise in a decade.
In Mahomes' seven complete seasons as a starter, he has advanced to 7 AFC Championship contests and 5 Super Bowls. This means the club has competed in almost every possible contest during his tenure.
Therefore, the reasons for the current struggles are apparent and were highlighted during the recent defeat. Absences decimated an already questionable O-line, with several starters missing.
Despite that, the quarterback gave his squad a chance, however missed kicks and costly dropped passes—such as on a key fourth-down attempt—sealed their downfall.
Spotlight: Could the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the West?
A pair of powerhouse contenders from the western conferences are making compelling arguments for championship favorites.
One squad, atop their the AFC, won the last Super Bowl played at this year's stadium. They are constructed on a stifling defense that leads the league in quarterback takedowns and victories through grinding, time-consuming possessions.
The other contender, atop the other conference, demonstrated an dynamic offence capable of putting points on the board from any situation. They feature a formidable running game to pair with an elite passing game.
The question could be whether the high-flying offense can solve the smothering pass rush of the top defensive unit—a a must-watch playoff showdown.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Considering Retirement?
Among the aftermath from the Chiefs' defeat, comments from Patrick Mahomes about his longtime teammate sparked speculation about a possible departure.
Listening to Mahomes say, "every year... I try to cherish since you never know" definitely sounded like the QB was preparing for the veteran to call it a day.
"The tight end will have the option to do what he chooses to do following this season," he continued. Should the year concludes prematurely for the Chiefs, the three-time Super Bowl winner could decide to retire.
Looking Ahead: Bills vs. Patriots Headlines the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen put on a show once more for his team in a snowy win. He threw three scores and ran for another, responsible for a staggering percentage of his offense's total scores this season.
Allen is the only quarterback in league annals with three thousand passing yards, 20 TD throws and 10 rushing scores in 3 straight seasons.
Next, he tries to carry the Bills on his shoulders once more as they try to chase down their division foes, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, that's exactly who they face next.
Key Upcoming Week Games:
- Bills @ New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff runback for a 100-yard score—the longest scoring play of the season—sparked a second-half onslaught for one offense.
- A star wide receiver scored 2 scores and is still tracking for a record-breaking 2,000-yard receiving.
- A feared pass rusher recorded his twentieth QB sack of the campaign, moving within reach of the single-season record.
- An international kicker played a key role for his team in a surprise victory in soggy conditions.
- A team that was held scoreless one game bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the following week.
- A struggling team watched its franchise QB return from injury, only to exit the game once more with a related ailment.
