Every contest counts at this stage, with several enormous results in week 14 that may decide play-off positions by the end of the season.
A 42-year-old veteran quarterback dealt a major blow to the Baltimore Ravens' postseason aspirations, while Josh Allen virtually terminated the Cincinnati Bengals' hopes. At the same time, the Houston defence posed a massive challenge and could have finished the Kansas City Chiefs campaign sooner than ever before in the Patrick Mahomes tenure.
The Breakdown: Division Showdowns Live Up To the Hype
A trio of critical divisional battles did not disappoint.
Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, steered his team to a tough close win in on the road. He notched his first rushing touchdown in nearly three years, but it was his long throws to his top receiver that made the deciding factor.
Lamar Jackson was out of sync as his team missed crucial chances—although they were left fuming by a late touchdown being nullified. These franchises will meet again on the last weekend of the regular season.
In another, the longest-running feud in the NFL saw a epic encounter. Even with touchdown deep passes, an worn-out defensive unit had to stop another late-game comeback from the opposing young quarterback in the frigid weather.
The outcome handed one team a narrow lead in their division, whereas the losers dropped from the conference's number one seed down to outside the playoff picture.
In-Depth Look: Where Has It Gone Awry for the Chiefs?
Projections give the Kansas City only a 15% probability of making the play-offs. In all likelihood, this will be the initial missed post-season for star quarterback Mahomes—and the first such for the franchise in a ten years.
In his seven full years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to 7 conference championship games and five championship games. That indicates the team has competed in almost every possible contest throughout his time.
So, the causes for the current struggles are apparent and were highlighted during the recent loss. Absences ravaged an already dodgy O-line, with multiple starters out.
Despite that, the quarterback provided his squad a chance, however failed kicks and costly drops—including on a pivotal fourth down attempt—sealed their fate.
In Focus: Is the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the West?
Two top contenders from the western divisions are building compelling arguments for Super Bowl favorites.
One squad, leading their the AFC, won the most recent Super Bowl held at this year's stadium. They are constructed on a stifling defense that tops the NFL in sacks and wins through grinding, long drives.
The other contender, leading the other conference, demonstrated an dynamic offense capable of scoring from any situation. They boast a formidable running game to pair with an exceptional passing game.
The question could be if the high-flying offence could handle the smothering pass rush of the top defensive unit—a a fascinating playoff showdown.
Discussion: Travis Kelce Considering Calling It Quits?
Among the fallout from the Chiefs' defeat, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his longtime tight end sparked talk about a possible retirement.
Listening to him state, "every year... I try to appreciate because you never know" definitely sounded like the QB was preparing for the 36-year-old to call it a day.
"The tight end will have the option to do what he chooses to do after this season," he added. If the year concludes prematurely for the Chiefs, the three-time Super Bowl winner could choose to retire.
Preview: Bills vs. Patriots Highlights the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen put on a show again for Buffalo in a wintry victory. He threw 3 scores and rushed for another, responsible for a remarkable portion of his offense's overall touchdowns this year.
He is the only quarterback in NFL history with 3,000 pass yards, twenty TD throws and ten running scores in 3 straight campaigns.
Now, he puts the team on his shoulders again as they try to catch their AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, they are precisely who they face next.
Major Week 15 Games:
- Bills @ Patriots
- Lions @ Rams
- Packers @ Broncos
- Chargers @ Chiefs
Week 14 Statistical Highlights
- A kickoff return for a 100-yard touchdown—the biggest scoring play of the year—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one offense.
- A prolific wide receiver caught two touchdowns and is still on course for a record-breaking 2,000-yard season.
- A dominant defensive end notched his twentieth QB sack of the season, closing in of the all-time record.
- An overseas placekicker played a key role for his squad in a upset victory in soggy conditions.
- A offense that was shutout one week bounced back with a shutout of its own the following week.
- A reeling team saw its star QB return from injury, only to exit the contest once more with a related injury.
