Every matchup is crucial from here on in, with a number of enormous conclusions in week 14 that might settle postseason berths by the end of the campaign.
A 42-year Aaron Rodgers struck a big blow to Lamar Jackson's postseason hopes, while the Buffalo Bills quarterback all-but finished Joe Burrow's hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston defence posed a massive problem and may have finished the Chiefs' campaign sooner than ever before in the Patrick Mahomes tenure.
Divisional Analysis: Division Showdowns Live Up To the Hype
A trio of critical rivalry games lived up to the hype.
Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, playing with a fractured wrist, led his squad to a hard-fought 27-22 win in Baltimore. The future Hall of Famer recorded his first rushing score in nearly three years, but it was his long passes to his top receiver that made the deciding factor.
Lamar Jackson seemed out of kilter as his team failed to capitalize on crucial opportunities—although they were angry by a fourth-quarter score being overturned. The two franchises will meet once more on the last weekend of the regular season.
Elsewhere, the longest-running feud in the league saw a epic contest. Despite touchdown bombs, an worn-out defensive unit had to halt another fourth-quarter comeback from the opposing rookie quarterback in the frigid conditions.
The outcome handed one side a slender advantage in their NFC North, while the losers fell from the NFC's number one seed all the way to outside the playoff picture.
Analysis: What Has Gone Wrong for the Chiefs?
Projections assign the Kansas City only a 15% chance of reaching the play-offs. Realistically, this will be the first missed post-season for star quarterback Mahomes—and the first such for the franchise in a ten years.
In Mahomes' seven complete years as a starting quarterback, he has reached 7 AFC Championship games and 5 championship games. That means the team has competed in nearly every available game throughout his tenure.
Therefore, the causes for this year's failure are clear and were summed up during the recent loss. Injuries ravaged an already dodgy offensive line, with several key players out.
Even then, Mahomes gave his squad a chance, however missed field goals and crucial dropped passes—including on a decisive fourth-down play—sealed their fate.
Spotlight: Could the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the West?
A pair of top teams from the western conferences are building compelling arguments for Super Bowl contention.
One squad, leading their conference, claimed the last title held at this year's venue. They are built on a stifling defense that leads the league in sacks and wins through grinding, long drives.
The second team, leading the NFC, showcased an explosive offense capable of scoring from anywhere. They boast a formidable ground game to pair with an elite aerial game.
The question would be if the potent offense could solve the smothering pressure of the top defensive unit—a a fascinating playoff showdown.
Talking Point: A Star Tight End Pondering Retirement?
Among the fallout from the Chiefs' loss, comments from Patrick Mahomes about his star tight end sparked talk about a potential retirement.
Listening to Mahomes state, "each season... I try to appreciate because you never know" definitely sounded like the QB was bracing 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," Mahomes added. If the year ends early for the team, the three-time champion winner could choose to walk away.
Preview: Buffalo vs. Patriots Highlights the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen did it all again for his team in a snowy victory. He passed for three scores and rushed for another, responsible for a staggering portion of his team's total scores this year.
He is the only player in NFL history with three thousand passing yards, twenty touchdown throws and ten running scores in 3 consecutive campaigns.
Next, he puts the team on his back again as they try to catch their division foes, the Patriots—coincidentally, they are exactly who they play this coming Sunday.
Major Upcoming Week Matchups:
- Buffalo Bills @ Patriots
- Lions @ Rams
- Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Chargers @ Chiefs
Week 14 Statistical Highlights
- A kickoff runback for a 100-yard touchdown—the biggest scoring play of the season—sparked a scoring blitz for one team.
- A prolific receiver caught two scores and is still on course for a record-breaking 2,000-yard season.
- A dominant pass rusher recorded his 20th sack of the campaign, closing in of the all-time mark.
- An overseas placekicker helped his squad in a upset win in rainy weather.
- A offense that was shutout one game responded with a shutout of its own the next.
- A struggling team watched its franchise QB return from an elbow issue, only to leave the contest once more with a similar ailment.
