Every game matters at this stage, with a number of massive conclusions in the fourteenth week that might decide postseason positions by the end of the season.
A 42-year Aaron Rodgers dealt a big setback to Lamar Jackson's play-off hopes, while the Buffalo Bills quarterback virtually ended the Cincinnati Bengals' hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defense presented a huge problem and may have concluded the Chiefs' season sooner than ever in the Mahomes tenure.
The Breakdown: Divisional Deciders Exceed the Expectations
A trio of huge division clashes did not disappoint.
Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, led his team to a tough close victory in Baltimore. He notched his initial running touchdown in nearly three years, but it was his deep throws to his top receiver that proved to be the deciding factor.
Lamar Jackson was out of sync as his team failed to capitalize on key chances—although they were frustrated by a late score being overturned. These franchises will meet again on the final day of the regular season.
Elsewhere, the oldest rivalry in the NFL saw a thrilling encounter. Even with touchdown bombs, an worn-out defensive unit had to thwart another late-game rally from the opposing rookie quarterback in the frigid conditions.
This result handed one team a narrow advantage in their NFC North, whereas the defeated team plummeted from the conference's number one seed all the way to outside the playoff picture.
In-Depth Look: Where Has It Gone Awry for the Chiefs?
Projections give the Chiefs only a 15% chance of reaching the play-offs. In all likelihood, this could be the initial missed playoffs for star quarterback Mahomes—and the first such for the franchise in a decade.
In his 7 full seasons as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to 7 conference championship contests and five Super Bowls. This means the club has competed in almost every available contest during his time.
Therefore, the reasons for the current struggles are clear and were highlighted during Sunday's loss. Absences decimated an already dodgy O-line, with multiple starters out.
Even then, Mahomes provided his squad a fighting chance, however missed kicks and critical dropped passes—including on a key fourth-down attempt—sealed their fate.
In Focus: Is the Super Bowl Be Heading for the West?
A pair of powerhouse contenders from the West Coast divisions are making strong arguments for Super Bowl favorites.
One team, atop their conference, claimed the most recent title held at this year's stadium. They are constructed on a stifling defence that leads the league in sacks and victories through grinding, time-consuming drives.
The second team, leading the NFC, showcased an high-powered offence capable of putting points on the board from any situation. They feature a two-headed running game to pair with an elite aerial attack.
The question would be if the high-flying offense could withstand the smothering pressure of the top defensive unit—what would be a must-watch playoff matchup.
Talking Point: A Star Tight End Considering Calling It Quits?
Among the aftermath from the Chiefs' loss, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his longtime tight end fueled rumors about a potential retirement.
Hearing Mahomes state, "every year... I try to appreciate because you never know" certainly seemed like the QB was preparing for the veteran to call it a day.
"He will have the option to do what he chooses to do after this season," he continued. Should the season concludes early for the Chiefs, the three-time Super Bowl veteran might choose to walk away.
Looking Ahead: Buffalo vs. New England Highlights the Upcoming Slate
The Bills' quarterback did it all once more for Buffalo in a wintry victory. Allen passed for 3 touchdowns and ran for another, responsible for a remarkable percentage of his offense's total scores this year.
Allen is the only quarterback in league annals with three thousand pass yards, 20 TD passes and ten rushing scores in three straight seasons.
Next, he tries to carry the Bills on his shoulders once more as they aim to chase down their AFC East rivals, the Patriots—and, that's exactly who they face next.
Major Upcoming Week Games:
- 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 year—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one offense.
- A prolific wide receiver caught two scores and is still on course for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
- A feared defensive end notched his twentieth QB sack of the season, closing in of the single-season mark.
- An international placekicker played a key role for his team in a surprise win in rainy weather.
- A team that was held scoreless one game bounced back with a shutout of its own the following week.
- A reeling team watched its star quarterback come back from an elbow issue, only to leave the contest once more with a similar ailment.
