Every matchup is crucial at this stage, with some enormous conclusions in week 14 that might decide postseason berths come the end of the season.
A 42-year-old veteran quarterback landed a significant blow to the Baltimore Ravens' postseason aspirations, whereas Josh Allen virtually ended Joe Burrow's hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defense presented a huge challenge and could have ended the Chiefs' campaign earlier than ever in the Patrick Mahomes era.
Divisional Analysis: Divisional Showdowns Exceed the Hype
A trio of huge division clashes lived up to the hype.
Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, playing with a fractured wrist, steered his team to a gritty 27-22 success in Baltimore. He recorded his first rushing touchdown in nearly three seasons, but it was his deep passes to his top receiver that proved to be the difference.
Lamar Jackson seemed out of kilter as his team missed crucial opportunities—although they were frustrated by a fourth-quarter score being overturned. These teams will meet once more on the last day of the regular season.
In another, the oldest feud in the NFL witnessed a classic contest. Even with touchdown bombs, an worn-out defense had to halt another late-game rally from the opposing young quarterback in the freezing conditions.
This outcome handed one team a narrow advantage in their division, whereas the defeated team plummeted from the conference's number one seed down to outside the playoff picture.
In-Depth Look: Where Has It Gone Awry for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Statistical models assign the Kansas City only a 15% probability of making the postseason. Realistically, this will be the first missed post-season for franchise QB Mahomes—and the first for the organization in a decade.
In his 7 full seasons as a starting quarterback, he has reached seven conference championship games and 5 Super Bowls. This means the club has played nearly each available game throughout his tenure.
So, the causes for this year's failure are apparent and were summed up during Sunday's defeat. Absences decimated an already struggling O-line, with several starters out.
Despite that, Mahomes gave his squad a fighting chance, however failed field goals and costly dropped passes—including on a pivotal fourth down attempt—sealed their downfall.
Spotlight: Could the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the West?
A pair of powerhouse teams from the West Coast conferences are making strong cases for championship contention.
One team, atop their conference, won the last title held at February's venue. They are constructed on a stifling defense that tops the NFL in sacks and wins through methodical, long possessions.
The other contender, atop the NFC, showcased an explosive offense capable of putting points on the board from any situation. They boast a formidable ground attack to pair with an elite passing game.
A key matchup could be if the high-flying offence can solve the smothering pass rush of the elite defense—a a must-watch playoff matchup.
Talking Point: A Star Tight End Considering Calling It Quits?
Among the fallout from the Kansas City's defeat, comments from Patrick Mahomes about his star teammate sparked rumors about a possible departure.
Listening to him say, "every season... I try to appreciate because you never know" definitely seemed like he was preparing for the veteran to hang up his cleats.
"He will have the choice to do what he wants to do following this campaign," he added. Should the year concludes prematurely for the Chiefs, the 3x champion veteran could decide to retire.
Preview: Buffalo vs. New England Highlights the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen put on a show once more for his team in a snowy win. He passed for 3 touchdowns and rushed for one more, responsible for a staggering percentage of his team's overall scores this year.
Allen is the only player in NFL annals with three thousand pass yards, 20 touchdown passes and 10 running touchdowns in three straight seasons.
Now, he puts the Bills on his back once more as they try to catch their AFC East foes, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, they are precisely who they face next.
Major Upcoming Week Games:
- Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
This Week's Statistical Highlights
- A kick-off return for a 100-yard touchdown—the longest scoring play of the season—sparked a scoring blitz for one team.
- A star receiver caught two scores and is still tracking for a historic 2,000-yard season.
- A feared defensive end recorded his twentieth QB sack of the campaign, moving within reach of the all-time record.
- An international kicker helped his team in a surprise victory in rainy conditions.
- A offense that was shutout one game responded with a clean sheet of its own the next.
- A reeling franchise watched its star QB come back from injury, only to exit the game again with a similar injury.
