Every game is crucial down the stretch, with some enormous conclusions in week 14 that might determine postseason berths come the end of the campaign.
A 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers struck a big blow to the Baltimore Ravens' postseason hopes, whereas Josh Allen virtually terminated Joe Burrow's hopes. At the same time, the Houston Texans defence posed a huge problem and could have concluded the Kansas City Chiefs campaign sooner than ever before in the Patrick Mahomes era.
The Breakdown: Division Deciders Live Up To the Anticipation
A trio of massive rivalry games lived up to the hype.
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, playing with a fractured wrist, led his team to a tough 27-22 success in on the road. He recorded his initial running touchdown in nearly three years, but it was his long throws to his star receiver that proved to be the difference.
Lamar Jackson was out of sync as his team missed crucial chances—though they were angry by a fourth-quarter touchdown being nullified. The two teams are scheduled to face off again on the last weekend of the regular season.
In another, the oldest feud in the NFL saw a epic contest. Despite touchdown deep passes, an exhausted defensive unit had to halt another fourth-quarter rally from the visiting rookie QB in the frigid weather.
The outcome handed one team a narrow advantage in their NFC North, while the losers fell from the conference's top spot down to seventh.
Analysis: What Has Gone Wrong for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Projections assign the Chiefs only a fifteen percent chance of making the play-offs. Realistically, this could be the initial missed post-season for franchise QB Patrick Mahomes—and the first for the organization in a ten years.
During his 7 full years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to seven AFC Championship games and five championship games. This means the team has competed in almost each available game during his tenure.
So, the reasons for this year's struggles are apparent and were summed up during Sunday's defeat. Absences decimated an already struggling O-line, with several starters missing.
Even then, the quarterback gave his team a chance, but missed kicks and critical dropped passes—such as on a decisive fourth-down attempt—confirmed their downfall.
In Focus: Could the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the West?
Two powerhouse contenders from the western conferences are building compelling arguments for Super Bowl favorites.
One squad, leading their the AFC, won the last title played at February's stadium. They are constructed on a stifling defense that leads the league in quarterback takedowns and victories through grinding, long possessions.
The other team, leading the NFC, showcased an explosive offence capable of scoring from anywhere. They feature a formidable running game to complement an elite aerial game.
The question could be if the potent offence can withstand the smothering pressure of the top defense—a a fascinating playoff showdown.
Talking Point: Travis Kelce Pondering Retirement?
Among the fallout from the Kansas City's loss, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his star tight end fueled speculation about a possible retirement.
Hearing Mahomes say, "every season... I try to appreciate since you never know" certainly sounded like the QB was bracing for the veteran to hang up his cleats.
"The tight end will have the option to do what he chooses to do after this campaign," Mahomes added. Should the year ends prematurely for the Chiefs, the three-time champion winner could choose to walk away.
Preview: Buffalo vs. New England Highlights the Upcoming Slate
The Bills' quarterback put on a show again for Buffalo in a wintry victory. He threw three scores and ran for another, responsible for a staggering percentage of his team's total scores this year.
He is the only quarterback in league history with 3,000 pass yards, 20 TD throws and ten running touchdowns in 3 consecutive campaigns.
Now, he tries to carry the Bills on his shoulders again as they try to chase down their division foes, the New England Patriots—and, they are precisely who they face this coming Sunday.
Key Upcoming Week Games:
- Bills @ Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Rams
- Packers @ Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kick-off runback for a 100-yard score—the biggest scoring play of the year—kick-started a scoring blitz for one team.
- A prolific wide receiver scored 2 touchdowns and is still tracking for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
- A dominant defensive end recorded his 20th QB sack of the season, closing in of the single-season mark.
- An overseas placekicker helped his squad in a surprise victory in soggy weather.
- A team that was shutout one week bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the following week.
- A reeling team watched its star quarterback return from an elbow issue, only to exit the game once more with a similar ailment.
