Each game counts from here on in, with several huge results in the fourteenth week that could determine play-off berths come the end of the season.
A 42-year-old veteran quarterback landed a big blow to Lamar Jackson's postseason aspirations, whereas Josh Allen all-but finished the Cincinnati Bengals' hopes. At the same time, the Houston defense presented a huge challenge and may have finished the Kansas City Chiefs campaign earlier than ever before in the Mahomes era.
The Breakdown: Divisional Deciders Exceed the Anticipation
A trio of huge rivalry games did not disappoint.
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, competing with a injured wrist, steered his team to a hard-fought 27-22 success in Baltimore. He recorded his initial running touchdown in nearly three seasons, but it was his deep throws to his star receiver that made the deciding factor.
Lamar Jackson was out of kilter as Baltimore missed key opportunities—although they were angry by a late score being nullified. The two franchises are scheduled to face off again on the final day of the season.
Elsewhere, the longest-running rivalry in the NFL saw a epic contest. Even with scoring deep passes, an exhausted defensive unit had to thwart another late-game comeback from the opposing young QB in the freezing conditions.
The outcome gave one side a slender lead in their division, while the defeated team plummeted from the NFC's number one seed down to seventh.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Wrong for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Projections give the Chiefs only a fifteen percent probability of making the postseason. In all likelihood, this will be the first missed playoffs for star quarterback Mahomes—and the first such for the franchise in a decade.
During his 7 full years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to seven AFC Championship contests and five Super Bowls. This indicates the club has competed in nearly each possible contest during his time.
So, the causes for the current failure are clear and were summed up during Sunday's defeat. Injuries ravaged an already struggling O-line, with several key players missing.
Even then, Mahomes provided his squad a fighting chance, however failed kicks and crucial drops—including on a decisive fourth down play—sealed their downfall.
Spotlight: Is the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the West?
A pair of top contenders from the West Coast divisions are building strong cases for championship contention.
One squad, leading their conference, won the last title played at February's stadium. They are constructed on a stifling defence that tops the NFL in quarterback takedowns and wins through grinding, time-consuming possessions.
The second contender, atop the other conference, demonstrated an explosive offense capable of scoring from any situation. They feature a formidable running attack to pair with an elite aerial game.
A key matchup would be whether the potent offence could handle the relentless pressure of the elite defensive unit—a a must-watch potential showdown.
Talking Point: Travis Kelce Pondering Calling It Quits?
Amid the fallout from the Chiefs' loss, comments from Patrick Mahomes about his star teammate sparked talk about a potential departure.
Hearing Mahomes state, "every season... I try to appreciate because you never know" certainly seemed like he was bracing for the 36-year-old to hang up his cleats.
"The tight end will have the option to do whatever he wants to do after this campaign," he continued. If the season ends early for the Chiefs, the 3x champion winner could decide to walk away.
Preview: Bills vs. Patriots Headlines Week 15
The Bills' quarterback put on a show once more for his team in a wintry victory. Allen passed for three scores and ran for another, accounting for a remarkable percentage of his offense's total scores this season.
He is the first player in NFL history with 3,000 passing yards, twenty TD throws and ten running scores in 3 straight seasons.
Now, he puts the Bills on his back again as they try to catch their division foes, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, they are exactly who they face this coming Sunday.
Key Upcoming Week Matchups:
- Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
- Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Broncos
- Chargers @ Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kick-off runback for a 100-yard score—the biggest play of the year—sparked a second-half onslaught for one team.
- A star wide receiver scored two touchdowns and is still on course for a historic 2,000-yard season.
- A feared defensive end notched his twentieth sack of the campaign, closing in of the single-season record.
- An international kicker played a key role for his squad in a upset win in soggy weather.
- A offense that was shutout one week bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the next.
- A reeling franchise watched its franchise QB come back from injury, only to leave the contest again with a related ailment.
