Each game is crucial down the stretch, with some huge outcomes in week 14 that might determine play-off spots by the conclusion of the season.
A 42-year-old veteran quarterback struck a significant setback to the Baltimore Ravens' postseason hopes, whereas the Buffalo Bills quarterback all-but ended the Cincinnati Bengals' hopes. At the same time, the Houston Texans defense posed a huge problem and could have finished the Chiefs' season earlier than ever before in the Mahomes era.
The Breakdown: Division Showdowns Live Up To the Hype
Three critical divisional battles delivered.
Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, competing with a injured wrist, steered his squad to a gritty close victory in Baltimore. He notched his initial rushing touchdown in nearly three years, however it was his long passes to his star receiver that proved to be the difference.
Lamar Jackson seemed out of sync as Baltimore failed to capitalize on key opportunities—although they were angry by a late score being chalked off. The two teams will meet once more on the final weekend of the regular season.
Elsewhere, the oldest feud in the league witnessed a thrilling encounter. Despite touchdown deep passes, an worn-out defense had to thwart another fourth-quarter rally from the visiting young quarterback in the frigid conditions.
This outcome handed one side a slender advantage in their NFC North, while the defeated team plummeted from the conference's number one seed all the way to seventh.
In-Depth Look: Where Has It Gone Wrong for the Chiefs?
Projections assign the Kansas City only a 15% probability of making the postseason. In all likelihood, this could be the first missed post-season for franchise QB Mahomes—and the first for the organization in a ten years.
In his seven full years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to 7 AFC Championship contests and five Super Bowls. This means the team has played almost each available game during his time.
So, the reasons for this year's struggles are apparent and were encapsulated during Sunday's loss. Injuries decimated an already dodgy O-line, with multiple key players out.
Even then, Mahomes provided his squad a chance, however failed field goals and costly dropped passes—including on a decisive fourth down attempt—sealed their fate.
Spotlight: Could the Super Bowl Be Destined for the West?
A pair of top teams from the western conferences are making strong cases for Super Bowl favorites.
One squad, leading their the AFC, claimed the last Super Bowl held at this year's stadium. They are constructed on a dominant defense that tops the league in quarterback takedowns and wins through methodical, long possessions.
The other team, leading the other conference, demonstrated an high-powered offence capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They boast a two-headed running attack to pair with an exceptional passing game.
The question would be whether the potent offense can handle the relentless pass rush of the elite defense—what would be a must-watch playoff showdown.
Discussion: Travis Kelce Considering Calling It Quits?
Amid the aftermath from the Chiefs' defeat, remarks from the quarterback about his star teammate sparked talk about a possible retirement.
Listening to Mahomes say, "every year... I try to cherish because you never know" definitely sounded like the QB was bracing for the 36-year-old to hang up his cleats.
"The tight end will have the option to do what he chooses to do following this campaign," Mahomes continued. Should the season concludes early for the team, the three-time Super Bowl veteran could decide to walk away.
Preview: Bills vs. Patriots Highlights Week 15
Josh Allen put on a show again for Buffalo in a wintry victory. Allen threw three scores and ran for one more, responsible for a staggering portion of his team's total scores this season.
Allen is the first quarterback in league annals with 3,000 passing yards, 20 touchdown throws and ten rushing scores in 3 straight seasons.
Next, he puts the Bills on his back once more as they try to catch their AFC East rivals, the Patriots—coincidentally, they are exactly who they face this coming Sunday.
Major Upcoming Week Games:
- Buffalo Bills @ Patriots
- Lions @ Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Broncos
- Chargers @ Chiefs
This Week's Statistical Highlights
- A kickoff runback for a 100-yard score—the biggest scoring play of the season—sparked a second-half onslaught for one team.
- A star receiver scored 2 scores and is still tracking for a historic 2,000-yard season.
- A dominant defensive end recorded his twentieth sack of the season, closing in of the all-time record.
- An international placekicker helped his team in a surprise win in rainy weather.
- A offense that was held scoreless one week responded with a clean sheet of its own the next.
- A struggling team saw its star QB come back from an elbow issue, only to exit the game again with a related ailment.
