Every game is crucial from here on in, with a number of huge outcomes in the fourteenth week that may settle play-off berths by the end of the campaign.
A 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers dealt a big setback to Lamar Jackson's postseason aspirations, whereas Josh Allen virtually ended Joe Burrow's hopes. At the same time, the Houston Texans defence presented a significant challenge and could have ended the Chiefs' season sooner than ever in the Mahomes era.
Divisional Analysis: Division Deciders Exceed the Expectations
Three massive divisional battles delivered.
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, led his squad to a tough 27-22 victory in on the road. He scored his initial running touchdown in nearly three years, but it was his deep passes to his top receiver that proved to be the deciding factor.
Lamar Jackson was out of kilter as his team failed to capitalize on crucial chances—though they were left fuming by a fourth-quarter touchdown being overturned. These franchises will meet once more on the final day of the regular season.
Elsewhere, the oldest feud in the league saw a classic contest. Even with touchdown bombs, an exhausted defense had to stop another late-game rally from the opposing rookie quarterback in the freezing weather.
The result gave one team a slender lead in their NFC North, while the defeated team plummeted from the conference's number one seed all the way to seventh.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Wrong for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Projections assign the Chiefs only a fifteen percent chance of reaching the postseason. In all likelihood, this will be the initial missed post-season for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the franchise in a decade.
In his seven full years as a starter, he has advanced to 7 AFC Championship contests and 5 championship games. That means the club has played almost every available game during his time.
So, the reasons for this year's struggles are clear and were summed up during the recent loss. Injuries decimated an already struggling offensive line, with several key players missing.
Despite that, the quarterback provided his team a chance, but failed field goals and costly drops—such as on a pivotal fourth-down attempt—confirmed their fate.
In Focus: Could the Super Bowl Be Heading for the Western US?
Two top teams from the western divisions are building strong cases for championship favorites.
One team, atop their conference, won the last title played at this year's venue. They are built on a dominant defence that tops the NFL in sacks and victories through grinding, long drives.
The second team, atop the NFC, demonstrated an dynamic offence capable of putting points on the board from any situation. They feature a two-headed ground attack to complement an elite aerial attack.
The question could be whether the high-flying offense can solve the relentless pass rush of the elite defensive unit—what would be a fascinating playoff matchup.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Pondering Calling It Quits?
Among the aftermath from the Kansas City's defeat, remarks from the quarterback about his longtime tight end sparked talk about a possible departure.
Listening to him state, "each season... I try to cherish because you never know" definitely sounded like the QB was preparing for the veteran to hang up his cleats.
"The tight end will have the choice to do whatever he chooses to do after this season," Mahomes continued. If the year ends early for the team, the three-time champion veteran could decide to walk away.
Preview: Bills vs. Patriots Headlines the Upcoming Slate
The Bills' quarterback did it all again for Buffalo in a snowy win. He passed for three scores and rushed for one more, responsible for a staggering percentage of his team's overall scores this season.
He is the first player in league history with 3,000 pass yards, 20 TD passes and ten running scores in 3 straight campaigns.
Next, he puts the team on his shoulders once more as they aim to catch their division foes, the Patriots—and, they are exactly who they play this coming Sunday.
Major Upcoming Week Matchups:
- Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
- Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Broncos
- Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
This Week's Statistical Highlights
- A kickoff runback for a 100-yard score—the longest play of the season—kick-started a scoring blitz for one team.
- A prolific receiver caught two touchdowns and is still tracking for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
- A dominant pass rusher recorded his 20th QB sack of the campaign, moving within reach of the all-time mark.
- An international placekicker helped his team in a surprise victory in soggy weather.
- A offense that was shutout one week responded with a shutout of its own the following week.
- A reeling franchise saw its star QB come back from injury, only to exit the game once more with a similar ailment.
