Every game matters from here on in, with some huge results in the fourteenth week that might settle play-off berths by the end of the season.
A 42-year veteran quarterback struck a big setback to the Baltimore Ravens' postseason aspirations, whereas Josh Allen all-but ended the Cincinnati Bengals' hopes. At the same time, the Houston defense presented a huge problem and could have concluded the Kansas City Chiefs campaign sooner than ever before in the Patrick Mahomes era.
The Breakdown: Divisional Deciders Exceed the Hype
Three critical division clashes lived up to the hype.
Veteran signal-caller Aaron Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, steered his squad to a hard-fought 27-22 success in on the road. He recorded his initial rushing touchdown in nearly three seasons, but it was his long throws to his top wideout that proved to be the deciding factor.
The Ravens' quarterback was out of sync as his team failed to capitalize on crucial chances—although they were angry by a fourth-quarter touchdown being nullified. The two teams are scheduled to face off again on the last day of the regular season.
In another, the longest-running feud in the league witnessed a epic contest. Even with touchdown deep passes, an exhausted defense had to stop another late-game comeback from the visiting rookie QB in the frigid weather.
The outcome handed one side a slender lead in their division, while the losers fell from the NFC's number one seed all the way to outside the playoff picture.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Awry for the Chiefs?
Statistical models give the Chiefs only a 15% chance of making the play-offs. Realistically, this will be the first missed post-season for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a ten years.
In Mahomes' seven full years as a starter, he has reached seven conference championship contests and five Super Bowls. This indicates the team has competed in nearly every available game during his time.
Therefore, the causes for the current struggles are clear and were highlighted during the recent loss. Absences decimated an already struggling offensive line, with multiple starters missing.
Despite that, the quarterback provided his squad a chance, however missed field goals and critical dropped passes—such as on a pivotal fourth-down play—sealed their fate.
In Focus: Is the Super Bowl Be Destined for the Western US?
A pair of top teams from the West Coast divisions are making compelling arguments for championship contention.
One team, atop their the AFC, won the most recent Super Bowl held at February's venue. They are constructed on a dominant defence that tops the NFL in sacks and victories through grinding, long possessions.
The second team, leading the NFC, demonstrated an high-powered offense capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They feature a formidable running game to complement an exceptional aerial game.
The question would be whether the high-flying offense could solve the relentless pressure of the top defensive unit—a a fascinating potential showdown.
Talking Point: Travis Kelce Considering Retirement?
Amid the aftermath from the Kansas City's defeat, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his longtime tight end fueled talk about a potential retirement.
Hearing Mahomes state, "each season... I try to cherish because you never know" certainly seemed like he was bracing for the 36-year-old to call it a day.
"The tight end will have the choice to do whatever he wants to do after this campaign," he continued. Should the year concludes prematurely for the team, the 3x champion veteran could decide to retire.
Preview: Buffalo vs. New England Highlights the Upcoming Slate
The Bills' quarterback did it all again for his team in a wintry win. He threw three scores and ran for another, responsible for a staggering portion of his offense's total scores this season.
Allen is the first quarterback in league annals with three thousand passing yards, twenty touchdown passes and ten rushing touchdowns in three straight campaigns.
Now, he puts the team on his back once more as they try to catch their division rivals, the Patriots—coincidentally, they are exactly who they face next.
Key Upcoming Week Games:
- Bills @ New England Patriots
- Lions @ Rams
- Packers @ Broncos
- Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
Week 14 Stats, Records & Notes
- A kick-off return for a 100-yard score—the biggest play of the year—kick-started a scoring blitz for one team.
- A star wide receiver caught two scores and is still on course for a record-breaking 2,000-yard receiving.
- A feared pass rusher notched his twentieth QB sack of the season, moving within reach of the single-season mark.
- An overseas placekicker played a key role for his squad in a surprise win in rainy weather.
- A team that was held scoreless one week responded with a clean sheet of its own the following week.
- A struggling franchise saw its star quarterback return from injury, only to exit the game once more with a related injury.
