Each game matters down the stretch, with several huge results in the fourteenth week that may decide play-off berths come the end of the year.
A 42-year-old veteran quarterback landed a significant blow to Lamar Jackson's postseason hopes, while Josh Allen virtually finished the Cincinnati Bengals' hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defence posed a massive challenge and may have finished the Kansas City Chiefs season sooner than ever in the Mahomes tenure.
Divisional Analysis: Divisional Showdowns Live Up To the Anticipation
Three massive rivalry games lived up to the hype.
Seasoned quarterback Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, guided his team to a gritty close win in Baltimore. He notched his initial rushing score in almost three years, however it was his long throws to his top receiver that proved to be the difference.
The Ravens' quarterback seemed out of kilter as Baltimore missed crucial opportunities—though they were angry by a late score being chalked off. The two teams are scheduled to face off once more on the final day of the regular season.
Elsewhere, the oldest feud in the league saw a thrilling contest. Despite touchdown bombs, an worn-out defensive unit had to thwart another late-game rally from the visiting young QB in the freezing conditions.
The result handed one team a slender lead in their NFC North, while the defeated team fell from the conference's number one seed all the way to seventh.
Analysis: What Has Gone Wrong for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Statistical models give the Chiefs only a 15% probability of making the play-offs. In all likelihood, this could be the initial missed playoffs for franchise QB Patrick Mahomes—and the first for the franchise in a decade.
In Mahomes' seven full years as a starter, he has advanced to 7 AFC Championship contests and five Super Bowls. That indicates the team has played almost every available game throughout his time.
Therefore, the reasons for this year's failure are evident and were highlighted during the recent defeat. Injuries decimated an already questionable offensive line, with several key players missing.
Even then, Mahomes gave his team a chance, but failed field goals and critical drops—including on a key fourth-down attempt—sealed their downfall.
In Focus: Is the Super Bowl Be Destined for the West?
Two top teams from the West Coast divisions are making compelling arguments for Super Bowl favorites.
One squad, atop their the AFC, won the most recent title held at February's venue. They are constructed on a dominant defence that tops the league in quarterback takedowns and wins through methodical, long possessions.
The other team, leading the NFC, showcased an dynamic offense capable of scoring from any situation. They boast a formidable ground game to pair with an exceptional aerial attack.
A key matchup would be if the potent offence can solve the relentless pressure of the top defensive unit—a a fascinating potential showdown.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Considering Retirement?
Amid the fallout from the Kansas City's defeat, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his star tight end sparked rumors about a possible retirement.
Listening to Mahomes say, "each year... I try to appreciate since you never know" definitely sounded like the QB was preparing for the 36-year-old to call it a day.
"The tight end will have the choice to do what he chooses to do after this campaign," Mahomes added. If the year ends prematurely for the team, the 3x champion winner might choose to retire.
Looking Ahead: Buffalo vs. New England Highlights the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen put on a show again for his team in a wintry win. He passed for 3 scores and ran for one more, responsible for a remarkable portion of his team's total scores this year.
Allen is the only player in league annals with three thousand passing yards, twenty touchdown throws and 10 rushing scores in three consecutive seasons.
Now, he puts the Bills on his back once more as they aim to catch their division rivals, the New England Patriots—and, they are exactly who they play this coming Sunday.
Major Upcoming Week Games:
- Buffalo Bills @ Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kick-off runback for a 100-yard score—the longest play of the year—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one offense.
- A star receiver scored two scores and is still tracking for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
- A feared pass rusher recorded his twentieth QB sack of the season, closing in of the single-season record.
- An overseas placekicker helped his squad in a upset win in rainy weather.
- A offense that was held scoreless one game bounced back with a shutout of its own the following week.
- A reeling franchise watched its franchise QB come back from injury, only to exit the game again with a similar injury.
