Each matchup matters down the stretch, with several massive conclusions in the fourteenth week that may decide postseason spots come the conclusion of the year.
A 42-year veteran quarterback dealt a major blow to the Baltimore Ravens' postseason hopes, whereas the Buffalo Bills quarterback all-but ended the Cincinnati Bengals' chances. At the same time, the Houston Texans defense presented a massive challenge and may have finished the Kansas City Chiefs campaign earlier than ever in the Patrick Mahomes era.
Divisional Analysis: Division Deciders Live Up To the Anticipation
Three massive rivalry games lived up to the hype.
Seasoned signal-caller Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, guided his team to a gritty close win in on the road. The future Hall of Famer scored his first rushing score in nearly three years, however it was his long passes to his star receiver that made the deciding factor.
The Ravens' quarterback was off rhythm as Baltimore missed key opportunities—although they were frustrated by a late touchdown being chalked off. These teams are scheduled to face off once more on the final weekend of the regular season.
Elsewhere, the longest-running rivalry in the NFL witnessed a classic encounter. Despite scoring deep passes, an exhausted defense had to halt another fourth-quarter rally from the visiting rookie QB in the frigid weather.
The result handed one side a narrow lead in their NFC North, whereas the losers fell from the NFC's top spot all the way to outside the playoff picture.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Awry for the Chiefs?
Statistical models give the Kansas City only a fifteen percent chance of reaching the play-offs. Realistically, this will be the first missed playoffs for franchise QB Patrick Mahomes—and the first for the organization in a decade.
During his seven full seasons as a starting quarterback, he has reached 7 AFC Championship games and 5 Super Bowls. This indicates the team has competed in almost every possible game during his time.
Therefore, the reasons for this year's struggles are clear and were summed up during Sunday's defeat. Absences decimated an already struggling O-line, with several key players missing.
Even then, the quarterback gave his team a fighting chance, however missed field goals and costly drops—including on a decisive fourth down play—confirmed their fate.
Spotlight: Could the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the Western US?
Two powerhouse teams from the West Coast divisions are making strong cases for Super Bowl favorites.
One squad, atop their the AFC, won the most recent Super Bowl played at February's stadium. They are constructed on a stifling defence that tops the league in sacks and victories through methodical, time-consuming possessions.
The second team, atop the NFC, demonstrated an high-powered offense capable of scoring from anywhere. They feature a two-headed ground game to pair with an exceptional aerial attack.
A key matchup would be if the potent offence could withstand the smothering pass rush of the top defense—what would be a fascinating playoff showdown.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Pondering Calling It Quits?
Among the fallout from the Chiefs' defeat, comments from the quarterback about his star tight end sparked rumors about a possible departure.
Listening to Mahomes say, "every year... I try to appreciate because you never know" definitely seemed like he was bracing for the 36-year-old to call it a day.
"He will have the option to do whatever he wants to do after this campaign," he added. Should the year concludes early for the Chiefs, the three-time Super Bowl veteran might choose to walk away.
Looking Ahead: Buffalo vs. New England Headlines the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen put on a show again for his team in a wintry victory. He passed for three scores and rushed for one more, accounting for a remarkable portion of his team's total scores this year.
Allen is the only quarterback in league annals with three thousand pass yards, twenty TD throws and ten running scores in three consecutive campaigns.
Now, he tries to carry the Bills on his shoulders again as they aim to chase down their AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, that's precisely who they face this coming Sunday.
Major Upcoming Week Games:
- Bills @ New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Rams
- Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff runback for a 100-yard score—the biggest scoring play of the year—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one offense.
- A prolific wide receiver caught two scores and is still tracking for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
- A feared pass rusher recorded his twentieth QB sack of the campaign, closing in of the all-time record.
- An international kicker helped his team in a upset win in soggy weather.
- A offense that was held scoreless one week responded with a clean sheet of its own the next.
- A reeling franchise saw its franchise quarterback come back from injury, only to leave the game again with a related ailment.
