Each matchup counts from here on in, with some huge conclusions in the fourteenth week that may decide play-off positions come the end of the season.
A 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers dealt a big blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off hopes, whereas the Buffalo Bills quarterback virtually ended Joe Burrow's hopes. At the same time, the Houston Texans defense posed a huge problem and may have finished the Kansas City Chiefs season sooner than ever before in the Patrick Mahomes era.
The Breakdown: Division Deciders Live Up To the Expectations
Three critical division clashes delivered.
Seasoned signal-caller Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, steered his team to a hard-fought close win in Baltimore. He notched his initial running score in almost three years, however it was his long passes to his top receiver that made the difference.
Lamar Jackson seemed off rhythm as his team failed to capitalize on key chances—although they were angry by a late touchdown being nullified. The two franchises will meet once more on the last day of the season.
In another, the oldest rivalry in the league saw a classic encounter. Despite touchdown bombs, an worn-out defensive unit had to stop another fourth-quarter rally from the visiting young QB in the freezing weather.
This outcome handed one side a slender advantage in their division, whereas the losers plummeted from the conference's number one seed all the way to outside the playoff picture.
Analysis: Where Has It Gone Awry for the Chiefs?
Statistical models give the Chiefs only a fifteen percent probability of making the play-offs. Realistically, this could be the first missed post-season for franchise QB Mahomes—and the first for the organization in a ten years.
During his 7 full years as a starter, he has reached 7 conference championship contests and five championship games. That means the team has competed in almost every available game during his time.
Therefore, the causes for the current struggles are apparent and were encapsulated during the recent defeat. Injuries ravaged an already dodgy O-line, with multiple starters out.
Despite that, Mahomes provided his team a fighting chance, however failed field goals and crucial dropped passes—such as on a decisive fourth down play—sealed their downfall.
In Focus: Could the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the West?
A pair of powerhouse contenders from the West Coast divisions are making strong arguments for championship contention.
One squad, leading their conference, won the most recent Super Bowl held at February's venue. They are constructed on a dominant defence that leads the league in quarterback takedowns and wins through grinding, time-consuming possessions.
The second team, atop the NFC, showcased an dynamic offence capable of scoring from anywhere. They boast a two-headed running game to pair with an elite aerial attack.
A key matchup could be if the potent offence could solve the relentless pressure of the top defense—what would be a must-watch potential showdown.
Discussion: Travis Kelce Considering Retirement?
Among the fallout from the Chiefs' loss, comments from Patrick Mahomes about his star tight end fueled speculation about a possible departure.
Listening to him say, "each year... I try to cherish because you never know" definitely seemed like he was bracing for the veteran to hang up his cleats.
"The tight end will have the choice to do whatever he chooses to do following this season," he continued. If the season concludes early for the Chiefs, the three-time Super Bowl winner might choose to walk away.
Preview: Bills vs. New England Highlights the Upcoming Slate
The Bills' quarterback put on a show again for his team in a snowy win. Allen passed for three touchdowns and ran for another, responsible for a remarkable portion of his team's overall touchdowns this year.
Allen is the only quarterback in league history with three thousand pass yards, twenty touchdown passes and ten running scores in three consecutive campaigns.
Now, he puts the Bills on his shoulders once more as they try to catch their AFC East foes, the New England Patriots—and, they are exactly who they play this coming Sunday.
Key Upcoming Week Matchups:
- Bills @ Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
Week 14 Stats, Records & Notes
- A kick-off return for a 100-yard touchdown—the biggest play of the season—kick-started a scoring blitz for one offense.
- A star wide receiver caught 2 touchdowns and is still on course for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
- A feared pass rusher notched his 20th QB sack of the campaign, moving within reach of the all-time record.
- An international placekicker helped his team in a upset victory in soggy weather.
- A offense that was held scoreless one week bounced back with a shutout of its own the next.
- A struggling franchise watched its franchise QB come back from an elbow issue, only to leave the game again with a similar ailment.
