Each contest is crucial from here on in, with some enormous outcomes in week 14 that may settle postseason spots come the conclusion of the campaign.
A 42-year veteran quarterback dealt a major setback to the Baltimore Ravens' postseason aspirations, while Josh Allen all-but terminated Joe Burrow's hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defense posed a huge challenge and could have concluded the Chiefs' campaign sooner than ever in the Mahomes era.
The Breakdown: Division Deciders Exceed the Hype
A trio of huge division clashes lived up to the hype.
Seasoned quarterback Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, led his squad to a hard-fought close win in on the road. The future Hall of Famer scored his first rushing score in almost three seasons, but it was his long throws to his star wideout that proved to be the difference.
The Ravens' quarterback seemed out of kilter as his team missed crucial chances—though they were frustrated by a late touchdown being nullified. These teams will meet again on the last day of the regular season.
In another, the oldest feud in the league saw a classic contest. Even with touchdown deep passes, an worn-out defensive unit had to thwart another fourth-quarter comeback from the visiting rookie quarterback in the frigid conditions.
This outcome gave one side a slender advantage in their division, whereas the losers fell from the conference's top spot down to outside the playoff picture.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Wrong for the Chiefs?
Projections assign the Chiefs only a 15% probability of reaching the postseason. Realistically, this could be the initial missed playoffs for franchise QB Patrick Mahomes—and the first for the organization in a decade.
During his seven full seasons as a starter, he has reached 7 AFC Championship contests and 5 Super Bowls. This means the club has competed in nearly every available contest throughout his tenure.
So, the causes for this year's struggles are evident and were encapsulated during Sunday's loss. Absences ravaged an already struggling offensive line, with multiple key players out.
Even then, Mahomes gave his team a fighting chance, however failed kicks and critical dropped passes—including on a key fourth down play—sealed their fate.
In Focus: Could the Lombardi Trophy Be Destined for the Western US?
A pair of powerhouse teams from the West Coast conferences are making strong arguments for championship favorites.
One team, atop their the AFC, won the most recent Super Bowl held at February's stadium. They are built on a stifling defence that tops the league in sacks and wins through methodical, time-consuming drives.
The second contender, leading the other conference, demonstrated an dynamic offence capable of scoring from any situation. They feature a two-headed running game to pair with an exceptional aerial attack.
A key matchup would be whether the high-flying offense could withstand the relentless pressure of the elite defensive unit—what would be a must-watch playoff showdown.
Discussion: Travis Kelce Pondering Retirement?
Among the fallout from the Chiefs' loss, remarks from the quarterback about his longtime tight end sparked speculation about a potential retirement.
Hearing Mahomes say, "each year... I try to cherish since you never know" definitely sounded like the QB was bracing for the veteran to call it a day.
"The tight end will have the option to do whatever he chooses to do after this campaign," he continued. If the season ends prematurely for the Chiefs, the 3x champion veteran could decide to walk away.
Preview: Bills vs. New England Headlines the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen did it all once more for Buffalo in a wintry victory. He threw three scores and ran for one more, accounting for a staggering percentage of his offense's total scores this year.
Allen is the only quarterback in league annals with three thousand passing yards, twenty touchdown passes and ten rushing touchdowns in three straight seasons.
Now, he tries to carry the team on his shoulders again as they aim to chase down their division foes, the Patriots—coincidentally, that's exactly who they play this coming Sunday.
Major Upcoming Week Matchups:
- Bills @ Patriots
- Lions @ Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Chargers @ Chiefs
This Week's Statistical Highlights
- A kick-off return for a 100-yard touchdown—the longest scoring play of the year—kick-started a scoring blitz for one offense.
- A star receiver caught two touchdowns and is still on course for a historic 2,000-yard season.
- A feared defensive end recorded his twentieth sack of the season, closing in of the single-season mark.
- An international kicker helped his squad in a surprise win in soggy conditions.
- A offense that was held scoreless one week responded with a clean sheet of its own the next.
- A struggling franchise saw its star quarterback return from an elbow issue, only to exit the contest again with a similar injury.
