Each game counts down the stretch, with a number of enormous conclusions in the fourteenth week that may settle postseason spots come the end of the campaign.
A 42-year Aaron Rodgers landed a major blow to the Baltimore Ravens' postseason hopes, whereas the Buffalo Bills quarterback virtually finished the Cincinnati Bengals' chances. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defense presented a significant problem and may have finished the Kansas City Chiefs season earlier than ever in the Patrick Mahomes era.
Divisional Analysis: Division Deciders Exceed the Expectations
A trio of critical rivalry games delivered.
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, competing with a injured wrist, steered his team to a hard-fought 27-22 victory in Baltimore. The future Hall of Famer scored his initial rushing score in almost three years, but it was his deep throws to his star receiver that made the deciding factor.
The Ravens' quarterback seemed off rhythm as his team missed key chances—although they were left fuming by a fourth-quarter touchdown being chalked off. These teams will meet once more on the final day of the regular season.
In another, the longest-running rivalry in the league saw a thrilling contest. Despite touchdown deep passes, an exhausted defense had to thwart another fourth-quarter rally from the opposing young QB in the freezing weather.
This outcome gave one team a slender advantage in their division, while the losers plummeted from the NFC's top spot all the way to seventh.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Awry for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Statistical models assign the Chiefs only a 15% chance of making the play-offs. In all likelihood, this could be the first missed post-season for franchise QB Patrick Mahomes—and the first for the franchise in a decade.
During his 7 complete years as a starter, he has advanced to 7 conference championship games and 5 Super Bowls. That means the team has played nearly every possible game during his tenure.
So, the reasons for this year's struggles are evident and were summed up during the recent defeat. Absences ravaged an already struggling O-line, with multiple starters out.
Even then, the quarterback provided his squad a chance, but missed kicks and critical dropped passes—such as on a pivotal fourth-down play—sealed their fate.
In Focus: Could the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the Western US?
A pair of top contenders from the western conferences are building compelling arguments for championship favorites.
One team, leading their the AFC, claimed the most recent title held at February's venue. They are built on a stifling defense that tops the league in quarterback takedowns and wins through grinding, time-consuming possessions.
The second contender, leading the NFC, showcased an explosive offense capable of putting points on the board from any situation. They feature a two-headed running attack to complement an exceptional aerial attack.
A key matchup could be if the potent offence can handle the smothering pass rush of the top defensive unit—what would be a fascinating potential matchup.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Pondering Calling It Quits?
Among the aftermath from the Kansas City's loss, comments from the quarterback about his longtime tight end fueled talk about a possible retirement.
Hearing Mahomes say, "every year... I try to appreciate since you never know" certainly sounded like the QB was bracing for the 36-year-old to hang up his cleats.
"He will have the choice to do whatever he wants to do following this season," he continued. Should the year concludes prematurely for the team, the 3x champion veteran could decide to retire.
Looking Ahead: Buffalo vs. New England Highlights the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen put on a show once more for his team in a wintry win. He threw 3 touchdowns and ran for one more, accounting for a remarkable percentage of his offense's total touchdowns this season.
Allen is the first quarterback in league history with 3,000 pass yards, twenty touchdown throws and 10 running scores in 3 consecutive campaigns.
Now, he tries to carry the team on his back once more as they aim to catch their AFC East foes, the New England Patriots—and, they are exactly who they play next.
Major Upcoming Week Games:
- Buffalo Bills @ Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Chiefs
Week 14 Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff runback for a 100-yard touchdown—the longest scoring play of the year—kick-started a scoring blitz for one offense.
- A star receiver caught 2 scores and remains tracking for a record-breaking 2,000-yard receiving.
- A dominant defensive end notched his twentieth QB sack of the campaign, moving within reach of the single-season mark.
- An international kicker helped his team in a upset victory in soggy conditions.
- A offense that was held scoreless one game bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the following week.
- A reeling team saw its star quarterback return from an elbow issue, only to leave the game once more with a similar injury.
