🔗 Share this article

Each game counts down the stretch, with some massive outcomes in week 14 that may settle play-off positions come the end of the campaign.

A 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers landed a big blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off hopes, while Josh Allen all-but finished the Cincinnati Bengals' chances. At the same time, the Houston Texans defense posed a significant problem and may have finished the Kansas City Chiefs season sooner than ever in the Patrick Mahomes tenure.

The Breakdown: Divisional Deciders Live Up To the Hype

Three critical rivalry games lived up to the hype.

Veteran quarterback Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, guided his team to a hard-fought 27-22 win in on the road. The future Hall of Famer scored his initial running touchdown in almost three years, but it was his long throws to his top receiver that proved to be the difference.

The Ravens' quarterback seemed off rhythm as Baltimore missed crucial opportunities—although they were angry by a fourth-quarter score being chalked off. The two franchises are scheduled to face off once more on the last day of the season.

In another, the oldest rivalry in the NFL saw a epic contest. Despite touchdown deep passes, an worn-out defense had to stop another late-game rally from the visiting young QB in the freezing weather.

This result handed one side a narrow lead in their NFC North, whereas the losers dropped from the NFC's top spot all the way to seventh.

In-Depth Look: Where Has It Gone Wrong for the Chiefs?

Statistical models assign the Kansas City only a 15% chance of making the play-offs. In all likelihood, this could be the first missed playoffs for franchise QB Mahomes—and the first such for the franchise in a decade.

During his 7 complete years as a starting quarterback, he has reached 7 AFC Championship contests and five Super Bowls. That indicates the club has competed in nearly every possible contest throughout his tenure.

So, the reasons for this year's struggles are clear and were summed up during Sunday's loss. Absences decimated an already struggling O-line, with several key players missing.

Despite that, Mahomes provided his squad a fighting chance, but missed field goals and costly drops—including on a decisive fourth down attempt—confirmed their fate.

Spotlight: Is the Lombardi Trophy Be Destined for the Western US?

A pair of powerhouse contenders from the West Coast conferences are making strong arguments for Super Bowl favorites.

One squad, atop their conference, won the most recent title held at February's stadium. They are constructed on a stifling defence that leads the NFL in quarterback takedowns and wins through methodical, long drives.

The second contender, atop the other conference, demonstrated an high-powered offence capable of scoring from any situation. They boast a two-headed running game to pair with an elite passing game.

The question would be whether the high-flying offense can withstand the smothering pressure of the top defense—what would be a fascinating potential showdown.

Talking Point: A Star Tight End Pondering Calling It Quits?

Amid the fallout from the Kansas City's loss, comments from the quarterback about his star tight end fueled rumors about a potential retirement.

Listening to Mahomes state, "each season... I try to appreciate since you never know" definitely seemed like the QB was bracing for the veteran to call it a day.

"He will have the option to do whatever he chooses to do after this season," he added. Should the season concludes early for the team, the three-time champion veteran could decide to walk away.

Preview: Bills vs. New England Highlights the Upcoming Slate

Josh Allen put on a show again for his team in a wintry victory. He passed for three scores and ran for another, accounting for a staggering portion of his offense's overall touchdowns this season.

Allen is the first player in league history with 3,000 pass yards, 20 TD passes and ten running touchdowns in 3 consecutive seasons.

Now, he tries to carry the Bills on his back again as they aim to chase down their AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots—and, they are exactly who they face this coming Sunday.

Key Week 15 Games:

• Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
• Detroit Lions @ Rams
• Green Bay Packers @ Denver Broncos
• Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs

Week 14 Stats, Records & Notes

• A kickoff return for a 100-yard score—the biggest scoring play of the season—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one team.
• A star receiver caught 2 scores and is still on course for a record-breaking 2,000-yard season.
• A dominant defensive end notched his twentieth QB sack of the season, moving within reach of the single-season record.
• An overseas kicker played a key role for his squad in a upset victory in soggy conditions.
• A team that was held scoreless one game responded with a clean sheet of its own the next.
• A reeling team saw its star quarterback come back from injury, only to leave the contest once more with a related ailment.