Every matchup matters from here on in, with several huge results in week 14 that could decide play-off spots come the end of the campaign.
A 42-year veteran quarterback landed a major blow to the Baltimore Ravens' play-off hopes, whereas the Buffalo Bills quarterback virtually terminated the Cincinnati Bengals' hopes. At the same time, the Houston Texans defense presented a significant problem and may have ended the Chiefs' season earlier than ever in the Mahomes tenure.
Divisional Analysis: Division Showdowns Exceed the Hype
A trio of massive rivalry games delivered.
Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, led his squad to a gritty close success in Baltimore. He recorded his first running score in almost three years, but it was his long throws to his star receiver that made the deciding factor.
The Ravens' quarterback was out of sync as Baltimore missed crucial opportunities—although they were angry by a fourth-quarter touchdown being chalked off. These franchises will meet again on the final day of the regular season.
In another, the oldest rivalry in the league saw a classic contest. Despite touchdown bombs, an exhausted defense had to halt another late-game comeback from the visiting rookie QB in the freezing weather.
This outcome handed one team a slender lead in their NFC North, while the losers dropped from the NFC's number one seed down to seventh.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Wrong for the Chiefs?
Projections assign the Kansas City only a 15% probability of reaching the play-offs. In all likelihood, this will be the initial missed post-season for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first for the franchise in a ten years.
During his 7 full seasons as a starting quarterback, he has reached 7 conference championship contests and 5 championship games. That indicates the club has competed in nearly each possible contest during his tenure.
Therefore, the reasons for the current struggles are apparent and were summed up during Sunday's defeat. Absences ravaged an already struggling offensive line, with several key players missing.
Even then, the quarterback provided his squad a fighting chance, however failed field goals and costly drops—such as on a decisive fourth-down attempt—confirmed their fate.
In Focus: Is the Lombardi Trophy Be Destined for the West?
Two powerhouse teams from the West Coast conferences are making compelling cases for Super Bowl favorites.
One team, leading their the AFC, won the last Super Bowl played at February's venue. They are constructed on a stifling defence that leads the league in quarterback takedowns and wins through grinding, time-consuming possessions.
The other contender, atop the other conference, showcased an explosive offense capable of scoring from any situation. They feature a two-headed running game to complement an elite aerial attack.
The question could be if the potent offence can handle the relentless pass rush of the elite defensive unit—what would be a must-watch potential showdown.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Considering Retirement?
Among the aftermath from the Kansas City's loss, remarks from the quarterback about his longtime teammate sparked speculation about a potential retirement.
Hearing him say, "each season... I try to appreciate since you never know" definitely sounded like he was bracing for the veteran to hang up his cleats.
"The tight end will have the choice to do whatever he wants to do following this season," he added. Should the season ends prematurely for the Chiefs, the three-time champion veteran might decide to walk away.
Preview: Buffalo vs. Patriots Highlights the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen put on a show once more for Buffalo in a wintry win. He threw three touchdowns and rushed for one more, responsible for a staggering percentage of his offense's overall scores this season.
Allen is the first player in league history with 3,000 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 try to catch their AFC East rivals, the Patriots—and, they are exactly who they play next.
Key Week 15 Matchups:
- Bills @ New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Green Bay Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
Week 14 Stats, Records & Notes
- A kick-off runback for a 100-yard score—the longest play of the season—kick-started a scoring blitz for one offense.
- A star receiver caught 2 scores and is still tracking for a record-breaking 2,000-yard receiving.
- A dominant defensive end notched his twentieth sack of the campaign, closing in of the all-time record.
- An international kicker played a key role for his team in a surprise victory in soggy weather.
- A offense that was held scoreless one game responded with a clean sheet of its own the following week.
- A reeling team saw its star QB come back from injury, only to exit the game again with a similar ailment.
