Every contest matters down the stretch, with a number of enormous results in week 14 that may settle postseason berths come the conclusion of the season.
A 42-year Aaron Rodgers struck a big blow to Lamar Jackson's postseason hopes, whereas the Buffalo Bills quarterback all-but ended Joe Burrow's hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston defense presented a huge challenge and could have concluded the Chiefs' season sooner than ever in the Patrick Mahomes tenure.
Divisional Analysis: Divisional Showdowns Live Up To the Hype
A trio of huge division clashes delivered.
Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, playing with a fractured wrist, led his team to a tough 27-22 win in Baltimore. He recorded his initial running score in almost three seasons, but it was his long passes to his top wideout that proved to be the difference.
Lamar Jackson seemed out of sync as his team failed to capitalize on key chances—although they were frustrated by a late score being chalked off. The two teams will meet again on the last day of the regular season.
In another, the oldest rivalry in the NFL saw a classic encounter. Despite touchdown deep passes, an worn-out defense had to thwart another late-game comeback from the visiting young QB in the frigid weather.
The result handed one side a narrow lead in their division, while the defeated team plummeted from the NFC's top spot all the way to seventh.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Wrong for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Statistical models give the Chiefs only a 15% chance of making the play-offs. Realistically, this will be the initial missed post-season for franchise QB Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a ten years.
During Mahomes' seven full seasons as a starter, he has reached seven AFC Championship contests and five Super Bowls. This means the team has played nearly each available contest throughout his time.
Therefore, the reasons for this year's struggles are clear and were summed up during Sunday's loss. Injuries ravaged an already questionable O-line, with several key players out.
Even then, the quarterback provided his squad a chance, but failed field goals and costly drops—including on a decisive fourth down attempt—confirmed their downfall.
Spotlight: Could the Super Bowl Be Heading for the West?
Two powerhouse teams from the West Coast conferences are making strong arguments for Super Bowl contention.
One squad, atop their the AFC, won the most recent title held at February's venue. They are built on a dominant defence that tops the NFL in sacks and victories through methodical, long drives.
The second contender, leading the NFC, demonstrated an dynamic offense capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They feature a formidable ground attack to pair with an exceptional passing game.
A key matchup could be if the potent offence could withstand the relentless pass rush of the elite defensive unit—what would be a must-watch potential showdown.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Pondering Calling It Quits?
Amid the fallout from the Kansas City's loss, comments from Patrick Mahomes about his star tight end fueled speculation about a potential departure.
Hearing Mahomes say, "each year... I try to appreciate because you never know" certainly seemed like he was preparing for the 36-year-old to call it a day.
"The tight end will have the option to do what he chooses to do following this season," Mahomes continued. If the year ends prematurely for the team, the 3x champion winner might decide to retire.
Preview: Buffalo vs. Patriots Headlines the Upcoming Slate
The Bills' quarterback did it all once more for his team in a snowy victory. He passed for 3 scores and ran for one more, accounting for a staggering portion of his team's total touchdowns this season.
He is the first quarterback in league history with 3,000 pass yards, 20 TD passes and 10 running touchdowns in three consecutive campaigns.
Next, he tries to carry the team on his shoulders again as they try to chase down their division foes, the Patriots—coincidentally, that's precisely who they play next.
Key Week 15 Games:
- Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
- Lions @ Rams
- Packers @ Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
Week 14 Statistical Highlights
- A kickoff runback for a 100-yard touchdown—the longest play of the year—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one team.
- A prolific wide receiver scored two scores and is still on course for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
- A feared defensive end notched his twentieth QB sack of the season, closing in of the all-time record.
- An overseas placekicker helped his team in a upset victory in soggy conditions.
- A team that was shutout one week bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the next.
- A struggling team watched its franchise QB come back from an elbow issue, only to leave the contest again with a related injury.
