Each contest counts at this stage, with several huge results in week 14 that might determine postseason berths come the conclusion of the year.
A 42-year-old veteran quarterback landed a significant blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off hopes, whereas the Buffalo Bills quarterback all-but finished Joe Burrow's hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defense posed a massive problem and could have concluded the Chiefs' campaign earlier than ever before in the Patrick Mahomes era.
Divisional Analysis: Division Showdowns Live Up To the Anticipation
A trio of huge division clashes lived up to the hype.
Veteran signal-caller Aaron Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, guided his team to a tough 27-22 win in Baltimore. He scored his first running score in nearly three years, but it was his deep passes to his top wideout that proved to be the difference.
The Ravens' quarterback seemed out of sync as Baltimore failed to capitalize on key chances—although they were angry by a late touchdown being overturned. These teams are scheduled to face off again on the last weekend of the regular season.
Elsewhere, the oldest feud in the league witnessed a classic encounter. Despite touchdown deep passes, an exhausted defense had to stop another late-game rally from the opposing young QB in the frigid conditions.
The outcome gave one team a narrow lead in their division, while the defeated team dropped from the NFC's top spot down to outside the playoff picture.
Analysis: Where Has It Gone Awry for the Chiefs?
Statistical models assign the Chiefs only a fifteen percent chance of reaching the postseason. Realistically, this will be the first missed post-season for franchise QB Patrick Mahomes—and the first for the franchise in a decade.
During Mahomes' 7 complete years as a starter, he has reached 7 conference championship contests and five Super Bowls. This means the club has played nearly every possible game during his time.
So, the causes for the current struggles are clear and were encapsulated during Sunday's defeat. Injuries decimated an already struggling O-line, with multiple starters out.
Despite that, the quarterback gave his squad a fighting chance, however failed field goals and crucial dropped passes—such as on a decisive fourth down attempt—confirmed their downfall.
In Focus: Is the Super Bowl Be Heading for the Western US?
A pair of top teams from the West Coast conferences are building strong cases for championship contention.
One squad, leading their conference, won the last title held at this year's venue. They are built on a dominant defence that tops the NFL in sacks and victories through grinding, long drives.
The second contender, atop the other conference, showcased an dynamic offence capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They feature a formidable ground game to pair with an elite aerial game.
The question could be whether the potent offence can withstand the smothering pass rush of the elite defensive unit—what would be a fascinating playoff matchup.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Pondering Calling It Quits?
Among the fallout from the Kansas City's defeat, comments from Patrick Mahomes about his longtime teammate fueled talk about a possible departure.
Listening to him say, "each season... I try to cherish 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 option to do what he wants to do following this campaign," Mahomes added. Should the season ends prematurely for the Chiefs, the 3x champion winner could decide to walk away.
Preview: Buffalo vs. Patriots Headlines Week 15
Josh Allen did it all again for Buffalo in a wintry victory. Allen threw 3 scores and rushed for one more, responsible for a staggering percentage of his team's overall scores this year.
Allen is the only player in league annals with 3,000 pass yards, twenty TD throws and 10 running touchdowns in three straight campaigns.
Now, he puts the team on his back again as they aim to chase down their division rivals, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, they are exactly who they face this coming Sunday.
Key Week 15 Games:
- Bills @ Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Rams
- Packers @ Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Chiefs
Week 14 Stats, Records & Notes
- A kick-off return for a 100-yard score—the biggest scoring play of the season—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one team.
- A prolific wide receiver caught 2 scores and is still tracking for a record-breaking 2,000-yard receiving.
- A feared pass rusher notched his twentieth QB sack of the campaign, moving within reach of the single-season mark.
- An international kicker helped his squad in a surprise win in soggy conditions.
- A team that was held scoreless one game bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the next.
- A struggling franchise saw its franchise quarterback return from injury, only to leave the game once more with a similar ailment.
