🔗 Share this article

Each matchup matters down the stretch, with some enormous results in the fourteenth week that might determine postseason berths by the end of the year.

A 42-year Aaron Rodgers struck a significant blow to the Baltimore Ravens' play-off aspirations, whereas Josh Allen virtually terminated Joe Burrow's hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston defence presented a significant problem and may have ended the Kansas City Chiefs season sooner than ever in the Patrick Mahomes tenure.

The Breakdown: Division Showdowns Live Up To the Expectations

Three huge divisional battles lived up to the hype.

Seasoned signal-caller Aaron Rodgers, playing with a fractured wrist, steered his squad to a hard-fought close win in on the road. He scored his first rushing score in almost three seasons, however it was his deep passes to his top wideout that made the deciding factor.

The Ravens' quarterback was off rhythm as his team failed to capitalize on key chances—though they were left fuming by a fourth-quarter score being overturned. These teams will meet once more on the last day of the season.

In another, the oldest feud in the league saw a classic contest. Despite touchdown deep passes, an worn-out defensive unit had to stop another late-game comeback from the visiting rookie QB in the freezing weather.

This outcome handed one team a slender lead in their division, whereas the defeated team fell from the conference's number one seed down to seventh.

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

Projections assign the Chiefs only a 15% probability of making the postseason. Realistically, this could be the first missed playoffs for franchise QB Patrick Mahomes—and the first for the organization in a ten years.

During his seven complete years as a starter, he has advanced to 7 conference championship games and five Super Bowls. That indicates the team has played nearly every possible game throughout his time.

Therefore, the causes for this year's struggles are clear and were highlighted during Sunday's loss. Absences ravaged an already struggling offensive line, with multiple starters missing.

Despite that, Mahomes gave his squad a chance, but failed kicks and costly drops—including on a key fourth down play—confirmed their downfall.

Spotlight: Is the Super Bowl Be Heading for the Western US?

A pair of top contenders from the West Coast conferences are building compelling cases for championship favorites.

One squad, atop their conference, won the most recent Super Bowl played at this year's stadium. They are constructed on a dominant defense that tops the league in sacks and wins through methodical, time-consuming possessions.

The second contender, atop the NFC, showcased an high-powered offense capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They feature a two-headed ground attack to pair with an exceptional passing attack.

A key matchup could be whether the high-flying offense can withstand the smothering pass rush of the elite defensive unit—a a must-watch playoff showdown.

Discussion: Travis Kelce Pondering Retirement?

Among the aftermath from the Kansas City's defeat, remarks from the quarterback about his star tight end sparked speculation about a potential departure.

Hearing him state, "every year... I try to appreciate since you never know" certainly seemed like the QB was preparing for the 36-year-old to call it a day.

"He will have the choice to do whatever he chooses to do after this campaign," he continued. If the season concludes early for the team, the 3x Super Bowl winner could choose to walk away.

Preview: Bills vs. New England Headlines Week 15

Josh Allen did it all once more for Buffalo in a snowy win. He threw 3 scores and rushed for another, accounting for a staggering percentage of his offense's total scores this season.

Allen is the first quarterback in league annals with 3,000 passing yards, 20 touchdown throws and ten running scores in 3 straight campaigns.

Next, he tries to carry the team on his shoulders once more as they try to chase down their AFC East foes, the Patriots—coincidentally, they are precisely who they face this coming Sunday.

Major Upcoming Week Games:

• Buffalo Bills @ Patriots
• Lions @ Rams
• Packers @ Broncos
• Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs

Week 14 Stats, Records & Notes

• A kickoff runback for a 100-yard score—the biggest scoring play of the season—kick-started a scoring blitz for one offense.
• A prolific receiver scored two scores and is still tracking for a historic 2,000-yard season.
• A dominant defensive end recorded his twentieth sack of the season, moving within reach of the single-season record.
• An international placekicker played a key role for his team in a upset win in rainy weather.
• A team that was held scoreless one week bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the following week.
• A struggling franchise watched its star quarterback return from an elbow issue, only to leave the game again with a related injury.