🔗 Share this article

Each matchup counts from here on in, with a number of enormous results in the fourteenth week that might determine postseason berths by the end of the campaign.

A 42-year Aaron Rodgers landed a significant blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off aspirations, whereas Josh Allen virtually ended Joe Burrow's hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston defense posed a huge challenge and may have finished the Chiefs' season earlier than ever before in the Patrick Mahomes tenure.

The Breakdown: Division Deciders Live Up To the Hype

A trio of critical divisional battles delivered.

Seasoned quarterback Rodgers, playing with a fractured wrist, steered his team to a tough 27-22 victory in on the road. He scored his first rushing score in almost three years, however it was his deep passes to his star receiver that made the deciding factor.

The Ravens' quarterback was out of kilter as Baltimore failed to capitalize on key opportunities—although they were left fuming by a fourth-quarter score being overturned. The two teams are scheduled to face off once more on the last day of the season.

Elsewhere, the longest-running rivalry in the NFL saw a epic contest. Even with scoring deep passes, an exhausted defensive unit had to stop another late-game rally from the opposing young quarterback in the freezing weather.

The outcome gave one side a slender lead in their NFC North, while the losers plummeted from the conference's number one seed all the way to outside the playoff picture.

Analysis: Where Has It Gone Wrong for the Kansas City Chiefs?

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

In his 7 complete years as a starter, he has reached 7 AFC Championship contests and 5 Super Bowls. That indicates the club has played nearly every possible game during his time.

Therefore, the causes for this year's failure are apparent and were summed up during the recent defeat. Absences decimated an already questionable offensive line, with several starters out.

Even then, the quarterback gave his team a fighting chance, but missed field goals and critical dropped passes—including on a pivotal fourth down play—sealed their downfall.

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

A pair of powerhouse teams from the West Coast divisions are making compelling arguments for Super Bowl contention.

One team, atop their conference, claimed the most recent Super Bowl played at this year's stadium. They are built on a stifling defence that leads the league in quarterback takedowns and wins through grinding, long possessions.

The second team, leading the NFC, showcased an high-powered offence capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They boast a two-headed ground attack to pair with an elite aerial game.

A key matchup would be whether the potent offense can handle the relentless pass rush of the elite defensive unit—what would be a must-watch playoff showdown.

Discussion: Travis Kelce Pondering Retirement?

Amid the fallout from the Chiefs' loss, comments from the quarterback about his longtime tight end sparked speculation about a possible departure.

Hearing Mahomes state, "each year... I try to cherish because you never know" definitely seemed like the QB was bracing for the 36-year-old to call it a day.

"The tight end will have the option to do whatever he chooses to do following this season," Mahomes continued. Should the season concludes prematurely for the team, the 3x champion veteran could decide to retire.

Preview: Buffalo vs. New England Highlights the Upcoming Slate

The Bills' quarterback put on a show once more for Buffalo in a snowy victory. Allen threw 3 touchdowns and rushed for another, responsible for a staggering portion of his offense's overall touchdowns this season.

Allen is the first player in NFL annals with three thousand passing yards, 20 touchdown passes and ten running touchdowns 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 rivals, the Patriots—coincidentally, they are exactly who they play next.

Key Upcoming Week Games:

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

Week 14 Stats, Records & Notes

• A kickoff return for a 100-yard score—the biggest scoring play of the year—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one offense.
• A star wide receiver caught two scores and remains on course for a historic 2,000-yard season.
• A dominant defensive end notched his twentieth sack of the campaign, moving within reach of the all-time mark.
• An international placekicker played a key role for his squad in a surprise win in rainy conditions.
• A team that was shutout one game bounced back with a shutout of its own the following week.
• A struggling franchise watched its star QB return from injury, only to exit the game again with a related injury.