Each contest counts from here on in, with a number of enormous results in week 14 that could decide postseason berths by the end of the season.
A 42-year Aaron Rodgers struck a big setback to Lamar Jackson's play-off aspirations, while the Buffalo Bills quarterback virtually finished the Cincinnati Bengals' hopes. At the same time, the Houston Texans defence presented a huge challenge and may have ended the Kansas City Chiefs campaign sooner than ever in the Mahomes tenure.
Divisional Analysis: Division Showdowns Live Up To the Expectations
Three huge division clashes lived up to the hype.
Seasoned signal-caller Rodgers, playing with a fractured wrist, led his squad to a hard-fought close victory in Baltimore. He recorded his first rushing score in almost three years, but it was his deep passes to his top receiver that proved to be the difference.
Lamar Jackson seemed out of sync as Baltimore failed to capitalize on key chances—although they were angry by a fourth-quarter score being chalked off. The two teams will meet again on the last day of the season.
In another, the oldest feud in the league witnessed a epic encounter. Despite touchdown bombs, an exhausted defensive unit had to thwart another late-game comeback from the opposing rookie quarterback in the frigid weather.
This result gave one side a narrow lead in their NFC North, while the defeated team plummeted from the NFC's top spot down to outside the playoff picture.
In-Depth Look: Where Has It Gone Wrong for the Chiefs?
Statistical models assign the Kansas City only a 15% probability of making the postseason. Realistically, this will be the initial missed playoffs for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the franchise in a decade.
In Mahomes' seven full years as a starting quarterback, he has reached 7 conference championship games and 5 championship games. That means the team has competed in almost each possible contest during his tenure.
So, the reasons for the current struggles are evident and were summed up during the recent loss. Injuries decimated an already questionable offensive line, with multiple starters out.
Despite that, Mahomes gave his squad a fighting chance, but missed field goals and costly drops—including on a key fourth-down attempt—sealed their fate.
Spotlight: Could the Super Bowl Be Heading for the Western US?
Two top contenders from the western divisions are building strong cases for Super Bowl favorites.
One team, leading their conference, won the most recent title held at this year's venue. They are constructed on a stifling defense that tops the league in sacks and wins through grinding, long possessions.
The second team, atop the NFC, demonstrated an dynamic offence capable of putting points on the board from any situation. They boast a two-headed running game to pair with an exceptional passing attack.
The question could be if the high-flying offence can solve the smothering pressure of the elite defense—a a fascinating playoff matchup.
Discussion: Travis Kelce Considering Retirement?
Amid the fallout from the Chiefs' loss, remarks from the quarterback about his star teammate sparked rumors about a potential departure.
Listening to him state, "each year... I try to cherish since you never know" definitely seemed like the QB was bracing for the veteran to call it a day.
"The tight end will have the option to do whatever he chooses to do following this campaign," Mahomes continued. Should the season ends prematurely for the team, the 3x Super Bowl winner might decide to walk away.
Preview: Bills vs. Patriots Headlines Week 15
The Bills' quarterback did it all again for his team in a snowy victory. Allen threw 3 touchdowns and ran for another, responsible for a remarkable portion of his offense's overall touchdowns this year.
Allen is the only player in league history with 3,000 passing yards, 20 touchdown passes and 10 rushing scores in 3 straight campaigns.
Next, he puts the Bills on his shoulders once more as they try to chase down their division rivals, the New England Patriots—and, that's exactly who they play next.
Major Week 15 Matchups:
- Bills @ Patriots
- Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Chargers @ Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff runback for a 100-yard touchdown—the biggest scoring play of the season—kick-started a scoring blitz for one offense.
- A prolific receiver scored two scores and remains on course for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
- A feared defensive end recorded his twentieth QB sack of the campaign, moving within reach of the all-time record.
- An international kicker played a key role for his squad in a surprise win in rainy weather.
- A offense that was held scoreless one week bounced back with a shutout of its own the next.
- A struggling franchise saw its star QB come back from an elbow issue, only to leave the game again with a related injury.
