Each game is crucial from here on in, with some enormous results in week 14 that may determine play-off spots come the end of the year.
A 42-year-old veteran quarterback landed a big setback to Lamar Jackson's play-off aspirations, while Josh Allen virtually finished Joe Burrow's chances. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defence posed a huge challenge and could have concluded the Chiefs' campaign sooner than ever in the Mahomes tenure.
Divisional Analysis: Divisional Deciders Live Up To the Anticipation
Three massive rivalry games did not disappoint.
Seasoned signal-caller Rodgers, competing with a injured wrist, steered his team to a tough close victory in on the road. He scored his first rushing touchdown in almost three seasons, however it was his deep passes to his top wideout that proved to be the deciding factor.
The Ravens' quarterback seemed out of kilter as Baltimore failed to capitalize on key chances—although they were frustrated by a fourth-quarter score being chalked off. The two franchises are scheduled to face off again on the last weekend of the season.
Elsewhere, the oldest rivalry in the NFL witnessed a epic contest. Even with scoring deep passes, an exhausted defense had to thwart another late-game comeback from the visiting young QB in the frigid weather.
The outcome gave one team a narrow advantage in their NFC North, whereas the losers fell from the conference's top spot down to outside the playoff picture.
Analysis: What Has Gone Awry for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Statistical models give the Chiefs only a 15% chance of making the postseason. In all likelihood, this could be the initial missed post-season for star quarterback Mahomes—and the first such for the franchise in a decade.
During Mahomes' seven full years as a starting quarterback, he has reached seven AFC Championship contests and five Super Bowls. That indicates the club has competed in almost each possible contest throughout his tenure.
So, the reasons for this year's failure are clear and were summed up during Sunday's loss. Absences decimated an already dodgy O-line, with multiple starters missing.
Even then, the quarterback provided his squad a fighting chance, but failed field goals and critical drops—such as on a pivotal fourth-down attempt—confirmed their fate.
Spotlight: Is the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the West?
A pair of top contenders from the western divisions are building strong cases for Super Bowl favorites.
One team, atop their conference, won the most recent Super Bowl played at February's stadium. They are constructed on a stifling defence that leads the league in sacks and wins through methodical, long possessions.
The second contender, atop the other conference, demonstrated an high-powered offense capable of scoring from anywhere. They feature a formidable ground game to pair with an exceptional aerial attack.
The question would be if the potent offense can handle the smothering pressure of the top defense—what would be a fascinating potential matchup.
Discussion: Travis Kelce Considering Retirement?
Among the fallout from the Chiefs' defeat, comments from Patrick Mahomes about his star teammate sparked rumors about a potential retirement.
Listening to him say, "every year... I try to appreciate because you never know" certainly seemed like he 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 after this season," he added. Should the season concludes early for the team, the three-time champion veteran might decide to walk away.
Preview: Bills vs. New England Highlights Week 15
The Bills' quarterback did it all once more for his team in a wintry victory. He passed for three touchdowns and rushed for one more, accounting for a staggering percentage of his offense's total touchdowns this year.
Allen is the first quarterback in NFL annals with three thousand passing yards, twenty touchdown passes and ten rushing scores in 3 straight campaigns.
Next, he puts the Bills on his shoulders again as they try to chase down their AFC East rivals, the Patriots—and, that's exactly who they face next.
Major Upcoming Week Games:
- Buffalo Bills @ Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Rams
- Packers @ Broncos
- Chargers @ Chiefs
This Week's Statistical Highlights
- A kick-off runback for a 100-yard score—the longest play of the year—kick-started a scoring blitz for one offense.
- A prolific wide receiver scored 2 scores and remains on course for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
- A dominant defensive end notched his 20th sack of the season, moving within reach of the all-time mark.
- An overseas kicker played a key role for his team in a upset victory in soggy weather.
- A team that was shutout one game responded with a shutout of its own the next.
- A struggling team saw its star quarterback come back from injury, only to exit the contest once more with a related ailment.
