🔗 Share this article

Each game is crucial down the stretch, with a number of enormous conclusions in week 14 that may settle play-off positions by the end of the year.

A 42-year-old veteran quarterback dealt a big blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off hopes, whereas the Buffalo Bills quarterback all-but finished the Cincinnati Bengals' hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston defence presented a massive challenge and could have ended the Kansas City Chiefs campaign earlier than ever before in the Patrick Mahomes tenure.

The Breakdown: Divisional Deciders Live Up To the Hype

A trio of massive division clashes did not disappoint.

Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, led his squad to a gritty close victory in Baltimore. He scored his first running touchdown in almost three years, but it was his long throws to his top wideout that proved to be the deciding factor.

The Ravens' quarterback was out of kilter as Baltimore failed to capitalize on key opportunities—although they were frustrated by a fourth-quarter touchdown being chalked off. The two teams are scheduled to face off once more on the final weekend of the regular season.

Elsewhere, the longest-running rivalry in the league witnessed a epic contest. Even with touchdown bombs, an worn-out defense had to stop another fourth-quarter comeback from the opposing young QB in the freezing conditions.

The outcome handed one team a narrow advantage in their NFC North, whereas the losers fell from the conference's number one seed all the way to outside the playoff picture.

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

Projections assign the Chiefs only a fifteen percent probability of making the play-offs. In all likelihood, this could be the first missed post-season for star quarterback Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a decade.

During his 7 complete seasons as a starting quarterback, he has reached 7 conference championship contests and 5 championship games. That means the club has played nearly each possible contest throughout his time.

So, the reasons for the current struggles are apparent and were summed up during Sunday's defeat. Absences decimated an already questionable O-line, with multiple key players out.

Despite that, the quarterback provided his team a chance, but failed field goals and critical dropped passes—including on a key fourth-down play—sealed their downfall.

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

Two top contenders from the western conferences are making strong cases for Super Bowl contention.

One team, atop their conference, won the last Super Bowl held at February's stadium. They are built on a stifling defense that leads the league in sacks and wins through methodical, long possessions.

The other team, leading the other conference, showcased an high-powered offence capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They boast a two-headed running game to pair with an exceptional aerial game.

A key matchup would be if the potent offense could handle the smothering pass rush of the elite defense—what would be a must-watch playoff showdown.

Talking Point: A Star Tight End Considering Calling It Quits?

Amid the fallout from the Chiefs' loss, comments from the quarterback about his star tight end fueled talk about a potential departure.

Hearing him say, "every year... I try to cherish because you never know" definitely sounded like the QB was preparing for the veteran to call it a day.

"The tight end will have the option to do what he chooses to do following this campaign," he continued. Should the year concludes early for the Chiefs, the 3x champion winner could choose to retire.

Preview: Buffalo vs. Patriots Headlines Week 15

Josh Allen did it all once more for Buffalo in a snowy victory. He threw 3 touchdowns and ran for another, accounting for a remarkable portion of his team's total scores this year.

Allen is the only player in league history with three thousand passing yards, 20 touchdown passes and 10 rushing scores in 3 straight seasons.

Next, he puts the team on his back again as they try to chase down their division rivals, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, they are precisely who they face next.

Key Upcoming Week Matchups:

• 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 biggest play of the year—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one offense.
• A star receiver scored two touchdowns and is still tracking for a historic 2,000-yard season.
• A feared defensive end recorded his twentieth QB sack of the season, closing in of the single-season record.
• An international placekicker played a key role for his squad in a surprise victory in rainy weather.
• A team that was shutout one game responded with a clean sheet of its own the following week.
• A struggling team saw its franchise quarterback return from an elbow issue, only to leave the contest once more with a similar injury.