Every contest matters from here on in, with some huge results in week 14 that might determine postseason spots come the end of the season.
A 42-year-old veteran quarterback struck a big blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off hopes, whereas Josh Allen virtually ended the Cincinnati Bengals' hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston defense presented a massive problem and may have finished the Kansas City Chiefs season earlier than ever before in the Mahomes tenure.
The Breakdown: Division Deciders Live Up To the Hype
Three critical divisional battles lived up to the hype.
Veteran quarterback Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, guided his squad to a gritty 27-22 win in on the road. He recorded his initial running score in nearly three seasons, but it was his deep throws to his top wideout that proved to be the difference.
The Ravens' quarterback seemed out of sync as his team missed crucial opportunities—although they were angry by a late score being chalked off. The two franchises will meet again on the last weekend of the season.
In another, the longest-running feud in the league witnessed a thrilling contest. Even with touchdown deep passes, an worn-out defensive unit had to thwart another fourth-quarter rally from the opposing rookie QB in the freezing conditions.
The outcome handed one team a slender lead in their NFC North, while the losers plummeted from the NFC's number one seed all the way to outside the playoff picture.
In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Wrong for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Projections give the Chiefs only a fifteen percent chance of reaching the play-offs. Realistically, this could be the initial missed playoffs for franchise QB Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a ten years.
In Mahomes' seven complete seasons as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to 7 AFC Championship games and five championship games. This means the club has competed in nearly each possible contest during his time.
So, the causes for this year's failure are apparent and were encapsulated during Sunday's defeat. Absences ravaged an already questionable offensive line, with multiple starters out.
Even then, the quarterback provided his team a chance, however failed field goals and crucial drops—such as on a pivotal fourth down attempt—sealed their fate.
In Focus: Is the Super Bowl Be Heading for the West?
A pair of top contenders from the western divisions are building compelling arguments for Super Bowl favorites.
One squad, atop their conference, won the last Super Bowl held at February's venue. They are built on a dominant defense that leads the league in quarterback takedowns and wins through methodical, long drives.
The other contender, leading the NFC, demonstrated an dynamic offence capable of putting points on the board from any situation. They boast a formidable running game to complement an elite passing game.
A key matchup would be if the high-flying offence could withstand the smothering pressure of the elite defensive unit—a a fascinating potential showdown.
Discussion: Travis Kelce Considering Retirement?
Amid the aftermath from the Chiefs' defeat, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his star tight end sparked rumors about a possible retirement.
Listening to him state, "every year... I try to cherish since you never know" certainly sounded like he was preparing for the veteran to call it a day.
"He will have the choice to do what he wants to do after this season," Mahomes continued. If the year ends early for the Chiefs, the three-time Super Bowl veteran might choose to walk away.
Preview: Buffalo vs. Patriots Highlights Week 15
Josh Allen did it all once more for his team in a wintry victory. Allen threw three touchdowns and ran for one more, accounting for a remarkable percentage of his team's total touchdowns this season.
Allen is the only quarterback in NFL history with three thousand passing yards, 20 touchdown passes and 10 rushing touchdowns in three straight seasons.
Now, he tries to carry the Bills on his back once more as they aim to chase down their division foes, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, that's precisely who they face next.
Key Week 15 Matchups:
- Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Rams
- Packers @ Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers @ Chiefs
This Week's 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 2 touchdowns and is still on course for a record-breaking 2,000-yard season.
- A dominant pass rusher notched his twentieth QB sack of the campaign, moving within reach of the single-season mark.
- An overseas placekicker helped his team in a surprise victory in soggy conditions.
- A offense that was held scoreless one game responded with a shutout of its own the next.
- A struggling franchise watched its star QB come back from an elbow issue, only to exit the contest again with a similar injury.
