🔗 Share this article

Each game matters at this stage, with several massive outcomes in week 14 that might determine postseason spots come the end of the year.

A 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers dealt a significant setback to the Baltimore Ravens' play-off aspirations, whereas the Buffalo Bills quarterback all-but finished the Cincinnati Bengals' chances. Meanwhile, the Houston defense posed a massive challenge and could have finished the Kansas City Chiefs season sooner than ever in the Patrick Mahomes tenure.

The Breakdown: Division Deciders Exceed the Hype

Three critical divisional battles delivered.

Seasoned quarterback Aaron Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, guided his team to a gritty close success in on the road. He notched his first rushing score in nearly three seasons, but it was his long throws to his top receiver that made the difference.

Lamar Jackson seemed out of sync as Baltimore missed crucial opportunities—though they were angry by a fourth-quarter touchdown being nullified. These franchises are scheduled to face off again on the final weekend of the season.

Elsewhere, the oldest rivalry in the league saw a classic contest. Even with touchdown deep passes, an worn-out defense had to thwart another late-game comeback from the opposing rookie quarterback in the frigid conditions.

The result gave one team a slender advantage in their NFC North, while the defeated team plummeted from the conference's number one seed all the way to outside the playoff picture.

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

Projections assign the Chiefs only a 15% chance of reaching the play-offs. In all likelihood, this will be the initial missed playoffs for star quarterback Mahomes—and the first such for the franchise in a ten years.

In his 7 full seasons as a starter, he has reached 7 AFC Championship games and 5 championship games. That means the team has played almost every available contest during his time.

Therefore, the reasons for this year's struggles are apparent and were summed up during Sunday's loss. Absences decimated an already struggling O-line, with multiple starters missing.

Even then, Mahomes gave his team a chance, however failed kicks and critical drops—including on a pivotal fourth-down attempt—confirmed their fate.

In Focus: Could the Super Bowl Be Destined for the West?

A pair of top teams from the western divisions are building strong cases for Super Bowl favorites.

One squad, atop their conference, won the last Super Bowl played at this year's stadium. They are constructed on a stifling defence that leads the league in quarterback takedowns and victories through grinding, long possessions.

The other contender, leading the other conference, demonstrated an dynamic offence capable of scoring from anywhere. They boast a two-headed ground attack to pair with an elite passing game.

The question could be whether the high-flying offence can handle the relentless pressure of the top defense—what would be a fascinating playoff showdown.

Discussion: A Star Tight End Pondering Calling It Quits?

Amid the fallout from the Kansas City's defeat, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his longtime teammate fueled talk about a potential retirement.

Hearing Mahomes state, "each year... I try to cherish since you never know" definitely seemed like the QB was bracing for the 36-year-old to hang up his cleats.

"The tight end will have the option to do what he chooses to do following this campaign," he continued. Should the year concludes prematurely for the Chiefs, the three-time champion veteran could decide to retire.

Preview: Bills vs. New England Highlights the Upcoming Slate

The Bills' quarterback did it all again for his team in a wintry win. He threw three scores and rushed for one more, responsible for a remarkable portion of his team's total scores this year.

He is the only quarterback in NFL annals with three thousand pass yards, 20 touchdown throws and 10 rushing scores in 3 straight seasons.

Now, he puts the Bills on his shoulders again as they try to catch their AFC East rivals, the Patriots—and, that's precisely who they play this coming Sunday.

Major Week 15 Games:

• Bills @ New England Patriots
• Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
• Packers @ Denver Broncos
• Chargers @ Chiefs

This Week's Stats, Records & Notes

• A kick-off return for a 100-yard score—the biggest play of the year—kick-started a scoring blitz for one team.
• A prolific wide receiver caught 2 touchdowns and remains tracking for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
• A feared pass rusher notched his twentieth sack of the campaign, closing in of the all-time record.
• An overseas kicker helped his team in a surprise win in rainy conditions.
• A team that was shutout one week bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the following week.
• A struggling team watched its franchise QB return from injury, only to exit the contest again with a similar ailment.