🔗 Share this article

Each contest matters down the stretch, with several enormous conclusions in the fourteenth week that may determine postseason berths come the end of the year.

A 42-year veteran quarterback dealt a big blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off hopes, whereas the Buffalo Bills quarterback virtually terminated the Cincinnati Bengals' hopes. At the same time, the Houston defense presented a significant challenge and may have finished the Kansas City Chiefs season earlier than ever in the Mahomes era.

The Breakdown: Division Deciders Live Up To the Expectations

A trio of huge divisional battles lived up to the hype.

Seasoned signal-caller Rodgers, competing with a injured wrist, steered his squad to a tough close victory in on the road. The future Hall of Famer notched his initial running touchdown in almost three seasons, however it was his long passes to his top receiver that proved to be the difference.

Lamar Jackson was out of sync as Baltimore failed to capitalize on key chances—although they were angry by a late touchdown being nullified. The two franchises will meet again on the last day of the regular season.

In another, the longest-running feud in the league witnessed a epic contest. Despite touchdown bombs, an exhausted defense had to thwart another late-game comeback from the visiting rookie QB in the frigid weather.

This result handed one team a narrow lead in their division, whereas the defeated team plummeted from the NFC's number one seed down to seventh.

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

Projections assign the Kansas City only a fifteen percent chance of making the play-offs. Realistically, this will be the first missed playoffs for franchise QB Mahomes—and the first such for the franchise in a ten years.

During his seven complete seasons as a starting quarterback, he has reached 7 AFC Championship contests and five championship games. This indicates the team has played nearly each possible game during his time.

Therefore, the reasons for the current failure are apparent and were highlighted during Sunday's defeat. Absences decimated an already dodgy offensive line, with several key players out.

Despite that, the quarterback provided his team a fighting chance, but missed field goals and critical drops—including on a pivotal fourth down attempt—sealed their fate.

In Focus: Is the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the West?

A pair of top contenders from the West Coast conferences are building compelling arguments for Super Bowl contention.

One squad, leading their the AFC, claimed the last title played at this year's stadium. They are constructed on a stifling defense that tops the league in sacks and wins through methodical, long drives.

The second contender, atop the other conference, showcased an dynamic offence capable of scoring from any situation. They feature a two-headed ground game to complement an elite aerial attack.

The question would be if the potent offense can solve the smothering pass rush of the top defensive unit—what would be a fascinating playoff matchup.

Discussion: A Star Tight End Pondering Retirement?

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

Listening to Mahomes state, "every season... I try to cherish since you never know" certainly sounded like he 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 after this campaign," he continued. Should the season ends early for the team, the three-time champion veteran could choose to walk away.

Preview: Bills vs. New England Highlights Week 15

Josh Allen put on a show again for Buffalo in a snowy victory. He passed for 3 scores and rushed for another, responsible for a staggering percentage of his offense's overall scores this year.

He is the only quarterback in league annals with 3,000 pass yards, 20 TD passes and ten rushing touchdowns in 3 straight seasons.

Now, he puts the Bills on his shoulders once more as they aim to chase down their division rivals, the Patriots—and, they are exactly who they play this coming Sunday.

Key Week 15 Games:

• Bills @ Patriots
• Detroit Lions @ Rams
• Packers @ Denver Broncos
• Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs

Week 14 Statistical Highlights

• A kick-off runback for a 100-yard score—the longest scoring play of the season—kick-started a scoring blitz for one offense.
• A star receiver caught two touchdowns and remains on course for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
• A dominant defensive end recorded his twentieth QB sack of the season, closing in of the all-time mark.
• An overseas placekicker helped his team in a upset victory in rainy conditions.
• A team that was held scoreless one week responded with a clean sheet of its own the following week.
• A struggling team saw its franchise quarterback come back from injury, only to leave the game again with a similar ailment.