Each matchup matters from here on in, with several huge conclusions in the fourteenth week that could settle postseason positions come the end of the season.
A 42-year Aaron Rodgers dealt a significant blow to the Baltimore Ravens' play-off aspirations, while Josh Allen virtually ended Joe Burrow's hopes. At the same time, the Houston Texans defense presented a huge problem and could have ended the Chiefs' campaign sooner than ever before in the Mahomes tenure.
Divisional Analysis: Division Showdowns Live Up To the Hype
A trio of huge rivalry games delivered.
Veteran quarterback Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, steered his team to a tough close win in on the road. He recorded his first running touchdown in almost three years, however it was his long throws to his star wideout that proved to be the deciding factor.
The Ravens' quarterback was off rhythm as Baltimore missed key opportunities—although they were left fuming by a late touchdown being chalked off. The two franchises are scheduled to face off again on the last day of the regular season.
In another, the oldest rivalry in the NFL witnessed a epic encounter. Despite scoring bombs, an worn-out defense had to thwart another late-game comeback from the opposing rookie QB in the freezing conditions.
This result gave one team a narrow lead in their division, while the losers plummeted from the NFC's top spot all the way to outside the playoff picture.
Analysis: Where Has It Gone Wrong for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Projections give the Kansas City only a 15% chance of reaching the play-offs. Realistically, this could be the first missed playoffs for franchise QB Mahomes—and the first for the organization in a decade.
In his 7 complete years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to seven conference championship contests and five championship games. This indicates the team has played nearly each possible game throughout his time.
So, the causes for this year's failure are apparent and were encapsulated during Sunday's defeat. Injuries decimated an already questionable offensive line, with several starters out.
Despite that, the quarterback gave his squad a fighting chance, but failed field goals and costly dropped passes—such as on a decisive fourth-down attempt—sealed their downfall.
In Focus: Could the Super Bowl Be Heading for the West?
Two top teams from the western divisions are building strong 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 dominant defense that leads the NFL in quarterback takedowns and victories through methodical, long possessions.
The other team, leading the NFC, showcased an high-powered offense capable of scoring from anywhere. They boast a formidable ground game to complement an elite aerial game.
A key matchup could be if the high-flying offence could withstand the smothering pass rush of the elite defensive unit—a a must-watch potential showdown.
Discussion: A Star Tight End Pondering Retirement?
Amid the fallout from the Kansas City's loss, remarks from the quarterback about his star teammate fueled talk about a possible retirement.
Hearing him say, "every season... I try to appreciate since you never know" definitely sounded like he was bracing for the 36-year-old to hang up his cleats.
"The tight end will have the choice to do what he wants to do following this campaign," he added. Should the season ends early for the Chiefs, the 3x champion winner might choose to walk away.
Looking Ahead: Buffalo vs. Patriots Highlights the Upcoming Slate
Josh Allen did it all again for Buffalo in a wintry victory. He threw three scores and rushed for one more, responsible for a remarkable percentage of his offense's total scores this season.
Allen is the first player in NFL history with 3,000 pass yards, 20 touchdown passes and 10 rushing touchdowns in 3 straight campaigns.
Now, he puts the team on his shoulders again as they aim to chase down their division foes, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, that's precisely who they play next.
Key Week 15 Games:
- Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
- Detroit Lions @ Rams
- Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff return for a 100-yard score—the longest scoring play of the year—kick-started a scoring blitz for one offense.
- A star wide receiver caught two scores and is still tracking for a historic 2,000-yard season.
- A feared pass rusher recorded his 20th QB sack of the campaign, closing in of the all-time record.
- An international placekicker helped his squad in a upset win in soggy weather.
- A team that was held scoreless one game responded with a clean sheet of its own the following week.
- A struggling franchise saw its franchise QB come back from injury, only to leave the contest once more with a related ailment.
