Each game counts down the stretch, with some massive outcomes in the fourteenth week that could decide play-off berths come the conclusion of the campaign.
A 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers landed a major setback to the Baltimore Ravens' play-off aspirations, while Josh Allen all-but finished the Cincinnati Bengals' chances. At the same time, the Houston defense presented a massive problem and could have concluded the Chiefs' season sooner than ever in the Mahomes tenure.
The Breakdown: Divisional Deciders Exceed the Anticipation
A trio of critical rivalry games lived up to the hype.
Seasoned signal-caller Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, guided his squad to a tough close win in Baltimore. He scored his initial running score in almost three years, but it was his deep throws to his top receiver that made the deciding factor.
The Ravens' quarterback was out of sync as Baltimore failed to capitalize on key chances—although they were angry by a late score being overturned. The two teams will meet once more on the last weekend of the regular season.
In another, the oldest rivalry in the league saw a classic contest. Despite touchdown deep passes, an exhausted defensive unit had to stop another late-game rally from the visiting rookie QB in the frigid weather.
This result handed one team a narrow advantage in their division, while the losers plummeted from the conference's number one seed down to seventh.
In-Depth Look: Where Has It Gone Wrong for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Projections give the Chiefs only a 15% probability of reaching the postseason. Realistically, this will be the first missed playoffs for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first for the franchise in a decade.
During Mahomes' 7 complete years as a starter, he has reached seven AFC Championship contests and five Super Bowls. This means the team has competed in almost every possible contest during his time.
So, the causes for this year's failure are apparent and were summed up during the recent loss. Absences ravaged an already questionable O-line, with several key players out.
Even then, Mahomes provided his team a chance, but failed field goals and critical drops—including on a decisive fourth-down attempt—sealed their downfall.
In Focus: Is the Lombardi Trophy Be Destined for the Western US?
Two top contenders from the western conferences are building strong arguments for Super Bowl contention.
One team, leading their conference, won the most recent title played at February's stadium. They are constructed on a stifling defence that tops the league in sacks and wins through methodical, long drives.
The other contender, atop the other conference, demonstrated an explosive offense capable of scoring from any situation. They feature a two-headed ground attack to pair with an elite passing attack.
A key matchup would be if the potent offence could withstand the smothering pass rush of the top defensive unit—what would be a fascinating potential showdown.
Talking Point: A Star Tight End Considering Retirement?
Among the aftermath from the Chiefs' defeat, comments from Patrick Mahomes about his longtime tight end fueled talk about a potential retirement.
Listening to Mahomes state, "each year... I try to cherish since you never know" definitely sounded like the QB 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 season," he added. If the year ends prematurely for the Chiefs, the 3x Super Bowl veteran could decide to walk away.
Preview: Buffalo vs. New England Headlines the Upcoming Slate
The Bills' quarterback did it all again for his team in a snowy victory. Allen threw 3 scores and ran for another, accounting for a staggering percentage of his offense's overall touchdowns this year.
Allen is the only player in NFL history with three thousand pass yards, 20 touchdown throws and 10 running scores in three consecutive seasons.
Now, he tries to carry the team on his shoulders again as they aim to catch their division foes, the Patriots—and, that's precisely who they play next.
Major Week 15 Games:
- Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
- Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
- Packers @ Denver Broncos
- Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
This Week's Stats, Records & Notes
- A kickoff runback for a 100-yard score—the longest scoring play of the year—kick-started a scoring blitz for one team.
- A prolific receiver scored 2 touchdowns and is still on course for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
- A dominant defensive end notched his 20th QB sack of the campaign, closing in of the all-time mark.
- An international placekicker helped his squad in a upset victory in soggy conditions.
- A team that was shutout one game responded with a shutout of its own the next.
- A struggling franchise saw its franchise quarterback come back from an elbow issue, only to leave the contest again with a similar injury.
