Rodgers Maintains Playoff Dreams Alive, But Is It The End for the Chiefs? Top Stories from National Football League the Fourteenth Week

Every contest is crucial from here on in, with some enormous outcomes in week 14 that may determine postseason positions by the end of the year.

A 42-year Aaron Rodgers landed a significant setback to Lamar Jackson's postseason hopes, while Josh Allen all-but terminated the Cincinnati Bengals' chances. At the same time, the Houston Texans defense posed a massive problem and could have concluded the Kansas City Chiefs season earlier than ever in the Patrick Mahomes era.

The Breakdown: Divisional Deciders Live Up To the Expectations

Three massive rivalry games did not disappoint.

Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, led his squad to a tough close victory in Baltimore. He recorded his initial rushing touchdown in almost three seasons, however it was his long throws to his top receiver that proved to be the deciding factor.

Lamar Jackson was out of kilter as Baltimore missed crucial chances—though they were frustrated by a late touchdown being chalked off. The two teams are scheduled to face off once more on the final weekend of the season.

In another, the oldest feud in the league witnessed a classic contest. Despite touchdown bombs, an exhausted defensive unit had to stop another late-game rally from the opposing young quarterback in the frigid weather.

This outcome gave one side a slender advantage in their division, while the defeated team 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 assign the Kansas City only a fifteen percent probability of reaching the play-offs. In all likelihood, this will be the initial missed playoffs for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a decade.

During his seven full years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to seven AFC Championship games and 5 Super Bowls. That indicates the club has played almost each possible game during his time.

So, the causes for the current failure are clear and were encapsulated during the recent loss. Injuries ravaged an already questionable offensive line, with multiple starters out.

Even then, the quarterback gave his team a chance, but failed kicks and costly drops—including on a key fourth down attempt—sealed their fate.

Spotlight: Is the Super Bowl Be Heading for the Western US?

Two top teams from the West Coast divisions are building compelling cases for championship contention.

One team, atop their conference, won the last title held at this year's stadium. They are built on a stifling defence that leads the NFL in quarterback takedowns and wins through methodical, long possessions.

The other team, atop the NFC, showcased an dynamic offense capable of scoring from any situation. They boast a two-headed running game to pair with an exceptional passing attack.

A key matchup could be if the high-flying offence could handle the relentless pressure of the top defense—what would be a fascinating potential showdown.

Discussion: Travis Kelce Considering Calling It Quits?

Amid the aftermath from the Kansas City's loss, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his longtime tight end fueled rumors about a possible retirement.

Listening to Mahomes say, "each year... I try to cherish because you never know" definitely sounded like the QB was preparing for the 36-year-old to call it a day.

"The tight end will have the choice to do whatever he wants to do after this season," he continued. If the year ends early for the team, the 3x champion veteran might choose to retire.

Looking Ahead: Buffalo vs. Patriots Highlights the Upcoming Slate

Josh Allen put on a show again for Buffalo in a snowy victory. Allen passed for three scores and ran for another, accounting for a staggering percentage of his offense's total scores this year.

He is the only quarterback in league history with 3,000 pass yards, twenty touchdown throws and ten running scores in three straight campaigns.

Next, he puts the team on his shoulders again as they try to catch their division rivals, the Patriots—coincidentally, they are precisely who they play this coming Sunday.

Key Upcoming Week Matchups:

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

This Week's Stats, Records & Notes

• A kick-off runback for a 100-yard touchdown—the longest scoring play of the year—kick-started a scoring blitz for one offense.
• A star wide receiver scored two touchdowns and is still tracking for a record-breaking 2,000-yard receiving.
• A feared pass rusher notched his twentieth sack of the campaign, closing in of the all-time record.
• An international placekicker helped his squad in a surprise win in soggy conditions.
• A team that was shutout one week responded with a shutout of its own the next.
• A reeling team saw its franchise QB return from injury, only to leave the contest once more with a related injury.