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Every matchup counts at this stage, with several enormous results in week 14 that could decide play-off spots by the end of the season.

A 42-year veteran quarterback dealt a major blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off aspirations, whereas Josh Allen virtually ended Joe Burrow's hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston defense posed a huge challenge and could have ended the Chiefs' season sooner than ever before in the Mahomes tenure.

Divisional Analysis: Division Showdowns Exceed the Hype

Three critical rivalry games lived up to the hype.

Veteran signal-caller Aaron Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, led his squad to a hard-fought 27-22 success in Baltimore. He recorded his first running score in almost three seasons, but it was his deep throws to his top wideout that made the difference.

Lamar Jackson seemed out of kilter as his team missed key chances—although they were angry by a fourth-quarter touchdown being nullified. These teams are scheduled to face off again on the last day of the season.

In another, the longest-running feud in the NFL saw a thrilling contest. Despite touchdown deep passes, an exhausted defensive unit had to halt another late-game comeback from the visiting young quarterback in the frigid weather.

The outcome gave one side a slender advantage in their division, while the defeated team dropped from the NFC's number one seed down to outside the playoff picture.

Analysis: Where Has It Gone Wrong for the Chiefs?

Projections assign the Kansas City only a fifteen percent chance of making the postseason. In all likelihood, this will be the initial missed playoffs for star quarterback Mahomes—and the first for the franchise in a ten years.

During Mahomes' 7 full years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to 7 AFC Championship games and 5 Super Bowls. This means the team has played nearly each available game during his tenure.

So, the reasons for the current struggles are clear and were highlighted during Sunday's loss. Absences decimated an already dodgy offensive line, with multiple key players out.

Even then, Mahomes gave his squad a chance, however missed field goals and costly dropped passes—such as on a pivotal fourth-down play—confirmed their downfall.

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

A pair of powerhouse teams from the West Coast divisions are making strong cases for Super Bowl contention.

One squad, leading their the AFC, claimed the most recent Super Bowl played at February's stadium. They are constructed on a stifling defence that leads the league in sacks and wins through methodical, time-consuming possessions.

The other team, leading the other conference, demonstrated an dynamic offense capable of scoring from anywhere. They boast a two-headed ground attack to pair with an exceptional passing attack.

The question could be whether the potent offence could solve the relentless pressure of the elite defensive unit—what would be a fascinating playoff showdown.

Talking Point: Travis Kelce Pondering Calling It Quits?

Amid the fallout from the Kansas City's defeat, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his star teammate sparked talk about a possible departure.

Listening to him say, "every season... I try to appreciate because you never know" definitely seemed like he was bracing for the veteran to hang up his cleats.

"He will have the option to do what he wants to do following this campaign," Mahomes added. If the year ends prematurely for the team, the 3x Super Bowl veteran could decide to walk away.

Preview: Bills vs. New England Headlines Week 15

The Bills' quarterback did it all again for his team in a snowy win. He passed for 3 touchdowns and rushed for another, accounting for a staggering percentage of his team's total touchdowns this season.

He is the first quarterback in league annals with three thousand pass yards, 20 TD throws and ten rushing scores in three consecutive campaigns.

Now, he tries to carry the Bills on his back again as they try to chase down their division rivals, the New England Patriots—and, they are exactly who they face next.

Key Upcoming Week Games:

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

This Week's Statistical Highlights

• A kickoff runback for a 100-yard score—the longest scoring play of the year—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one team.
• A prolific receiver scored two touchdowns and remains tracking for a record-breaking 2,000-yard receiving.
• A dominant defensive end notched his twentieth QB sack of the campaign, moving within reach of the single-season mark.
• An international placekicker helped his team in a upset victory in rainy conditions.
• A offense that was held scoreless one week responded with a shutout of its own the following week.
• A reeling franchise saw its franchise QB come back from injury, only to leave the contest once more with a related ailment.