🔗 Share this article Rodgers Maintains Playoff Hopes Breathing, Yet Could This Be The End for the Chiefs? Highlights from NFL the Fourteenth Week Every contest counts from here on in, with a number of huge outcomes in the fourteenth week that may decide postseason spots come the conclusion of the season. A 42-year veteran quarterback landed a big blow to Lamar Jackson's postseason aspirations, whereas Josh Allen virtually terminated the Cincinnati Bengals' hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston defence posed a massive problem and could have finished the Kansas City Chiefs campaign earlier than ever in the Mahomes tenure. The Breakdown: Division Showdowns Exceed the Hype Three massive rivalry games did not disappoint. Seasoned signal-caller Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, led his squad to a tough 27-22 success in on the road. He recorded his initial rushing score in nearly three years, however it was his long passes to his star receiver that made the deciding factor. Lamar Jackson was out of kilter as Baltimore missed crucial opportunities—although they were frustrated by a late touchdown being nullified. These teams will meet once more on the final day of the season. In another, the oldest feud in the NFL saw a classic contest. Despite touchdown bombs, an worn-out defensive unit had to halt another late-game rally from the opposing young QB in the freezing conditions. The result handed one team a slender lead in their division, whereas the losers plummeted from the conference's number one seed all the way to outside the playoff picture. Analysis: Where Has It Gone Wrong for the Kansas City Chiefs? Projections assign the Kansas City only a fifteen percent chance of reaching the postseason. In all likelihood, this will be the initial missed post-season for franchise QB Mahomes—and the first such for the franchise in a ten years. In Mahomes' seven complete seasons as a starter, he has advanced to 7 AFC Championship games and 5 championship games. This means the team has played nearly each possible contest during his time. So, the causes for this year's struggles are apparent and were encapsulated during Sunday's loss. Absences decimated an already dodgy offensive line, with several starters missing. Even then, Mahomes provided his team a fighting chance, but failed field goals and crucial drops—including on a decisive fourth-down play—sealed their downfall. In Focus: Could the Super Bowl Be Destined for the West? A pair of top contenders from the West Coast conferences are making compelling cases for championship favorites. One team, leading their the AFC, claimed the most recent Super Bowl played at this year's venue. They are constructed on a dominant defence that tops the NFL in sacks and wins through methodical, long possessions. The second team, leading the other conference, showcased an dynamic offence capable of scoring from any situation. They feature a two-headed running game to complement an exceptional passing attack. The question could be whether the potent offense can withstand the relentless pressure of the top defensive unit—a a fascinating playoff matchup. Discussion: Travis Kelce Considering Retirement? Among the aftermath from the Chiefs' defeat, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his longtime teammate sparked talk about a possible departure. Listening to him state, "each season... I try to cherish since you never know" definitely seemed like the QB was preparing for the veteran to hang up his cleats. "He will have the choice to do whatever he chooses to do after this campaign," he continued. If the season concludes early for the team, the three-time champion winner could choose to retire. Preview: Bills vs. Patriots Headlines the Upcoming Slate Josh Allen did it all once more for his team in a snowy win. Allen passed for three touchdowns and rushed for one more, accounting for a staggering portion of his offense's total touchdowns this season. Allen is the only player in NFL annals with 3,000 pass yards, twenty TD passes and ten rushing scores in three consecutive campaigns. Next, he puts the team on his shoulders once more as they try to catch their division foes, the New England Patriots—and, that's exactly who they play this coming Sunday. Major Upcoming Week Games: Bills @ Patriots Lions @ Rams Packers @ Broncos Los Angeles Chargers @ Chiefs Week 14 Stats, Records & Notes A kick-off return for a 100-yard score—the longest play of the year—kick-started a scoring blitz for one offense. A star wide receiver scored 2 touchdowns and remains tracking for a historic 2,000-yard season. A feared defensive end recorded his twentieth sack of the season, moving within reach of the all-time record. An international placekicker played a key role for his squad in a upset victory in soggy weather. A team that was shutout one game bounced back with a shutout of its own the following week. A reeling franchise saw its star quarterback come back from an elbow issue, only to leave the contest again with a related injury.