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Every game is crucial from here on in, with several massive conclusions in week 14 that might determine play-off berths come the end of the season.

A 42-year veteran quarterback landed a significant setback to Lamar Jackson's postseason aspirations, whereas the Buffalo Bills quarterback virtually ended the Cincinnati Bengals' hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston defence presented a significant problem and may have finished the Chiefs' season earlier than ever in the Patrick Mahomes tenure.

The Breakdown: Division Showdowns Exceed the Anticipation

A trio of critical division clashes did not disappoint.

Veteran signal-caller Aaron Rodgers, playing with a fractured wrist, led his team to a gritty 27-22 victory in on the road. The future Hall of Famer recorded his first running touchdown in almost three seasons, however it was his long passes to his top receiver that proved to be the deciding factor.

The Ravens' quarterback seemed out of sync as his team failed to capitalize on key chances—although they were angry by a fourth-quarter touchdown being overturned. These teams will meet again on the last weekend of the regular season.

In another, the longest-running feud in the league witnessed a epic encounter. Even with touchdown bombs, an worn-out defensive unit had to thwart another late-game comeback from the opposing rookie quarterback in the freezing weather.

This outcome handed one side a narrow advantage in their division, while the losers dropped from the NFC's number one seed all the way to outside the playoff picture.

Analysis: What Has Gone Awry for the Kansas City Chiefs?

Projections give the Kansas City only a fifteen percent chance of making the postseason. Realistically, this will be the initial missed post-season for franchise QB Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a ten years.

During Mahomes' 7 complete seasons as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to 7 AFC Championship games and 5 championship games. This means the team has competed in almost each available contest throughout his time.

So, the reasons for this year's failure are clear and were encapsulated during the recent loss. Injuries ravaged an already questionable offensive line, with several key players missing.

Despite that, Mahomes gave his squad a chance, however missed field goals and critical drops—including on a pivotal fourth down play—confirmed their downfall.

In Focus: Could the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the Western US?

Two powerhouse teams from the western divisions are building compelling arguments for championship contention.

One team, leading their the AFC, claimed the most recent Super Bowl held at February's stadium. They are built on a dominant defense that tops the NFL in sacks and victories through grinding, time-consuming possessions.

The second contender, leading the other conference, showcased an dynamic offense capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They boast a two-headed ground attack to pair with an exceptional aerial game.

The question would be if the potent offense could withstand the smothering pressure of the top defensive unit—a a fascinating playoff showdown.

Discussion: A Star Tight End Pondering Calling It Quits?

Among the fallout from the Chiefs' defeat, remarks from the quarterback about his star teammate fueled speculation about a possible retirement.

Hearing Mahomes say, "each year... I try to appreciate since you never know" definitely sounded like the QB was bracing for the veteran to call it a day.

"The tight end will have the choice to do what he wants to do following this campaign," he added. Should the year ends prematurely for the Chiefs, the three-time Super Bowl veteran could decide to walk away.

Preview: Bills vs. Patriots Headlines the Upcoming Slate

Josh Allen put on a show once more for his team in a wintry victory. Allen passed for 3 scores and rushed for one more, responsible for a remarkable portion of his team's overall scores this year.

He is the first quarterback in NFL history with 3,000 passing yards, 20 TD throws and ten rushing touchdowns in three consecutive seasons.

Now, he tries to carry the team on his shoulders again as they aim to chase down their AFC East rivals, the Patriots—and, they are exactly who they face this coming Sunday.

Major Upcoming Week Games:

• Bills @ Patriots
• Lions @ Rams
• Green Bay Packers @ Denver Broncos
• Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs

This Week's Stats, Records & Notes

• A kick-off return for a 100-yard touchdown—the biggest play of the year—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one team.
• A prolific wide receiver caught two scores and remains on course for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
• A feared defensive end notched his 20th sack of the campaign, closing in of the single-season mark.
• An overseas placekicker played a key role for his squad in a surprise victory in rainy weather.
• A team that was held scoreless one week bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the following week.
• A struggling team saw its franchise QB come back from an elbow issue, only to leave the contest once more with a related injury.