Rodgers Keeps Postseason Aspirations Afloat, Yet Could This Be The Conclusion for the Chiefs? Key Moments from National Football League Week 14

Every matchup counts from here on in, with several massive results in week 14 that may settle play-off spots come the end of the season.

A 42-year Aaron Rodgers struck a major setback to Lamar Jackson's play-off aspirations, while Josh Allen all-but ended Joe Burrow's chances. Meanwhile, the Houston defence posed a significant challenge and could have finished the Kansas City Chiefs campaign earlier than ever before in the Mahomes era.

Divisional Analysis: Divisional Deciders Exceed the Anticipation

Three critical divisional battles lived up to the hype.

Veteran signal-caller Aaron Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, led his team to a hard-fought 27-22 win in on the road. The future Hall of Famer scored his initial running touchdown in almost three years, but it was his deep throws to his top receiver that proved to be the difference.

Lamar Jackson seemed out of sync as his team failed to capitalize on crucial opportunities—although they were left fuming by a fourth-quarter score being nullified. The two franchises will meet again on the final day of the season.

In another, the longest-running rivalry in the league witnessed a thrilling contest. Despite touchdown deep passes, an exhausted defense had to halt another late-game comeback from the visiting rookie quarterback in the frigid conditions.

This outcome handed one team a narrow lead in their NFC North, while the losers plummeted from the NFC's number one seed down to outside the playoff picture.

In-Depth Look: What Has Gone Wrong for the Kansas City Chiefs?

Projections assign the Kansas City only a 15% chance of reaching the postseason. Realistically, this could be the initial missed playoffs for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a ten years.

In Mahomes' seven full seasons as a starting quarterback, he has reached seven conference championship contests and five Super Bowls. This means the team has played almost each available game during his tenure.

So, the causes for this year's struggles are evident and were highlighted during the recent loss. Injuries ravaged an already struggling O-line, with several starters out.

Even then, the quarterback gave his team a fighting chance, however failed field goals and critical dropped passes—including on a decisive fourth-down play—confirmed their fate.

Spotlight: Is the Super Bowl Be Heading for the West?

A pair of top teams from the western divisions are building compelling cases for championship favorites.

One team, leading their conference, claimed the most recent title held at this year's stadium. They are constructed on a dominant defence that tops the league in quarterback takedowns and victories through grinding, long drives.

The second contender, atop the other conference, demonstrated an high-powered offence capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They boast a formidable ground attack to complement an elite passing game.

The question could be whether the potent offense could handle the smothering pass rush of the elite defense—a a must-watch potential showdown.

Talking Point: A Star Tight End Considering Retirement?

Among the aftermath from the Chiefs' loss, comments from the quarterback about his star tight end fueled rumors about a possible retirement.

Listening to him say, "each season... I try to cherish because you never know" certainly sounded like the QB was preparing for the 36-year-old to hang up his cleats.

"The tight end will have the choice to do what he wants to do after this campaign," he added. Should the season ends prematurely for the Chiefs, the three-time champion veteran might decide to walk away.

Preview: Bills vs. Patriots Highlights Week 15

The Bills' quarterback did it all again for Buffalo in a wintry victory. Allen passed for three scores and rushed for one more, responsible for a staggering portion of his offense's overall touchdowns this season.

Allen is the only player in NFL annals with 3,000 passing yards, 20 TD passes and 10 running touchdowns in three straight seasons.

Next, he tries to carry the Bills on his back once more as they aim to catch their division rivals, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, they are exactly who they face this coming Sunday.

Major Week 15 Games:

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

Week 14 Statistical Highlights

• 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 scored two scores and remains on course for a record-breaking 2,000-yard receiving.
• A feared defensive end notched his twentieth sack of the campaign, moving within reach of the single-season record.
• An international kicker helped his squad in a upset win in soggy weather.
• A team that was held scoreless one game responded with a clean sheet of its own the following week.
• A reeling franchise watched its star quarterback come back from an elbow issue, only to exit the contest once more with a similar ailment.