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Each contest is crucial down the stretch, with some enormous conclusions in week 14 that could determine postseason positions by the end of the season.

A 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers landed a significant blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off hopes, whereas Josh Allen virtually ended Joe Burrow's hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defense posed a massive challenge and may have ended the Kansas City Chiefs campaign earlier than ever before in the Mahomes tenure.

The Breakdown: Divisional Showdowns Live Up To the Hype

A trio of huge rivalry games did not disappoint.

Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, competing with a injured wrist, steered his team to a tough 27-22 victory in Baltimore. He scored his first running score in nearly three years, however it was his long passes to his top receiver that proved to be the deciding factor.

The Ravens' quarterback was out of kilter as Baltimore failed to capitalize on key chances—although they were frustrated by a fourth-quarter score being nullified. The two teams will meet once more on the final weekend of the regular season.

In another, the oldest rivalry in the league saw a epic encounter. Despite touchdown bombs, an exhausted defense had to stop another late-game rally from the opposing young quarterback in the frigid weather.

This result gave one side a narrow lead in their division, while the defeated team fell from the NFC's number one seed all the way to outside the playoff picture.

Analysis: Where Has It Gone Awry for the Chiefs?

Statistical models give the Chiefs only a 15% chance of making the postseason. Realistically, this could be the first missed post-season for franchise QB Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the franchise in a ten years.

During Mahomes' seven full years as a starter, he has reached seven AFC Championship games and 5 Super Bowls. This indicates the club has played nearly each possible game during his tenure.

Therefore, the causes for this year's failure are evident and were encapsulated during the recent loss. Injuries decimated an already dodgy O-line, with several key players out.

Despite that, the quarterback provided his team a fighting chance, however failed field goals and costly drops—such as on a pivotal fourth down play—sealed their fate.

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

A pair of powerhouse contenders from the West Coast conferences are building strong cases for championship favorites.

One team, atop their conference, claimed the most recent title played at February's venue. They are built on a dominant defense that tops the NFL in sacks and wins through methodical, time-consuming possessions.

The second contender, atop the other conference, demonstrated an high-powered offence capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They feature a two-headed ground game to pair with an elite aerial attack.

The question could be whether the high-flying offence can solve the relentless pass rush of the top defense—what would be a fascinating potential showdown.

Discussion: Travis Kelce Considering Retirement?

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

Hearing Mahomes state, "each season... I try to appreciate since you never know" definitely seemed like the QB was preparing for the veteran to hang up his cleats.

"The tight end will have the option to do whatever he chooses to do following this campaign," Mahomes continued. If the season ends prematurely for the team, the three-time champion veteran might decide to retire.

Preview: Buffalo vs. New England Headlines Week 15

Josh Allen did it all again for his team in a snowy win. Allen threw 3 touchdowns and ran for one more, responsible for a staggering portion of his offense's overall touchdowns this year.

Allen is the only player in NFL history with 3,000 passing yards, twenty touchdown passes and ten running touchdowns in three straight campaigns.

Next, he puts the team on his shoulders again as they try to catch their AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, that's exactly who they play this coming Sunday.

Major Upcoming Week Matchups:

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

Week 14 Statistical Highlights

• A kick-off runback for a 100-yard score—the longest play of the season—kick-started a scoring blitz for one team.
• A prolific wide receiver caught two scores and remains tracking for a record-breaking 2,000-yard receiving.
• A feared pass rusher recorded his twentieth sack of the season, moving within reach of the single-season record.
• An overseas placekicker played a key role for his squad in a upset victory in rainy weather.
• A team that was held scoreless one week bounced back with a shutout of its own the next.
• A reeling team watched its franchise QB come back from injury, only to leave the game again with a similar injury.