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Each game counts at this stage, with several huge conclusions in the fourteenth week that might decide play-off berths by the end of the year.

A 42-year Aaron Rodgers struck a major blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off aspirations, whereas the Buffalo Bills quarterback all-but finished Joe Burrow's hopes. At the same time, the Houston defence presented a huge challenge and may have concluded the Chiefs' season sooner than ever before in the Mahomes tenure.

Divisional Analysis: Divisional Showdowns Exceed the Anticipation

Three huge division clashes lived up to the hype.

Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, competing with a injured wrist, steered his squad to a tough close win in on the road. The future Hall of Famer recorded his first running touchdown in nearly three seasons, but it was his deep throws to his top wideout that proved to be the deciding factor.

The Ravens' quarterback seemed off rhythm as his team missed key chances—although they were frustrated by a fourth-quarter score being chalked off. The two franchises are scheduled to face off again on the last day of the season.

Elsewhere, the longest-running feud in the NFL saw a thrilling encounter. Even with scoring bombs, an exhausted defensive unit had to stop another late-game rally from the visiting young QB in the frigid weather.

This result handed one team a narrow advantage in their division, whereas the losers dropped from the conference's number one seed all the way to seventh.

Analysis: What Has Gone Awry for the Chiefs?

Projections assign the Chiefs only a fifteen percent probability of reaching the play-offs. Realistically, this will be the initial missed playoffs for star quarterback Mahomes—and the first for the organization in a ten years.

During Mahomes' seven complete seasons as a starting quarterback, he has reached 7 AFC Championship contests and five Super Bowls. This means the club has played almost every available contest during his time.

So, the causes for this year's failure are clear and were highlighted during Sunday's loss. Absences ravaged an already questionable offensive line, with multiple key players out.

Even then, Mahomes provided his squad a fighting chance, however failed field goals and critical drops—such as on a key fourth-down attempt—sealed their downfall.

In Focus: Is the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the West?

A pair of powerhouse teams from the West Coast conferences are making compelling arguments for championship favorites.

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

The second contender, leading the NFC, demonstrated an explosive offence capable of putting points on the board from any situation. They feature a two-headed running attack to pair with an elite passing game.

The question could be if the potent offence could handle the smothering pressure of the top defensive unit—a a must-watch playoff matchup.

Discussion: Travis Kelce Considering Calling It Quits?

Amid the fallout from the Kansas City's loss, comments from Patrick Mahomes about his star tight end sparked rumors about a potential retirement.

Listening to Mahomes say, "every season... I try to cherish 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 what he wants to do following this campaign," Mahomes continued. Should the year concludes prematurely for the Chiefs, the three-time Super Bowl veteran might decide to walk away.

Preview: Bills vs. New England Headlines Week 15

The Bills' quarterback put on a show once more for his team in a wintry victory. Allen threw three touchdowns and rushed for one more, responsible for a remarkable percentage of his offense's overall touchdowns this year.

Allen is the only quarterback in NFL annals with 3,000 pass yards, twenty TD passes and 10 running touchdowns in 3 straight campaigns.

Now, he puts the team on his shoulders again as they aim to catch their division foes, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, that's exactly who they face next.

Major Week 15 Games:

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

This Week's Stats, Records & Notes

• A kickoff return for a 100-yard score—the longest scoring play of the season—kick-started a second-half onslaught for one offense.
• A star receiver caught two touchdowns and is still on course for a historic 2,000-yard season.
• A feared pass rusher notched his 20th QB sack of the campaign, moving within reach of the all-time record.
• An overseas kicker helped his squad in a upset win in rainy weather.
• A team that was shutout one game responded with a clean sheet of its own the next.
• A reeling franchise watched its franchise QB return from injury, only to leave the game once more with a related injury.