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Every contest matters down the stretch, with a number of enormous outcomes in the fourteenth week that might settle play-off positions by the conclusion of the campaign.

A 42-year-old veteran quarterback landed a big blow to the Baltimore Ravens' play-off hopes, while the Buffalo Bills quarterback virtually ended Joe Burrow's hopes. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defence presented a huge challenge and may have ended the Kansas City Chiefs season sooner than ever in the Patrick Mahomes era.

Divisional Analysis: Division Showdowns Live Up To the Anticipation

Three huge rivalry games did not disappoint.

Veteran quarterback Rodgers, playing with a fractured wrist, steered his squad to a hard-fought 27-22 win in on the road. He recorded his first running touchdown in nearly three years, but it was his long throws to his star wideout that proved to be the deciding factor.

The Ravens' quarterback was out of sync as his team missed key opportunities—although they were left fuming by a fourth-quarter score being overturned. The two teams are scheduled to face off again on the last weekend of the regular season.

Elsewhere, the oldest rivalry in the league witnessed a classic encounter. Despite touchdown deep passes, an exhausted defensive unit had to thwart another fourth-quarter comeback from the opposing young quarterback in the frigid conditions.

This result handed one side a slender lead in their NFC North, while the losers fell from the conference's number one seed all the way to seventh.

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

Statistical models assign the Chiefs only a fifteen percent chance of making the play-offs. In all likelihood, this could be the first missed playoffs for franchise QB Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the franchise in a ten years.

In Mahomes' seven full years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to 7 AFC Championship contests and five championship games. This means the team has played almost each available game throughout his tenure.

So, the reasons for this year's struggles are evident and were summed up during Sunday's loss. Injuries ravaged an already struggling O-line, with multiple starters out.

Despite that, the quarterback gave his team a fighting chance, but missed field goals and costly dropped passes—such as on a decisive fourth-down attempt—confirmed their downfall.

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

A pair of powerhouse contenders from the West Coast conferences are building strong arguments for Super Bowl contention.

One squad, leading their conference, claimed the last title played at this year's venue. They are constructed on a stifling defence that leads the league in sacks and victories through grinding, long drives.

The other contender, atop the NFC, demonstrated an high-powered offence capable of scoring from any situation. They feature a formidable running game to pair with an elite aerial attack.

A key matchup could be if the high-flying offense can solve the smothering pressure of the elite defensive unit—what would be a fascinating potential showdown.

Talking Point: Travis Kelce Considering Retirement?

Amid the aftermath from the Kansas City's defeat, comments from the quarterback about his star tight end fueled speculation about a potential retirement.

Listening to him say, "every year... I try to cherish since you never know" definitely seemed like he was preparing for the 36-year-old to hang up his cleats.

"He will have the option to do what he chooses to do following this campaign," he continued. If the year ends prematurely for the Chiefs, the three-time champion winner might decide to walk away.

Looking Ahead: Buffalo vs. New England Headlines Week 15

The Bills' quarterback put on a show again for Buffalo in a snowy win. Allen passed for three touchdowns and ran for one more, responsible for a staggering percentage of his team's total scores this season.

Allen is the first quarterback in league annals with three thousand pass yards, twenty touchdown passes and 10 rushing scores in three straight seasons.

Next, he tries to carry the Bills on his back once more as they aim to chase down their AFC East rivals, the Patriots—coincidentally, that's precisely who they play this coming Sunday.

Key Upcoming Week Games:

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

This Week's Stats, Records & Notes

• A kick-off runback for a 100-yard score—the longest scoring play of the year—sparked a second-half onslaught for one offense.
• A star wide receiver scored 2 scores and is still tracking for a historic 2,000-yard season.
• A feared defensive end recorded his 20th sack of the season, closing in of the all-time mark.
• An overseas placekicker helped his team in a surprise win in soggy weather.
• A team that was shutout one game responded with a clean sheet of its own the next.
• A struggling franchise watched its franchise quarterback come back from injury, only to exit the game again with a similar injury.