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Every contest is crucial down the stretch, with some huge results in week 14 that could decide postseason positions come the conclusion of the campaign.

A 42-year veteran quarterback dealt a big setback to the Baltimore Ravens' postseason hopes, while Josh Allen all-but ended Joe Burrow's chances. Meanwhile, the Houston defence presented a massive problem and may have ended the Chiefs' campaign earlier than ever before in the Mahomes era.

The Breakdown: Division Deciders Live Up To the Expectations

A trio of critical division clashes lived up to the hype.

Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, playing with a fractured wrist, led his team to a tough 27-22 win in on the road. He recorded his first running score in nearly three seasons, but it was his deep passes to his top receiver that proved to be the difference.

Lamar Jackson was off rhythm as Baltimore failed to capitalize on crucial chances—though they were left fuming by a fourth-quarter touchdown being overturned. The two teams are scheduled to face off again on the last weekend of the season.

In another, the longest-running feud in the NFL witnessed a classic contest. Despite scoring bombs, an exhausted defense had to stop another fourth-quarter comeback from the opposing young quarterback in the frigid conditions.

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

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

Projections assign the Kansas City only a fifteen percent chance of reaching the play-offs. Realistically, this will be the first missed post-season for franchise QB Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a ten years.

In Mahomes' 7 full years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to seven conference championship games and 5 championship games. That indicates the team has played nearly every possible contest throughout his time.

Therefore, the reasons for this year's failure are apparent and were summed up during the recent defeat. Injuries decimated an already dodgy O-line, with several starters out.

Even then, the quarterback provided his team a fighting chance, however failed field goals and crucial drops—including on a decisive fourth down play—sealed their downfall.

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

A pair of powerhouse contenders from the West Coast conferences are making compelling arguments for Super Bowl favorites.

One squad, atop their conference, claimed the most recent title held at February's venue. They are constructed on a dominant defence that leads the league in quarterback takedowns and victories through grinding, long drives.

The second team, atop the other conference, demonstrated an explosive offense capable of putting points on the board from anywhere. They boast a formidable ground game to complement an elite passing game.

The question would be if the high-flying offence could withstand the smothering pass rush of the top defensive unit—a a fascinating playoff showdown.

Talking Point: A Star Tight End Considering Retirement?

Amid the aftermath from the Chiefs' loss, comments from Patrick Mahomes about his longtime teammate sparked rumors about a potential retirement.

Hearing him state, "each season... I try to appreciate because 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 after this campaign," Mahomes continued. Should the year ends early for the team, the 3x champion veteran could choose to walk away.

Preview: Bills vs. New England Highlights the Upcoming Slate

Josh Allen did it all once more for Buffalo in a wintry win. Allen passed for 3 touchdowns and rushed for one more, responsible for a remarkable portion of his offense's overall touchdowns this year.

Allen is the first quarterback in NFL history with three thousand passing yards, twenty touchdown throws and ten rushing touchdowns in 3 straight campaigns.

Now, he puts the Bills on his shoulders again as they try to catch their division rivals, the Patriots—coincidentally, that's precisely who they face this coming Sunday.

Key Week 15 Matchups:

• Bills @ Patriots
• Detroit Lions @ Rams
• Packers @ Broncos
• Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs

This Week's Statistical Highlights

• A kickoff return for a 100-yard score—the biggest scoring play of the year—sparked a scoring blitz for one team.
• A prolific wide receiver caught 2 touchdowns and is still on course for a historic 2,000-yard receiving.
• A feared defensive end recorded his 20th QB sack of the season, closing in of the all-time record.
• An international placekicker helped his squad in a surprise win in soggy weather.
• A offense that was shutout one game responded with a clean sheet of its own the next.
• A reeling team saw its franchise quarterback return from injury, only to exit the contest once more with a similar injury.