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Every game is crucial down the stretch, with several massive results in the fourteenth week that may decide postseason berths by the conclusion of the year.

A 42-year Aaron Rodgers landed a big blow to the Baltimore Ravens' postseason aspirations, while the Buffalo Bills quarterback virtually finished Joe Burrow's chances. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defence posed a massive challenge and could have finished the Kansas City Chiefs season earlier than ever before in the Patrick Mahomes era.

The Breakdown: Divisional Deciders Exceed the Anticipation

A trio of critical divisional battles lived up to the hype.

Seasoned quarterback Rodgers, playing with a fractured wrist, guided his squad to a hard-fought 27-22 victory in Baltimore. He recorded his first running touchdown in almost three seasons, but it was his deep throws to his top receiver that proved to be the deciding factor.

Lamar Jackson was off rhythm as Baltimore failed to capitalize on crucial opportunities—though they were left fuming by a fourth-quarter score being nullified. These franchises will meet again on the final day of the regular season.

In another, the longest-running feud in the league witnessed a thrilling encounter. Even with touchdown deep passes, an exhausted defense had to stop another late-game comeback from the visiting rookie quarterback in the freezing conditions.

This result handed one side a slender lead in their division, while the losers dropped from the NFC's number one seed all the way to outside the playoff picture.

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

Statistical models assign the Chiefs only a 15% probability of reaching the play-offs. In all likelihood, this could be the initial missed playoffs for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first such for the organization in a ten years.

During Mahomes' seven full years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to 7 conference championship contests and five championship games. That indicates the club has played nearly each available game throughout his time.

Therefore, the reasons for this year's failure are apparent and were encapsulated during the recent loss. 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 critical drops—such as on a key fourth down attempt—sealed their fate.

Spotlight: Is the Lombardi Trophy Be Heading for the West?

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

One squad, atop their conference, won the last title played at February's venue. They are constructed on a stifling defence that leads the league in quarterback takedowns and victories through grinding, time-consuming drives.

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

A key matchup could be whether the high-flying offence can solve the smothering pass rush of the elite defense—a a must-watch playoff showdown.

Talking Point: A Star Tight End Considering Retirement?

Among the fallout from the Kansas City's loss, remarks from the quarterback about his longtime teammate fueled talk about a possible departure.

Listening to Mahomes say, "each 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.

"The tight end will have the option to do whatever he chooses to do following this campaign," Mahomes added. Should the year ends early for the team, the three-time Super Bowl winner might decide to walk away.

Preview: Buffalo vs. New England Headlines Week 15

The Bills' quarterback put on a show again for Buffalo in a wintry victory. He threw three touchdowns and rushed for another, responsible for a staggering percentage of his offense's overall scores this year.

He is the only quarterback in NFL annals with 3,000 passing yards, twenty touchdown throws and ten rushing scores in 3 consecutive seasons.

Now, he tries to carry the Bills on his shoulders once more as they try to chase down their AFC East rivals, the New England Patriots—coincidentally, they are exactly who they play this coming Sunday.

Key Upcoming Week Matchups:

• Bills @ Patriots
• Detroit Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
• Green Bay Packers @ Broncos
• Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs

This Week's Stats, Records & Notes

• A kick-off return for a 100-yard score—the longest scoring play of the season—kick-started a scoring blitz for one offense.
• A prolific receiver scored two scores and remains on course for a historic 2,000-yard season.
• A feared defensive end notched his twentieth sack of the season, closing in of the all-time mark.
• An overseas kicker helped his team in a upset win in soggy conditions.
• A offense that was shutout one game bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the following week.
• A struggling franchise saw its franchise quarterback come back from an elbow issue, only to leave the game once more with a similar injury.