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Each game counts from here on in, with several massive results in week 14 that could settle play-off positions come the conclusion of the campaign.

A 42-year veteran quarterback dealt a significant blow to the Baltimore Ravens' postseason aspirations, while Josh Allen all-but ended Joe Burrow's chances. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defence posed a significant challenge and may have finished the Kansas City Chiefs season sooner than ever before in the Patrick Mahomes tenure.

The Breakdown: Division Deciders Exceed the Anticipation

A trio of huge divisional battles did not disappoint.

Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, competing with a fractured wrist, guided his squad to a tough close success in Baltimore. He recorded his initial running score in nearly three years, but it was his long passes to his top wideout that made the deciding factor.

The Ravens' quarterback seemed out of sync as his team missed crucial chances—though they were angry by a fourth-quarter touchdown being overturned. The two teams will meet again on the final day of the regular season.

In another, the longest-running feud in the NFL saw a thrilling encounter. Even with scoring bombs, an exhausted defense had to thwart another late-game rally from the visiting rookie quarterback in the freezing weather.

The outcome handed one side a narrow advantage in their division, while the losers dropped from the conference's number one seed all the way to outside the playoff picture.

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

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

In his 7 full years as a starting quarterback, he has reached 7 conference championship games and five Super Bowls. This indicates the club has competed in almost each available game during his tenure.

So, the causes for this year's failure are apparent and were summed up during the recent loss. Absences decimated an already questionable O-line, with several key players out.

Even then, the quarterback provided his team a chance, however missed field goals and critical drops—such as on a pivotal fourth down play—confirmed their downfall.

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

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

One squad, atop their conference, won the last title held at February's stadium. They are built on a dominant defense that leads the NFL in quarterback takedowns and wins through methodical, time-consuming possessions.

The other team, atop the NFC, demonstrated an explosive offense capable of scoring from anywhere. They feature a two-headed ground attack to pair with an exceptional passing game.

The question could be whether the high-flying offense could handle the smothering pressure of the elite defensive unit—what would be a fascinating potential showdown.

Talking Point: Travis Kelce Considering Retirement?

Among the fallout from the Kansas City's loss, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his star teammate fueled rumors about a potential retirement.

Hearing him say, "each season... I try to appreciate because you never know" certainly sounded like he was bracing for the veteran to call it a day.

"He will have the option to do whatever he wants to do following this season," he added. If the season concludes prematurely for the Chiefs, the three-time champion veteran might choose to retire.

Preview: Buffalo vs. Patriots Headlines Week 15

Josh Allen did it all again for his team in a wintry victory. Allen passed for 3 scores and ran for another, accounting for a remarkable percentage of his team's total touchdowns this season.

Allen is the only player in league annals with 3,000 passing yards, twenty TD passes and ten running touchdowns in three straight seasons.

Now, he puts the Bills on his shoulders again as they try to chase down their AFC East foes, the New England Patriots—and, that's exactly who they play this coming Sunday.

Major Upcoming Week Matchups:

• Buffalo Bills @ Patriots
• Lions @ Los Angeles Rams
• Packers @ Broncos
• Los Angeles Chargers @ Chiefs

Week 14 Statistical Highlights

• A kickoff return for a 100-yard score—the longest scoring play of the season—sparked a scoring blitz for one team.
• A prolific wide receiver caught two scores and remains on course for a record-breaking 2,000-yard season.
• A dominant defensive end notched his twentieth sack of the campaign, moving within reach of the single-season record.
• An overseas placekicker helped his team in a upset victory in rainy weather.
• A team that was held scoreless one game bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the next.
• A struggling franchise watched its star quarterback return from an elbow issue, only to leave the contest once more with a similar injury.