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Each game counts down the stretch, with a number of huge conclusions in week 14 that might determine postseason berths by the conclusion of the campaign.

A 42-year Aaron Rodgers landed a major blow to Lamar Jackson's play-off aspirations, whereas Josh Allen virtually terminated the Cincinnati Bengals' chances. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans defense posed a massive problem and may have concluded the Kansas City Chiefs campaign earlier than ever before in the Mahomes tenure.

The Breakdown: Division Deciders Live Up To the Expectations

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

Veteran signal-caller Rodgers, playing with a injured wrist, led his squad to a hard-fought close win in Baltimore. The future Hall of Famer recorded his initial running touchdown in nearly three years, but it was his deep passes to his top receiver that proved to be the deciding factor.

The Ravens' quarterback was out of sync as Baltimore failed to capitalize on crucial opportunities—though they were frustrated by a late score being chalked off. These franchises will meet again on the last day of the regular season.

In another, the longest-running feud in the league saw a epic encounter. Even with touchdown bombs, an exhausted defensive unit had to halt another fourth-quarter comeback from the visiting young QB in the frigid conditions.

This outcome handed one team a narrow lead in their division, whereas the losers fell from the NFC's top spot all the way to outside the playoff picture.

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

Statistical models assign the Kansas City only a 15% chance of making the play-offs. In all likelihood, this will be the first missed post-season for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes—and the first for the organization in a decade.

In his seven full years as a starting quarterback, he has advanced to 7 conference championship contests and 5 Super Bowls. That means the club has competed in nearly every possible game throughout his time.

So, the causes for this year's struggles are clear and were summed up during the recent loss. Injuries ravaged an already questionable O-line, with multiple key players out.

Even then, the quarterback gave his team a fighting chance, however missed kicks and costly drops—such as on a decisive fourth down attempt—confirmed their fate.

In Focus: Could the Super Bowl Be Heading for the Western US?

A pair of top contenders from the West Coast conferences are making strong cases for Super Bowl contention.

One team, atop their the AFC, won the most recent title played at February's venue. They are built on a stifling defence that leads the NFL in sacks and victories through grinding, long possessions.

The second contender, leading the other conference, demonstrated an dynamic offence capable of scoring from anywhere. They feature a two-headed running game to complement an exceptional aerial game.

A key matchup would be whether the high-flying offense can handle the relentless pressure of the top defense—a a must-watch potential matchup.

Discussion: A Star Tight End Considering Calling It Quits?

Amid the fallout from the Chiefs' loss, remarks from Patrick Mahomes about his star teammate fueled speculation about a possible retirement.

Listening to him say, "each season... I try to appreciate since you never know" definitely seemed like he was preparing for the 36-year-old to call it a day.

"He will have the choice to do what he chooses to do following this campaign," Mahomes added. Should the year ends prematurely for the team, the three-time champion winner could decide to retire.

Preview: Buffalo vs. Patriots Headlines the Upcoming Slate

The Bills' quarterback did it all again for Buffalo in a wintry win. Allen passed for three scores and ran for one more, accounting for a staggering portion of his offense's total touchdowns this year.

Allen is the first player in NFL history with 3,000 pass yards, twenty touchdown throws and 10 running touchdowns in 3 straight campaigns.

Now, he tries to carry the team on his back again as they aim to catch their AFC East foes, the New England Patriots—and, they are precisely who they face next.

Major Week 15 Games:

• Bills @ Patriots
• Lions @ Rams
• Packers @ Denver Broncos
• Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs

This Week's Statistical Highlights

• A kickoff return for a 100-yard touchdown—the biggest scoring play of the year—sparked a second-half onslaught for one offense.
• A star wide receiver scored 2 touchdowns and is still tracking for a record-breaking 2,000-yard season.
• A feared defensive end recorded his twentieth sack of the season, closing in of the all-time record.
• An international kicker helped his team in a upset win in soggy weather.
• A team that was held scoreless one game bounced back with a clean sheet of its own the next.
• A reeling team saw its star quarterback return from injury, only to exit the contest once more with a related injury.