Week 14 in the NFL served a steaming dish of playoff clarity, rookie revelations, and catastrophic collapses.
Seattle’s statement win over Atlanta wasn’t about offense, but about defense and special teams fireworks. Rookie sensation Nick Emmanwori looked like a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate, and Rashid Shaheed’s 100-yard return broke the Falcons’ will. Atlanta’s special teams unit might need a total reset.
In the AFC North, Pittsburgh flipped the script against Baltimore. Aaron Rodgers reminded everyone he’s still got it, launching deep bombs and running one in himself. Lamar Jackson looked reenergized but the Ravens continued to sputter in the red zone, with a key drop by Isaiah Likely sinking their shot.
Tennessee pulled off a minor miracle, rushing for 184 yards—more than they’ve had in many games combined. Tony Pollard finally lived up to his paycheck. On the other side, Cleveland’s Shedeur Sanders had a monster statistical game but made just enough mistakes to keep the Titans in it.
Jacksonville seized control of the AFC South, brushing aside a Colts team that lost QB Daniel Jones to an Achilles injury. Trevor Lawrence was efficient and Travis Etienne delivered in the red zone as the Jaguars continue their quiet push.
Minnesota pulled off a unique feat: shut out one week, then delivering a shutout the next. JJ McCarthy returned with poise and precision, while Jayden Daniels looked rusty and re-injured. The Commanders, like the Falcons, are already eliminated from playoff contention.
The Dolphins ran wild in New York, notching their fourth straight win while grounding the Jets. Jaylen Wright’s 107 rushing yards led a Miami team that looks increasingly like a spoiler candidate. For the Jets, rookie QB Brady Cook was thrust into chaos and couldn’t survive.
In Tampa, Saints rookie Tyler Shough’s legs made the difference. Two rushing touchdowns in the second half stunned the Bucs, who remain stuck in offensive mud under Baker Mayfield. The NFC South is now anyone’s to claim.
Buffalo’s comeback over Cincinnati might be the game of the week. Down 10 in the fourth, Josh Allen’s 40-yard sprint ignited a rally that included a Christian Benford pick-six. Burrow’s fourth-quarter implosion likely ended the Bengals’ season.
Denver methodically suffocated Las Vegas to move into the AFC’s top seed. Bo Nix played clean and the Broncos kept the ball for nearly 40 minutes. The Raiders’ defense couldn’t get off the field, and their season continues to spiral.
In a high-stakes NFC North battle, the Packers held off a furious Bears comeback with a last-minute red-zone interception. Caleb Williams was heroic in the second half, but Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs made the game-winning plays for Green Bay.
The Rams destroyed the Cardinals, moving to 10-3. Matthew Stafford was surgical, Puka Nacua was unstoppable, and the Rams’ backfield was nearly perfect. Arizona’s Michael Wilson was the lone standout on an otherwise dismal day.
And finally, the defending champion Chiefs may have just watched their dynasty flicker out. Houston took full advantage of Andy Reid’s gamble, and Kansas City’s offense was a comedy of drops and misfires. Patrick Mahomes had his worst statistical game ever. Meanwhile, the Texans have quietly become the hottest team in the AFC, winning five straight and boasting one of the league’s nastiest defenses.