Biggest Stories and Best Highlights from NFL Week 14

Sunday's early NFL action was highlighted by a thrilling overtime win for the Green Bay Packers, blizzard conditions in Buffalo and a classic shootout between division leaders in Los Angeles.

The highlight-filled week isn't over yet, as the Sunday night game between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers and the Monday night showdown between the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins also have significant implications on the AFC postseason picture.

Here are all the best highlights and biggest storylines from around the league in Week 14.

Week 14 NFL Playoff Picture

Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Because the Buffalo Bills beat the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, the 10-2 New England Patriots will have to win their Monday night matchup against the Miami Dolphins to win the AFC East.

The AFC's other 10-2 team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, can also win its division by defeating (or tying) the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football.

In the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles could have clinched the NFC East as early as Week 13, but a loss to the Seattle Seahawks eliminated that possibility. They bounced back on Sunday, however, knocking off the Los Angeles Rams and clinching the division crown.

The Minnesota Vikings could have claimed the NFC North if they had defeated or tied the Carolina Panthers, but they fell to 10-3 with a 31-24 loss.

The Vikings' loss, coupled with the Eagles' win, also bumped Philadelphia back into the No. 1 seed in the NFC. In the AFC, the Steelers are clinging to the No. 1 seed heading into their Sunday night showdown against the Ravens.

If Pittsburgh loses, it would open the door for New England to take control of the top spot with a win on Monday night. 

Division Leaders Square Off in NFC Showdown

One of the best matchups of the day took place in Los Angeles between two division leaders, as MVP candidate Carson Wentz led the Eagles against the Rams.

While both teams appear to be headed to the playoffs regardless of the outcome, this matchup had major implications in the race to earn a first-round bye in the NFC. The Eagles entered the matchup a half-game up on the Minnesota Vikings for the conference's No. 1 seed after Minnesota's loss to Carolina earlier in the day, but the Rams were right on their heels at No. 3.

Philadelphia pulled ahead early on the strength of three first-half touchdown passes from Wentz, including this one to tight end Trey Burton which put the QB in the Eagles record books:

In the second half, however, the game took a devastating turn when the Eagles starting quarterback was knocked out of the contest:

The injury appeared to occur as Wentz dove near the goal line in an attempt to score. Backup quarterback Nick Foles entered the game after the injury. 

Despite losing Wentz and trailing early in the fourth quarter, the Eagles rallied to a 43-35 victory.

AFC South Shakeup

The Jaguars haven't won a division title since Mark Brunell quarterbacked them to a 14-2 record and the No. 1 seed in the AFC back in 1999. But all those years of misery could finally be in the past, as the Jaguars took over sole possession of the AFC South lead Sunday afternoon.

Jacksonville entered the day tied atop the division with the Tennessee Titans, but received an early holiday present from the Cardinals, who knocked off Tennessee in a sloppy 12-7 game in Arizona.

Then, in a surprisingly high-scoring game, Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles tossed two touchdowns while leading his squad to a 30-24 victory over Russell Wilson and the Seahawks.

The Jaguars now control their own destiny in the AFC South with just three games remaining, including a showdown with the Titans in the season finale on New Year's Eve.

Plays of the Day

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen may have punched his ticket to the Pro Bowl with this 56-yard touchdown to keep the Vikings in their game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday:

Wide receiver Davante Adams saved the Green Bay Packers' season with this walk-off touchdown in overtime against the Cleveland Browns:

Jonathan Stewart got the Panthers on the board early when he motored for this 60-yard touchdown:

The run was more than twice as long as any the Vikings defense had allowed this season, per ESPN Stats & Info.

The Los Angeles Chargers have won three straight games, and Philip Rivers and Tyrell Williams kept them rolling as they connected on this 75-yard touchdown pass:

The score gave the Chargers an early 20-6 lead over the Washington Redskins.

The Jaguars have been winning with a strong running game and a dominant defense this season, but Blake Bortles broke a 10-10 tie midway through the third quarter with one of his best throws of the year on this 75-yard touchdown strike to rookie Keelan Cole: 

The score helped put the Jaguars up 17-10 over the Seahawks. 

Notable Individual Performances

In what was perhaps the best offensive performance in the early block of games Sunday, Houston Texans wideout DeAndre Hopkins caught 11 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns.

Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Brett Hundley led his team to a 27-21 win in overtime against the Cleveland Browns, throwing for 265 yards and three touchdowns.

Running back Rod Smith was instrumental in the Dallas Cowboys' 30-10 beatdown of the division-rival New York Giants. Smith had a rushing and a receiving touchdown—and the latter went 81 yards to the house.

Despite his recent struggles, Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott came roaring back, throwing for three touchdowns and 332 yards to help the Cowboys improve to 7-6.

Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Kareem Hunt finally bounced back with a big game against the Oakland Raiders, rushing for 116 yards and a touchdown. Hunt, who picked up over 100 yards in four of his first five career games, had been ice cold lately and hadn't reached the 100-yard mark since October 8.

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart found the end zone three times in his team's win over the the Minnesota Vikings, putting up most of the Panthers' 31 points himself.

Speaking of the Panthers, some eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed quarterback Cam Newton's cleats, which featured the opposing team's color: purple. That's because Newton was honoring the late, great Prince with his custom ruffled footwear:

Newton passed for 137 yards and a touchdown in the win.

Josh Gordon Scores 1st TD Since 2014

The Cleveland Browns tied their matchup with the Green Bay Packers 7-7 in the first quarter with the help of a quick-strike 18-yard touchdown connection between quarterback DeShone Kizer and wideout Josh Gordon:

It was Gordon's first touchdown since the 2014 season—the last time he played a snap in the NFL before making his return Dec. 3.

Gordon had been suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy on multiple occasions. He was due to return in 2016 but checked himself into rehab prior to the start of the regular season.

Gordon was conditionally reinstated by Commissioner Roger Goodell on Nov. 1. Through two games, the wideout has reminded the league of his eye-popping talent. He could be one of the key pieces around whom the Browns will build in 2018 and beyond.

Unfortunately, Gordon's effort wasn't enough for the Browns to pick up their first win of 2017. The Packers closed out the game with 20 unanswered points to take down the Browns 27-21 in overtime.

Injury Report

Viewers were surprised when Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage re-entered the game after suffering a hit to the head against the San Francisco 49ers. Savage's hands were shaking as he lay on the ground after the hit.

The Texans later removed Savage for further evaluation, and the team announced he would not return, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The Buffalo Bills' Tyrod Taylor was out with a knee injury Sunday, so backup Nathan Peterman started. However, Peterman left the game after a hard hit, and third-stringer Joe Webb entered in his place, per the team.

Colts and Bills Play Through Whiteout

When the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills took the field at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York, on Sunday, this was what it looked like:

The game went on as planned, but the snow was the biggest factor. As ESPN.com's Mike Rodak pointed out, the Colts didn't even attempt a pass until their 18th play of the game—more than halfway through the second quarter.

Buffalo went up 7-0 ahead of halftime thanks to an eight-yard Kelvin Benjamin touchdown catch...but the Bills had a leg up on the Colts in the whiteout conditions.

Buffalo wore all-red uniforms.

Indianapolis was in all white.

Browns Shake Things Up

The Cleveland Browns made history Sunday, but this is a record they don't want to own.

The Browns dropped their 13th straight game of the season against the Green Bay Packers, becoming the only team in NFL history to start two consecutive seasons 0-13.

Yikes.

Cleveland made some changes last week to try to turn around its fortunes, firing vice president of football operations Sashi Brown on Thursday, as ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.

Head coach Hue Jackson remained in place, though he might be just as responsible for the Browns' 1-28 record since the start of 2016.

Cleveland hired general manager John Dorsey on Thursday, as NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported.

Dorsey will inherit abundant cap space, as well as five picks in the first two rounds of the draft. That will make his job a little easier next season...but for now, it would help for the Browns to get a win.

Still to Come

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football.

At 10-2, the Steelers are hoping to keep pace with the New England Patriots and contend for a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the playoffs.

The 7-5 Ravens, in second place in the AFC North, are the No. 6 seed in the AFC. However, the 6-6 Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders are nipping at their heels.

Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers are dangerous at home. But Baltimore could solidify its playoff standing if it pulls out a win against its division opponent Sunday night.