In the top game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs, a failed trick play becomes the sticking point. Between Minnesota and the Las Vegas Raiders, it looks for a long time like the first 0-0 tie since 1943, but then the Vikings change quarterbacks. The recap of the NFL’s late Sunday games in Week 14

Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs 20:17

The Buffalo Bills (7-6) won 20-17 at the Kansas City Chiefs (8-5) in a thrilling battle of giants to put themselves in a good position for the playoff race and the season finale. The Chiefs’ chances of securing the top seed in the AFC, on the other hand, have diminished.

The crux of the game was a trick play with just under a minute to go. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed to tight end Travis Kelce, who threw another pass to receiver Kadarius Toney. Toney ran into the end zone and would have given the Chiefs the lead.

However, the receiver was one foot offside, so the touchdown was called back. Mahomes was extremely unhappy and upset after the game. The quarterback was ranting loudly, but it was not clear who his anger was directed at.

Watched by Kelce’s girlfriend Taylor Swift, Mahomes threw for 271 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. His counterpart Josh Allen (233 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception) posted similar stats.

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers 16:28

The San Francisco 49ers lived up to their role as favorites against the Seattle Seahawks and celebrated a commanding victory in the duel between the NFC West rivals. While the 49ers (10-3) remain a contender for the NFC’s top seed, the Seahawks’ (6-7) playoff hopes are diminishing.

Receiver Deebo Samuel stood out for the 49ers, scoring one receiving and one rushing touchdown. Samuel caught seven balls for 149 yards, while running back Christian McCaffrey dominated the running game with 145 rushing yards. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 368 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception.

For the Seahawks, Geno Smith stand-in Drew Lock had a solid performance with 269 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

Minnesota Vikings at Las Vegas Raiders 3-0

The gambling metropolis of Las Vegas is known for spectacle and glamor, but on Sunday the fans in the desert city in Nevada were treated to a rather tough and defensive football game. They punted again and again, with no points on the scoreboard until the final quarter.

A historic result was looming, the last time a game in the NFL had ended without points was in 1943. But the Vikings, whose Justin Jefferson injured his chest during his comeback and had to go to hospital, benched quarterback Joshua Dobbs in the final phase.

Nick Mullens took over and led the Vikings into field goal position. Kicker Greg Joseph converted from 36 yards to keep the score at zero. With the 3-0 win, the Vikings now have seven wins and six losses.

The Raiders (5-8) were at least able to celebrate Jakob Johnson, who was promoted from the practice squad to the Raiders’ active roster for the game. The German fullback was on the field for a few snaps and was mainly used as a pre-blocker

Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers 24:7

The Denver Broncos bounced back from last week’s loss to the Houston Texans with a commanding 24-7 victory at the Los Angeles Chargers. It was the sixth win in the last seven games for the Broncos and the Colorado franchise now have a 7-6 record and underpinned their claims to a play-off place.

Quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 224 passing yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. A highlight of the game was a one-handed touchdown catch by receiver Courtland Sutton, who now has ten touchdowns this season.

The playoff hopes of the Chargers (5-8), on the other hand, are barely alive, especially since the Los Angeles franchise lost Justin Herbert shortly before the end of the second quarter. The quarterback injured his right hand and did not return to the field.

He was replaced by backup Easton Stick (179 passing yards), under whom the Chargers were at least able to reduce the deficit to 7:17 in the meantime.