In Week 14, the AFC provided a reminder that perceptions and expectations in the NFL are pointless. The Steelers, an expected Super Bowl contender a month ago, played a 2-10 team and lost. The Chiefs, a team with a history of stepping on rakes, faced fourth and nine while trailing by a touchdown after the two-minute warning and won. The Patriots, who built a dynasty on playing sound and averting disaster, led by five points with seven seconds left and the ball on the other team’s 31-yard-line and lost.
That was just the start. The Texans, winners of nine in a row, lost at home to the Colts, who one week earlier managed zero points against the Jaguars.