The playoff hunt got even more confusing thanks to a series of upsets during Week 14. Jared Goff and the Los Angeles Rams became the most recent team to fall victim to Khalil Mack and the vaunted Chicago Bears defense. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts made the AFC South a lot more interesting with an upset over the Houston Texans, and the Denver Broncos' hot streak surprisingly ended by the Bay.

Here is a look at the highs and lows of Week 14 in the NFL:

Highs

Bears, Packers

3. Bear Down

The Chicago Bears entered their Sunday night showdown with the Los Angeles Rams with plenty of questions that needed answering. How would the Bears handle the Rams and all of their offensive superstars? Would Chicago's offense be alright with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky still recovering from a shoulder injury? How would the Bears handle the spotlight after their upset loss to the New York Giants in Week 13?

The Bears answered all of those questions resoundingly and left little doubt that their rebuild is not only ahead of schedule, but complete. Chicago found a way to beat the Rams 15-6, despite Trubisky's struggles.

Not only did they beat the Rams, but they exploited every known weakness on the Los Angeles roster. The Bears attacked the Rams' slower offensive line, sealed off the edges, and pressured Goff like we haven't seen since his rookie season.

Offensively, the Bears focused in on Los Angeles' questionable linebacker corps with their running game. The results put the Bears in the driver's seat to win the third seed in the NFC and possibly catch the Rams for second.

Andrew Luck

2. The Colts are back

It's been hard to watch the Indianapolis Colts search for an identity over the last couple of years after remaking their roster yet again. However, quarterback Andrew Luck's return to form and a maturing defense has helped the Colts emerge as a serious playoff contender.

Their upset of the Texans should put the rest of the AFC on notice that they won't be an easy out should they make the playoffs. Luck's performance this season has flown under the radar. Through 13 games, he has completed 67% of his passes for 3,759 yards, 34 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Moreover, his leadership has provided hope for a franchise that has floundered for years now. Welcome back, Andrew Luck.

Russell Wilson, Seahawks, VIkings

1. Seahawks peaking at right time

The Seattle Seahawks' surprise season continued with their impressive 21-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. It wasn't just their much improved running game that stood out, but a defense that bullied the Vikings throughout the game.

The “Legion of Boom” days are over, but the Seahawks are proving early season doubters wrong. Football writers from across the country went out of their way to question many of Seattle's offseason decisions, including the team's failure to invest in the leaky offensive line in the draft. Now those decisions are paying off.

The Seahawks are a dangerous team heading into the playoffs. They can beat anyone in the league, including the New Orleans Saints and the Rams.

Lows

Vance Joseph, Case Keenum, Broncos

3. Denver falters

I've been been high on the Denver Broncos ever since they gave the Rams a hard time a few weeks ago. Head coach Vance Joseph seemed to be turning this team around, and their performances had backed up that feeling. Instead, in what should have been a gimme game, the Broncos crashed and burned in 20-14 loss at the San Francisco 49ers.

The problem seems to be the limited passing game behind quarterback Case Keenum. Denver has a running game with Phillip Lindsay, but Emmanuel Sanders is out and the Broncos traded Demaryius Thomas away.

Who is there for Keenum at this point? The Broncos' defense will keep them in games, but the lack of offensive firepower will ensure this team misses the playoffs.

Mark Sanchez
Matt Rourke/AP

2. Release Mr. Butt-fumble

Several sports writers keep calling for the Washington Redskins to sign Colin Kaepernick. I have to think that he would have been better than Mark Sanchez. The one-time former first round has soundly proven that he's not a starting caliber quarterback. Even worse, it's clear that there's nothing left in the NFL for him. It's tough to watch someone fail to meet expectations. Sanchez has never been able to do it.

Perhaps it's time to give Kaepernick a shot. The Redskins have nothing to lose here. Let Sanchez go here and move on.

Patriots

1. What was that New England?

The New England Patriots had one job – just one. They needed to make one last tackle at the Miami Dolphins to clinch the AFC East crown. They blew it. Now, they sit at 9-4 after the 34-33 loss with the Dolphins lingering.

I know the Patriots should get the benefit of the doubt in most cases, but I'm pointing this out because there is something wrong with this team. The New England Patriots that I know would never have allowed a game-ending touchdown on a lateral like they did against the Dolphins.

The Patriots have been off all season. This mistake opened a small hole for the Dolphins to possibly catch the Patriots in the division. It's unlikely, but the opportunity is there, and it shouldn't be.