Author: Nate Davis, USA TODAY

New England’s seven-game winning streak came to an end, as did its stay among the league’s elite in this week’s rundown.

Certainty is in short supply in the final stretch of the NFL season, with postponed games and surprising results throwing things for a loop.

Arizona’s Christmas loss vaults LA into first place, while Dallas sews up spot thanks to 49ers’ loss.

Week 14 in the NFL was defined by a number of hotly contested matchups, as well as several that quickly got out of hand.

With four weeks left in the NFL regular season, the playoff field remains wide open – though that should change in short order.

The top five teams in our power poll remain unchanged, but Bolts and Washington are closing in on top 10 while solidifying playoff positions.

Everything is still up for grabs in both the AFC and NFC, as no team has solidified a spot in the NFL postseason so far.

Surging New England and Buffalo meet Monday night in the first of two December meetings. This week’s winner will claim the divisional lead.

The league did not specifically reveal how the players, who were represented by the NFL Players Association, circumvented the protocols.