6 reasons to get excited about the last month of the NFL's regular season

The last month of the regular season is upon us in the NFL, and while eyes are already being drawn toward January and playoff football, there's still a lot to get pumped about before then. Here are six of the best:

Aaron Rodgers' return, miracle run at wild-card spot

The Green Bay Packers have barely kept their heads above water without their franchise player, but Aaron Rodgers' return could be imminent. The star quarterback is reportedly on track to play in Week 15, potentially kick-starting a run at a wild-card spot.

The NFL world deserves to watch Rodgers tear through the last three weeks of the season (at Carolina Panthers, versus Minnesota Vikings, at Detroit Lions), reminding us all why he's the best player in football and lifting the Packers to another late-season miracle turnaround.

Josh Gordon being ridiculous again

The NFL has been without one of its few "unicorns" for nearly three years, but Gordon returned with a bang in Week 13, catching four passes for 85 yards on 11 targets against one of the league's top corners, Casey Hayward.

Few expected the wide receiver to look anywhere close to his old self after multiple suspensions for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. And while there was certainly rust, the Cleveland Browns wideout reminded us why he's one of the game's most fun players to watch.

This NFL season needs a feel-good story, and Gordon turning his life around is certainly that. He's also making the Browns watchable - a feat in and of itself.

A crazy Week 14 slate

Oh boy, does the NFL have a treat for you in Week 14. If you have any other plans other than watching football this week, cancel them.

First off, the Falcons play the Saints on Thursday night. If the thought of Julio Jones and Alvin Kamara trading ridiculous feats isn't enough (how is it not?!), Atlanta and New Orleans will be sporting one of the most aesthetically pleasing color-rush combinations ever.

Next up is a pivotal AFC West matchup between the 6-6 Oakland Raiders and the 6-6 Kansas City Chiefs and a mouth-watering NFC clash between the Panthers and the Vikings.

But it's not over yet - not even close! The late-afternoon slate boasts what could be a playoff preview between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams and an upstart Jacksonville Jaguars team that gets to test its mettle against the Seattle Seahawks.

And the cherry on top of this delicious football sundae is an old-school rivalry game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. The Monday nighter is the New England Patriots versus the Miami Dolphins, but hey, you can't have everything.

Race for the West

The AFC West has been a roller-coaster ride this season, and the excitement - and likely nausea for fans of the teams involved - is only just getting started.

Related: How the West will be won: Projecting the AFC's tightest division race

The Raiders, Chiefs, and Los Angeles Chargers all sit at 6-6 with four games left to play. And, thanks to the NFL pushing key divisional games toward the end of the campaign, all three teams play each other over the remaining month of the season.

With four of the NFL's divisions already decided, the AFC West should provide the top-notch drama and heartbreak that makes a great end to the regular season.

Potential 2nd final goodbye to Lynch

The NFL world has already said one goodbye to Marshawn Lynch, but his initial retirement was so low-key - he simply tweeted a picture of his cleats hanging from a telephone wire - that we didn't get the chance to say a proper farewell.

Lynch hasn't been dominant in his return, but Beast Mode reemerged in Week 13. He rushed for 101 yards on just 17 carries, including a 51-yard touchdown scamper.

If Oakland doesn't make the playoffs, this will likely be the last four games of Lynch's career - and knowing him, he won't go out quietly on the field. Strap in folks, a Beast Quake is coming.

3-way MVP competition

The race for MVP has been a two-man show ever since Alex Smith regressed back into, well, Alex Smith. That changed when Russell Wilson took it to the Eagles in prime time, outplaying leading candidate Carson Wentz.

Now, Wilson is a serious threat to steal the award from Wentz or Tom Brady.

This could end up being the most intense end to an MVP race in years. The quarterbacks have no margin for error, as all three are capable of raising their game to an even more impressive level.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)