KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs saw their playoff aspirations come to an abrupt end on December 14, 2025, as the Los Angeles Chargers secured a 16-13 victory, effectively eliminating the Chiefs from postseason contention. The game concluded with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes being helped off the field after suffering an injury.
In a dramatic turn of events, Mahomes was injured while attempting to throw the ball away, being brought down by Chargers defensive lineman Da”Shawn Hand. The Chiefs later confirmed that an MRI revealed Mahomes had sustained a torn ACL in his left knee, and the team is currently considering surgical options.
Despite Mahomes” injury, backup quarterback Gardner Minshew took the reins and initially sparked hope among Chiefs fans. He completed three consecutive passes, giving Kansas City a fighting chance as the game neared its conclusion. However, in a crucial moment with just 20 seconds left, Minshew”s pass intended for tight end Travis Kelce was intercepted by Derwin James, sealing the victory for the Chargers.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert played through a broken left hand and led a second-half resurgence, allowing Los Angeles to clinch their second consecutive ten-win season. “It”s a ball team. This is a ball team,” said Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, expressing pride in his squad. “I”ve been on a lot of teams, none better than this team.” James echoed the sentiment, noting the significance of winning at Arrowhead Stadium against a long-time rival.
With the loss, the Chiefs are guaranteed to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014. The team”s star tight end, Kelce, opted to skip post-game interviews, reflecting the disappointment in the locker room. Minshew will now lead the Chiefs for the final three games of the season, including a marquee matchup against the Denver Broncos on Christmas night.
The Chargers had previously defeated the Chiefs earlier in the season, setting the tone for both teams” trajectories. The Chiefs had entered the game knowing that a loss could spell disaster for their postseason hopes. They initially took control, with Mahomes scoring a touchdown on a 12-yard rush and adding a field goal to build a 13-3 lead just before halftime.
However, the Chargers responded with ten unanswered points, with Herbert connecting on a touchdown pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith and a pivotal field goal that gave them the lead. The Chiefs, who struggled with injuries throughout the season, encountered issues in the red zone, culminating in Mahomes” interception that highlighted the day”s frustrations.
The game also saw a late scare when receiver Tyquan Thornton landed in concussion protocol following a hard hit. Cornerback Tony Jefferson was ejected for his actions during the ensuing chaos. The Chargers” victory solidified their grip on the AFC West, as they now boast an undefeated record within the division.
