The Kansas City Chiefs are staring down the possibility of missing the AFC playoffs for the first time since 2014. Under head coach Andy Reid, the Chiefs have enjoyed a decade of postseason appearances, including nine consecutive AFC West titles and three straight conference championships. However, their recent 17-10 loss to the Houston Texans has left them struggling at 6-7, effectively ending their hopes of catching the first-place Denver Broncos.
With their playoff aspirations dwindling, the Chiefs find themselves in a precarious position. The loss to Houston, who now holds an 8-5 record, was particularly damaging, especially as they had a chance to gain ground with the Indianapolis Colts (8-5) also losing. Heading into their Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4), the Chiefs have slipped to the No. 10 seed in the AFC, behind the No. 9 Baltimore Ravens and the No. 11 Miami Dolphins, both of whom share identical records. This marks a significant decline for a team historically dominant in the AFC.
Key Reasons for the Chiefs” Decline
1. Patrick Mahomes Struggles: The star quarterback had a dismal performance against the Texans, completing 18 of 35 passes for 160 yards, with no touchdowns and three interceptions. This drop in form has raised concerns, as Mahomes” season stats reflect a troubling 22-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio, coupled with inconsistent decision-making and accuracy.
2. Aging Veteran: Travis Kelce has had some standout performances this season, but at 36, he is showing signs of age. His speed has diminished, and he has had issues with dropped passes and mental errors, raising questions about his future in the league.
3. Offensive Line Issues: The Chiefs” offensive line is in disarray, with only center Creed Humphrey performing reliably. Other linemen, including left tackle Jaylon Moore and right guard Trey Smith, have struggled, leading to increased pressure on Mahomes.
4. Special Teams Troubles: Kicker Harrison Butker has faced challenges this season, missing key kicks, including a crucial 43-yard attempt against Houston. The overall performance of the special teams has been lackluster, adding to the team”s woes.
5. Coaching Decisions: Andy Reid”s game management has come under scrutiny. His decision to go for it on fourth down during a critical moment against the Texans backfired, allowing Houston to score the game-winning touchdown.
6. Defensive Struggles: Despite sacking the Texans” quarterback three times, the Chiefs” defense has struggled to apply consistent pressure this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in total sacks. This lack of a pass rush has allowed opposing quarterbacks to operate comfortably, leading to breakdowns in coverage.
7. Loss of Identity: The Chiefs seem to have lost their competitive edge, particularly in close games. They have gone from a perfect record in one-score playoff games last season to a dismal 1-6 in such contests this year. Their struggles are compounded by a challenging AFC West, as other teams in the division have improved significantly.
As the Chiefs look to salvage their season, they face an uphill battle to make the playoffs. With their current trajectory, the chances appear slim, hovering around 6-7 percent for postseason qualification.
