The Kansas City Chiefs have been living on the edge in recent years. Due in large part to the skills of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs win close game after close game. Not this year.
In a Sunday night showdown, the Houston Texans dealt a huge blow to Kansas City’ s dynasty and reign over the AFC. The shocked fans filed out of Arrowhead Stadium, and the Chiefs fell below .500 in December for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era.
The Week 14 loss is a glaring lapse in the franchise’s fall from the NFL mountaintop, but there have been clear signs of decline through the first three quarters of the season.
Mahomes
While some will point the finger at Mahomes, his pass-catchers have let him down quite a bit this season as evidenced by their 24 dropped passes this year.
For the first time in a long time, the Chiefs haven’t been able to solve or mask their issues on both sides of the ball. Their reign as AFC West champions will end after nine years, and they need help to reach the playoffs.
According to The Athletic, the Chiefs have a 14 percent chance of making the playoffs. If they win out, their odds increase to 52 percent. Kansas City can do its part for a 10-7 finish, but it would still need a few other teams to fall apart in the final four weeks. At 10th in the AFC, looking up, it can realistically surpass the Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Chargers.
But it is hard to see that happening. Not seeing the wizardry of Mahomes playing football in January playoff action will be strange and a loss for the game. The Chiefs will need an offseason reset to usher in a new chapter in their dynasty.
