The Kansas City Chiefs may have to kiss their 11th consecutive playoff berth goodbye after a disappointing loss to the Houston Texans Sunday night.
The defense played with a chip on their shoulder all night long and their pass rush was dominant in this game, but the Texans did enough on offense to overcome Kansas City’s pressure.
The offense ran into a defensive buzzsaw, and it showed. Houston’s defense made life hard for quarterback Patrick Mahomes and he played his worst game of the season in a must win game.
Mahomes completed just 14 of 33 passes for 160 yards and three interceptions. He was efficient with his legs, picking up 59 rushing yards on seven carries, even with his knee bothering him. Despite the losing effort, Mahomes gave it everything he had but the Texans defense was just too stout.
It would take a miracle for the Chiefs to sneak in as a wild-card team at 6-7, but they technically still have a chance to make it in.
“What seemed impossible is quickly becoming a reality in Kansas City. The idea that the Chiefs would outright miss the playoffs with a healthy Patrick Mahomes would have gotten you laughed out of any football conversation over the summer,” ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wrote Monday. “Now, after a brutal home loss to the Texans on Sunday, the Chiefs' chances of making the playoffs for the 11th consecutive season are on life support. It will take something truly spectacular for them to land even a wild-card spot in January.”
Kansas City would have to win out and get a lot of help from other teams. The Chiefs have to take care of the Los Angeles Chargers next week before the schedule eases up with a meeting against the Tennessee Titans. They then must face the Denver Broncos and close out the season with a matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Chiefs have experienced their fair share of injuries and unfortunate luck, but Barnwell explains that Kansas City beat themselves this week.
“It wasn't just the drops, though. The Chiefs finished the game averaging minus-0.36 EPA per play, the third-worst offensive performance of the Mahomes era behind a five-turnover day against the Broncos in 2023 and last season's Super Bowl loss to the Eagles,” Barnwell wrote. “Mahomes had one of his least productive games as a pro, going 14-of-33 for 160 yards with three picks and a minus-16.3% completion percentage over expected (CPOE), per NFL Next Gen Stats. He finished 2-of-12 for 40 yards and an interception when pressured and was just 6-of-22 for 105 yards when he held the ball for 2.5 seconds or more.”
The whole team needs to step up next week against their division rival who is currently in possession of a playoff spot.