The Kansas City Chiefs lost yet another one-score game as the Denver Broncos defeated them 20-13 en route to securing the American Football Conference West division crown.
The Chiefs are heavily depleted and the offense’s success without star quarterback Patrick Mahomes shows how defeated this team is without its captain.
Even when Mahomes was still playing, the team as a whole just wasn’t getting it done, especially in those aforementioned one-score games. After the loss to Denver, Kansas City is now 1-8 in those games this year, a vast difference from their perfect 11-0 record in the 2024 regular season.
All three phases of the team has had a down year.
On offense, Mahomes turned the ball over more than he usually does (many of them during key situations), the running game hasn’t generated explosive plays and receivers lead the league in drops. The offensive line also lost legendary guard Joe Thuney, causing the team to restructure the unit.
Defensively, the team hasn’t pressured opposing quarterbacks well enough. Star defensive end George Karlaftis leads the team with six sacks and star defensive tackle Chris Jones has just five.
On special teams, kicker Harrison Butker has had the worst season of his career. He has missed five of 34 field goals and four of 35 extra point attempts.
“This was supposed to be the season that the Chiefs' offense returned to being an elite unit,” ESPN’s Nate Taylor wrote Tuesday. Instead, the group surrounding quarterback Patrick Mahomes couldn't properly support him. Kansas City's rushing attack was historically bad, while the young receivers (Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy) didn't progress much. On defense, the pass rush lacked production around defensive tackle Chris Jones. Even the special teams unit took a step back with kicker Harrison Butker missing nine total kicks (field goals and extra points).”
Given how many problems Kansas City has had this season, an easy fix/turnaround might not seem plausible. However, that isn’t the case.
For starters, receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy will develop more in the offseason and if they can stay healthy/out of trouble throughout the season. It’s unlikely that the Chiefs’ receivers will drop as many passes as they have this year.
Mahomes will be back early next season, maybe even for Week 1, as long as he doesn’t suffer any setbacks in his rehab.
The Chiefs could have traded a third-round pick for star dual threat running back Breece Hall at the trade deadline but were too stubborn to do so. Sign Hall in the offseason to spark the running game.
For as much as Kansas City blitzes, it doesn’t make much sense as to why the Chiefs defense hasn’t done well this year. It was a down year, and I don’t expect this trend to continue.
Butker needs to go. Find a new kicker who will be consistent and not draw negative attention to himself off the field.
The Chiefs end the season with a road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18.