The Kansas City Chiefs, long the AFC’s dominant force and a perennial Super Bowl contender, are fighting for their playoff lives this season. Despite having Patrick Mahomes—the NFL’s best quarterback—and Andy Reid, one of football’s sharpest coaches, the Chiefs sit at 9-6 with no room for error. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell examines why Kansas City’s season has gone off script and whether they can salvage it.
Chiefs Offensive Struggles: Turnovers & Receiver Woes
For years, Kansas City’s offense was unstoppable. This season, it’s uncharacteristically inconsistent. The biggest issue? Turnovers. Mahomes has thrown a career-high 14 interceptions, often forcing plays that backfire. Beyond Travis Kelce, the receiving corps has been unreliable—rookie Rashee Rice shows flashes, but drops and miscommunications (especially from Kadarius Toney and Marquez Valdes-Scantling) have hurt.
Barnwell notes the Chiefs rank 17th in points per drive, a steep drop from their usual top-5 dominance. Without a true No. 1 receiver since Tyreek Hill’s departure, defenses are forcing Mahomes into short, inefficient passes.
Chiefs Defense: Improved But Not Elite
Ironically, Kansas City’s defense—once its weakest link—has kept them competitive. Ranking 2nd in points allowed, the unit has bailed out the struggling offense. However, late-game breakdowns (like losses to the Packers and Eagles) reveal lingering flaws.
Barnwell argues the defense isn’t elite enough to carry the team, especially with injuries (e.g., LB Nick Bolton) weakening the run defense.
Penalties & Coaching: Unforced Errors
Andy Reid’s teams are typically disciplined, but Kansas City is among the most penalized teams this year. Costly flags have killed drives and extended opponents’ possessions. Play-calling has also drawn criticism—Reid and OC Matt Nagy have been too conservative in crucial moments.
Can the Chiefs Still Make the Playoffs?
At 9-6, Kansas City must win their final two games (vs. Bengals, at Chargers) and hope for help. The loaded AFC means tiebreakers could eliminate them with one more loss.
Barnwell’s verdict? The Chiefs aren’t broken, but they’re flawed. Unless the offense rebounds and the defense holds, Mahomes and Reid could face a shocking reality: missing the playoffs entirely.
For a franchise accustomed to January (and February) football, that would be a brutal wake-up call. Time is running out to fix it.
