The Kansas City Chiefs are confronting a rare challenge: missing the playoffs. After losing 20-10 to the red-hot Houston Texans, the Chiefs’ postseason hopes are in serious jeopardy. With a 6-7 record, they currently sit as the 10th seed in the AFC, competing for the final playoff spot with the Ravens, Colts, and Texans. In the Patrick Mahomes era, Kansas City has never failed to reach at least the AFC Championship Game.
While the Chiefs maintain one of the NFL’s most potent offenses, Sunday’s loss highlighted several weaknesses that could prevent the team from sustaining its dominance. Houston’s defense, one of the league’s best this season, exposed Kansas City’s challenges in protection, play execution, and finishing at the catch point. Backup offensive tackles struggled against the Texans’ pass rush, while wide receivers repeatedly failed to secure contested catches, leading to turnovers at critical moments.
Patrick Mahomes remains the engine of this offense, but his workload has been enormous. When key targets like Rashee Rice struggle, the team’s limitations become apparent. The Chiefs need additional talent to complement Mahomes and compete against elite defenses consistently.
The team’s running game has also been problematic. Kareem Hunt and Isaiah Pacheco managed only 67 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries against Houston. With a 31.8% success rate on non-scramble rushing plays—their third-lowest mark this season—the offense is heavily dependent on its line to create opportunities. Without dynamic backs, the Chiefs’ attack remains one-dimensional, which opponents can exploit.
Despite these issues, Kansas City’s offensive efficiency remains top five in many categories, underscoring Mahomes’ impact. Still, relying solely on his talent is not enough. The team’s leadership has struggled to assemble adequate supporting talent and depth, leaving the offense vulnerable when key players underperform.
Life has become unusually difficult for a team built around a generational quarterback. Poor luck in close games has compounded the problem, but losses have also made weaknesses more visible. This season’s struggles could serve as a wake-up call. Missing the playoffs might provide the “medicine” needed to push the front office to invest in game-breaking talent and retool the roster around Mahomes’ strengths.
Kansas City’s defense has been inconsistent this season, but the offense’s struggles dominate the narrative. Holding the Texans to 20 points shows defensive resilience, yet the team’s sloppy offensive execution overshadows those efforts.
The Chiefs are still mathematically in the playoff hunt. They rank 10th in point differential with +63, meaning one more loss could effectively end their postseason chances. Running the table is the only realistic path forward, which would require peak performance in every game—a tall order for a team facing evident roster gaps.
Ultimately, the Chiefs’ extended offseason may provide a rare opportunity to reset. By addressing offensive depth, improving the running game, and adding versatile playmakers, Kansas City can better leverage Mahomes’ talent in future seasons. For now, fans and analysts will watch closely to see if the team can salvage its playoff hopes or embrace the necessary rebuild to maintain championship contention in the years ahead.
