There's no other way to put it -- the Kansas City Chiefs' season is on the line in Week 12.
Welcoming the rested 8-2 Indianapolis Colts, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' dire situation means anything other than a win would be devastating to the 2025 outlook.
Already out in the division race, and as far as a playoff spot, the Chiefs aren't even close at the time of writing.
A win changes that, and a loss, well, you can nearly start preparing for 2026 Chiefs Kingdom.
But Kansas City isn't dead yet, and CBS Sports' Pete Prisco has faith that when all the marbles are pushed into the center of the table on Sunday, the Chiefs will emerge victorious in Week 12.
"This is the game of the week, featuring a Colts team coming off a bye against a Chiefs team that can't afford another loss," Prisco writes. "The Colts have rolled on offense this season, but this is a spot where the Kansas City defense steps up and plays well. The Chiefs win it with a desperate season-saving showing as Patrick Mahomes bounces back."
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Chiefs need Mahomes' magic more than ever
Having never been close to a position like this since Mahomes took over the starting role, the Chiefs are in actual danger of missing the playoffs.
Yes, there are still those who think the Chiefs will sneak into the seventh seed (me too), but there is no denying that for all the playoff and Super Bowl wins, you could argue this is the most pressure Mahomes will be under in his career, given the stakes.
Still seen as a team that can win the Super Bowl "if" they make it to the playoffs, the Chiefs' entire 2025 season could very well come down to these next four quarters.
Having been counted out before, the Chiefs have rallied and come through with flying colors.
Can they do it when the entire NFL world is ready to see the latest great dynasty fall?
Prisco thinks so, and I do too.
More Chiefs news:
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- When did Chiefs last miss the playoffs? Patrick Mahomes in danger of snapping decade-long streak
- Chiefs' record in one-score games the key to dynasty downfall