We are looking ahead to Week 15 of the NFL season, and this could be a defining week for the Kansas City Chiefs, because while most have already put a line through them as a playoff team, the result of this week could nearly make it official.
The Chiefs face the Los Angeles Chargers, and if a win isn't achieved, you can just about throw their playoff hopes in the bin.
The loss to the Houston Texans wasn't a good watch, as Patrick Mahomes struggled and his supporting cast failed him in the biggest moments.
For CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan, in his Week 14 overreactions piece, has the Chiefs missing the playoffs as a reality.
“This is a remarkable turn of events, but the reality is that the Kansas City Chiefs are likely going to miss the playoffs in 2025,” Sullivan wrote. “So, we'll soon be looking at a road to the Super Bowl that will not have Patrick Mahomes in the conversation whatsoever, which is downright shocking.”
More: Chiefs get odd Week 14 grade as Patrick Mahomes edges closer to horror career-first
AFC playoff picture upside down in 2025
Heading into Week 15, if we play the hypothetical game here, if the playoffs started today, Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson would be watching from the couch.
That means only one of the "big dogs" in Josh Allen would be in the postseason.
That's startling, and the Buffalo Bills aren't assured of their playoff spot yet either, so the final month of the season isn't going to be for the faint-hearted.
This feels like the season from hell for the top AFC quarterbacks, and the playoffs are going to have a drastically different look in 2025.
Can Lamar and Mahomes bring some star power to the postseason? Right now, you'd have to say no.
More Chiefs news:
- Andy Reid has perfect playoff message for 6-7 Chiefs after Texans loss
- Chiefs' Andy Reid oddly doubles down on controversial fourth-down call vs. Texans
- Chiefs fans will hate 'obvious' problem that plagued team in Texans loss
- Chiefs urged to sign 1 of these 4 WRs to help Patrick Mahomes and their 'mess' of an offense