Ever since Patrick Mahomes became the starter, the Kansas City Chiefs have been serial winners since 2018.
In each season, the Chiefs have won at least 10 games, and in four of those seasons, 12+ wins have been achieved. But in 2025, things have been different.
Sitting at 6-6, with the joint most losses Mahomes has had in any season in his NFL career (10-6 in 2023), things haven't gone the way many had hoped.
But for a team that has been so used to winning over the years, how has this season impacted the locker room?
“I think it's tough in a sense that we like to win,” Mahomes said. “We all know it's a process, and we all know that we have to just continue to give ourselves a chance and continue to get better. But when you have a lot of guys that like to win, and it's tough when you lose, so we'll continue to push."
More: Patrick Mahomes over Chiefs being 'close' to wins this season
Chiefs' mentality being tested
The one aspect that all great teams share is that when they are going through a slump or things aren't quite clicking, the group galvanizes together, and there's no finger-pointing.
The Chiefs, one could argue, have one of the best locker rooms in football over the past five years, and for Mahomes, he knows that's what will help the team get through this tough stretch, starting on Sunday with the Houston Texans.
"I think that's one thing that makes us great is that no one's hanging their head," Mahomes added. "Everybody's ready to go out there and try to prove ourselves this next week. This is another great opportunity at Arrowhead to showcase who we think we can be the rest of this season, but it's going to start with Sunday.”
It's gut-check time for the Chiefs.
It is truly win or go home in Week 14, so Mahomes, Andy Reid, and Steve Spagnuolo will have to pull out all the stops to keep the 2025 season alive.
This Chiefs team isn't used to losing, and with their backs against the wall, can the 2025 version stand up?
More Chiefs news:
- Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes offers perfect game plan for Texans in Week 14
- Andy Reid offers odd 'reality' message for 6-6 Chiefs
- Andy Reid's O-line injury update will have Chiefs fans nervous vs. Texans
- Josh Simmons injury update is tough blow for Chiefs' offensive line amid playoff push