Less than a year ago, the Kansas City Chiefs lined up against the Philadelphia Eagles in an attempt to win their fourth Lombardi Trophy since 2019. Despite losing Super Bowl LIX to Philly, 40-22, KC was still considered to be in the midst of a modern-day dynasty and a perennial playoff team.
It hasn't been that way in 2025, however, as the Chiefs are now sitting at 6-6 on the season, and they are currently in third place in the AFC West. It's neither a familiar nor a comfortable spot for Pat Mahomes and Co. To be in right now. And, despite recent statements made by head coach Andy Reid, Kansas City is on thin ice when it comes to qualifying for the postseason this winter.
"If you're coming to me," Reid said on Monday. "We're going to go after you every game, and that's how we roll. We're going to tickle your tonsils on every play, every game. But that's the attitude we're coming in with, and then you let the chips fall where they may."
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"You're one or two plays away, and that's what this game is," Reid continued. "You look at our season, we're one or two plays off, and we take care of that -- whether it's a penalty at a crucial time, a possible turnover somewhere, or having a chance to create a turnover -- we are right in position where if we can figure out those two, three plays, you flip this around."
Chiefs' playoff chances are on the line vs. Texans
© Morgan Tencza
The Chiefs haven't missed the playoffs since 2015 and have won nine straight AFC West division titles. They've never missed out during the Patrick Mahomes Era, but all those numbers are in jeopardy down the stretch. They likely need to 'run the table' the rest of the way to make the postseason. As of now, KC is estimated to have only an estimated 36% chance of qualifying. That's what makes this week's game against the Houston Texans (7-5) so crucial.
The Texans are fighting their own battle to make the playoffs, but they reside among the seven teams that the Chiefs are looking up at in the overall AFC standings. Kansas City is also tied at.500 with the Ravens and the Steelers - one of whom will make the postseason by winning the AFC North.
So the odds keep getting slimmer, and each game becomes more like sudden-death overtime. The Chiefs know that the math is not on their side right now, and the equation will only get worse if they drop to 6-7 on December 7th.