The Kansas City Chiefs will enter their Week 14 game against the Houston Texans knowing that all the chips are pushed into the middle of the table on Sunday night.
It's all or nothing.
At 6-6, the Chiefs' playoff hopes for some are already over, but for others, running the table is the only way Kansas City can make the postseason, which, based on the team's form this season, seems like a tall order.
Head coach Andy Reid stated that his message to the team was that he deals in the reality of where his team sits.
But what is the reality of his team as we enter Week 14?
"Yeah, that we're very close," Reid said. "We just got to take care of business. Whatever I say here, it's what you do, and that's where you're at. So, you got to do it and fix the issues there because we're very close."
More: Andy Reid's O-line injury update will have Chiefs fans nervous vs. Texans
Are the Chiefs very close?
When all six of the Chiefs' losses have been by one score, yeah, they're definitely close.
But the biggest difference this season compared to others is that when the Chiefs have a chance to step on the throat of the opposition and pull further ahead, or get a crucial stop late in the fourth quarter, they usually do it.
In 2025, they don't.
That's the big difference, and in the NFL, it's the small margins that hurt you, and for the Chiefs, self-inflicted wounds have been the top item on the menu this season.
Against the Texans, with two backup tackles, the Chiefs can't afford to make life harder for themselves.
Reid says the Chiefs are very close, and in Week 14 we're about to see if the playoffs remain on the table or become unattainable.
More Chiefs news:
- Will Chiefs survive 'elimination game' vs. Texans? Analyst bullish on Week 14 chances
- Analyst reveals why there's playoff 'trust' in 6-6 Chiefs
- Andy Reid has perfect response to confidence in Chiefs' playoff chances
- Former Saints, Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu makes unexpected career announcement