The Kansas City Chiefs, at 6-6, are seeing their season slowly slip away as playoffs look unlikely as we enter Week 14.
But unlikely doesn't mean out of it.
And the Chiefs, while likely needing to run the table to even be in with a shot at playoff football, are still in with a chance, albeit a small one.
Others are out on Kansas City, already signaling the end for 2025, but for NFL.com's Jeffri Chadiha, he has given all teams on the playoff bubble one reason for hope.
And when it comes to the Chiefs, theirs is an easy one to guess -- Patrick Mahomes.
"That’s really the simplest way to explain any optimism around Kansas City these days," Chadiha writes. "But Mahomes has made a name off doing miraculous things, and it’s not out of the realm of possibilities that he wills his team to the postseason after all their struggles. He gives them a shot. He always does.”
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Can Mahomes pull off playoff comeback?
Given that the Chiefs' losses this season have all been by one score, had a play here or there been made, the outlook for the year could have been vastly different.
And that is likely what is keeping that hope alive.
The Chiefs have been the masters of "gotta have it moments," and Patrick nearly pulled off the miracle against the Dallas Cowboys, except Dak Prescott came through in the clutch and didn't give the ball back to the Chiefs.
So yes, the Chiefs' reason for hope centers on Mahomes, and he has shown his greatness time and time again, but does he have enough magic left this season to will his team into an unlikely playoff spot?
We're about to find out.
More Chiefs news:
- Chiefs' Jaylen Watson gets $11.1 million contract update
- Chiefs playoff picture: Updated chances for Kansas City to make 2025 NFL postseason in Week 13
- Rashee Rice sends big dare to Chiefs Kingdom after loss to Cowboys
- Patrick Mahomes shares harsh reality regarding Chiefs' playoff hopes