Many in the NFL community are surprised by the Kansas City Chiefs' recent struggles. The partnership between Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid has been nearly unbeatable since it began.
The reality of the NFL is that if you're not continuously improving, you're falling behind. We’re so accustomed to dynasties that the Chiefs' dominance may now seem fleeting. We used to believe Mahomes could always somehow secure an unexpected victory.
In Week 14 against the Houston Texans, there were multiple chances for a signature Mahomes comeback. However, each opportunity was missed, and the Texans ultimately won 20-10. The Chiefs now stand at 6-7 and remain on the outside of the AFC playoff picture.
Kansas City will look to get back in the win column in Week 15, when it hosts the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers beat the Chiefs in Week 1 in Brazil.
Here’s more on the Chiefs' chances to make the 2025 postseason heading into Week 15.
MORE WEEK 15 NFL:
Chiefs playoff picture
Heading into Week 15, the Chiefs are sitting on the bubble with possession of the No. 10 seed.
Next Gen Stats gives Kansas City an 11% chance to make the postseason, but they'd need plenty of things to go right. This is the first time in the Mahomes era where the Chiefs do not control their own destiny.
There are too many variables to account for, but the one thing the Chiefs faithful need to focus on is winning out.
Here is how the AFC playoff picture looks heading into Week 15. The first four seeds are the division leaders.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Denver Broncos | 11-2 |
| 2 | New England Patriots | 11-2 |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 9-4 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 7-6 |
| 5 | Los Angeles Chargers | 9-4 |
| 6 | Buffalo Bills | 9-4 |
| 7 | Houston Texans | 8-5 |
| 8 | Indianapolis Colts | 8-5 |
| 9 | Baltimore Ravens | 6-7 |
| 10 | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-7 |
| 11 | Miami Dolphins | 6-7 |
| 12 | Cincinnati Bengals | 4-9 |
| 13 | New York Jets | 3-10 |
| 14 | Cleveland Browns | 3-10 |
| 15 | Las Vegas Raiders | 2-11 |
| 16 | Tennessee Titans | 2-11 |
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture after Week 14 results
AFC West standings
| Team | Record |
| Denver Broncos | 11-2 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 9-4 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 6-7 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 2-11 |
If the Chiefs reach the 2025 postseason, they will do so as a wild-card team, not as AFC West champions. Their Week 14 loss, combined with the Denver Broncos' win, has made it mathematically impossible for Kansas City to clinch the division this season. Currently, the Chiefs have an 11% chance of making the playoffs.
Chiefs remaining schedule
The Chiefs' remaining opponents include two games where they'll be firm favorites and a challenge against a divisional foe.
The Tennessee Titans and the Las Vegas Raiders are two winnable games for the Chiefs. However, the Denver Broncos have posed a threat to the entire league with that elite defense. There's no doubt that Kansas City will need some of that Mahomes magic we've witnessed over the years.
If Kansas City can win all remaining games, they still have a chance to qualify for the playoffs. There is no room for error now. One loss would deal a devastating blow to the Chiefs' postseason hopes.
Here is a look at Kansas City's remaining schedule.
| Week | Opponent |
| 16 | at Titans |
| 17 | vs. Broncos |
| 18 | at Raiders |