Patrick Mahomes reveals how Chiefs can make playoffs

Adam Schultz

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Patrick Mahomes reveals how Chiefs can make playoffs image

The Kansas City Chiefs' season is hanging by a thread as Week 14 comes into view, and the sense of urgency isn't lost on the locker room.

Likely needing to win out for the rest of the season to even be a chance at the playoffs, the Chiefs' road starts against the Houston Texans.

But one thing we have seen the Chiefs not do this season that has been a staple of Andy Reid's teams is making the big plays in the big moments. In 2025, they haven't done that, and six one-score losses paint the picture of a team that is close, but just can't get over the line.

For Patrick Mahomes, making those big plays late in games is what will see more victories added to the win column.

“I mean, you can learn from it, but at the end of the day, you got to make the plays,” Mahomes said. “That's stuff that we haven't done consistently enough. There's been games we have, and we've won, and there's been games when we haven't. Just having to make those plays in the big moments will get you those wins.”

More: Andy Reid offers odd 'reality' message for 6-6 Chiefs

Chiefs have to rediscover 'clutch gene'

Reading between the lines of Patrick's comments, the Chiefs simply aren't coming through in the clutch this season, which has been one of the things Kansas City has been able to hang its hat on ever since Mahomes was named the starter back in 2018.

But things have changed in 2025, and on both sides of the ball, when a play has to be made late in the game, they don't make it.

Whether it's a third-down conversion with a costly drop, or, like in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the defense couldn't get a stop, and Dak Prescott wasted away over three minutes before taking a kneel-down.

That doesn't usually happen, but for the Chiefs to make the playoffs, they're going to have to rediscover their clutch gene.

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Editorial Team