The Kansas City Chiefs came into Sunday night’s clash with the Houston Texans knowing the stakes. With playoff positioning on the line, this was a game they had to have. But from the very first snap, things unraveled-and fast.
It started with a gut punch: left tackle Wanya Morris went down on the opening offensive play. That meant rookie Esa Pole had to step in and protect Patrick Mahomes’ blind side.
Off the upright to keep the score 10-0
— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2025
HOUvsKC on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/0SLZ1xB3MW
No easy task, especially against a Texans defense that’s been quietly disruptive all season. The impact was immediate.
Mahomes, normally so poised and surgical, was hurried, hit, and out of sync. The offense couldn’t find a rhythm, punting on its first three drives.
Then came another blow. Star defensive back Trent McDuffie, a key piece of Kansas City’s secondary, went down after a collision with Texans wideout Nico Collins.
He was listed as questionable to return, but even his brief absence was felt. Houston took advantage of the Chiefs’ defensive uncertainty, putting together a 10-point first half while Kansas City struggled to get anything going.
Harrison Butker shows us the sound of the Chief’s dynasty dying pic.twitter.com/f755ytg6aX
— Jerry Thornton (@jerrythornton) December 8, 2025
On the offensive side, Mahomes just didn’t look like himself. He had little time in the pocket, and when he did get a throw off, his targets weren’t doing him many favors.
Just an amazing half that shows all the issues on the Chiefs
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) December 8, 2025
Third down defense
Inconsistency in the offense. Hot or cold. Nothing in between
Special teams stinks
Tight end Noah Gray, in particular, had a tough night, failing to come up with multiple catchable balls. The frustration boiled over on the fourth drive when Mahomes threw an interception-his intended throw to Gray was picked off, adding to the Chiefs’ mounting problems.
When Kansas City finally put together a drive late in the second quarter, it looked like they’d at least get on the board before halftime. But even that went sideways.
Harrison Butker lined up for a 43-yard field goal-and missed. The sound of the ball clanging off the upright was as loud as the collective groan from Chiefs fans watching a must-win game slip away.
About those Chiefs plays that were going to tickle our tonsils...could we see them?
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) December 8, 2025
At halftime, the Texans held a 10-0 lead. The Chiefs did manage to cut into that in the third quarter with a touchdown drive, making it 10-7, but the damage had already been done.
The Chiefs have no confidence. Just completely dead in the water.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) December 8, 2025
The slow start was costly, and it left fans stunned. This was supposed to be a statement game for Kansas City, a chance to reassert themselves in the AFC playoff picture.
Instead, it was a showcase of missed opportunities and uncharacteristic mistakes.
Mahomes, who finished the first half with just eight completions for 58 yards and an interception, was shut out in the first half for only the fourth time since 2019. The other three?
It appears the Chiefs are also trying to decline a bowl game this season.
— Steven St.John (@SSJWHB) December 8, 2025
The AFC Championship loss to the Patriots, a regular season stumble against the Titans in 2021, and last season’s Super Bowl blowout against the Eagles. Not exactly the kind of company you want this game to keep.
The Kansas City Chiefs are unrecognizable.. Maybe it was the Superbowl when the Eagles whooped them.. nobody is scared of them anymore. They probably won't even make the playoffs at this point
— nate (@nate_monigold28) December 8, 2025
There’s still time for Kansas City to right the ship, but if Sunday night was any indication, they’ve got some serious issues to address-starting with protecting their quarterback and getting back to the kind of offensive execution that’s made them perennial contenders. Because in December, every misstep matters.