As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for a pivotal Week 14 clash with the Houston Texans, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy isn’t sugarcoating the situation. He knows this offense hasn’t hit its stride - not by a long shot - and the urgency is real.
The Chiefs are sitting at 6-6 and, for now, on the outside looking in when it comes to the AFC playoff race. If they’re going to make a run, it starts with cleaning up the issues that have plagued them - and it starts up front.
Offensive Line in Flux
The offensive line has been a revolving door since the bye week, and the results have been hard to ignore. Ten sacks allowed over the last three games is a number that jumps off the page, especially for a team led by Patrick Mahomes. Injuries have forced Kansas City into constant reshuffling, and now, with Trey Smith and Jawaan Taylor not practicing and rookie left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve, the depth is being tested more than ever.
That means players like Jaylon Moore and Wanya Morris are being asked to step up in a big way - and fast. According to Nagy, the weekly process of assembling the best five up front is a collaborative effort between himself, head coach Andy Reid, and offensive line coach Andy Heck.
“There’s a little bit of a process between Coach Reid and Coach Heck [about] where the guys are,” Nagy said. “We all talk through that - and we end up making a decision on how that goes with the guys.”
With the Texans boasting a dangerous pass rush, the challenge is clear. But Nagy’s message to the backups stepping into bigger roles is simple: lean on your fundamentals.
“Wherever it is, we want those guys to go out and do everything they can to trust their fundamentals and technique,” Nagy said. “We’ve got to be able to, in any way possible, give our guys the best advantage when they play.”
Mahomes Adjusting His Game
Protection issues have a ripple effect, and no one feels it more than Mahomes. But Nagy sees growth in how the star quarterback is adjusting. The Chiefs came into the season looking to be more aggressive, but Mahomes has evolved in a different - and arguably more important - way: knowing when to take what the defense gives him.
“Mentally this year, we talked about more aggressiveness from all of us,” Nagy said. “I think he’s done a great job with that.
The next step is the mental side - and the process of, ‘If it’s not there, check it down.’ He had three of those last week - that’s growth.”
It’s the kind of maturity that doesn’t always show up in highlight reels but makes a big difference over the course of a season. And even with the offense still trying to find its rhythm, Mahomes’ leadership remains the constant.
“He’s always the most competitive human being I’ve ever been around,” Nagy said. “In a game like last week, we [got] that touchdown at the end - and he was ready to go down there and win the game. That’s just who he is.”
For a team trying to regain its identity, having Mahomes locked in mentally and emotionally is a major asset.
“I like where he’s at,” Nagy added. “Mindset-wise - for us as a team and as an offense internally - we’re looking forward to this weekend.
He’s a leader who’s going to lead us. That’s one of his greatest strengths.”
Running Game Finding Its Groove
Another area showing signs of life: the ground game. The Chiefs have topped 100 rushing yards in back-to-back games, and Nagy wants to keep that momentum going - especially with cold-weather football now in full swing.
“Under-center runs have been good for us,” Nagy said. “We need to make sure we don’t get away from them and match things up to protect ourselves schematically.”
It’s not about abandoning the RPO game - Kansas City still leans heavily on those concepts - but rather finding the right balance. As Nagy pointed out, there are “a million different schemes” they can use, but success comes from doing what they do best and sticking to it.
“You get into cold-weather games, a little bit of the elements and the run game tends to jump up a little bit,” he said. “It’s about doing what we do well, pairing it up, and not taking away what we do in the RPO world.”
The Penalty Problem
But the biggest thorn in the Chiefs’ side? Penalties.
It’s been a recurring theme all season - drive-killing flags that stall momentum and wipe out big plays. And at this point in the year, with playoff positioning on the line, those mistakes are magnified.
“I would just say the biggest thing is when we don’t have penalties on offense, we’re pretty good,” Nagy said. “So, whatever it is, stop with the penalties.
The ones that are controllable, stop them. If they’re not controllable, keep doing what you’re doing - and we’ll deal with it.”
It’s a blunt but necessary message. The Chiefs are still moving the ball, still creating opportunities - but they can’t afford to keep stepping on their own toes.
Looking Ahead
The Texans aren’t a team to overlook. They bring pressure, they play fast, and they’ve got momentum. For Kansas City, this game is more than just another date on the calendar - it’s a chance to reset, reestablish their identity, and prove they’re still a force to be reckoned with.
It starts in the trenches. It continues with Mahomes’ poise.
And it hinges on eliminating the self-inflicted wounds. The road to the postseason is narrowing, but the Chiefs still control their fate.
Now it’s a matter of execution - and urgency.