Chiefs Look to Regroup After Houston Loss, With Eyes Set on Chargers Clash
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Chiefs are in unfamiliar territory. At 6-7, they’re looking up in the standings instead of down, and coming off a tough loss to the Houston Texans, the questions are starting to pile up. But if you’re expecting Andy Reid to spiral into playoff hypotheticals or panic about the noise outside the building, think again.
“They want to get to work. That’s how they’re wired,” Reid said Wednesday, keeping the focus on preparation rather than projections.
“Everybody knows where we stand right now. They know what’s taken place.
But they also like to work, so we’ll get back to it.”
That mindset is going to be critical as Kansas City tries to recalibrate ahead of a pivotal matchup with the Chargers this Sunday. The Chiefs’ offense, once the gold standard in the NFL, has struggled to find its rhythm this season - and Sunday’s loss to Houston was another example. Key drops from wide receivers and tight ends stalled drives and kept points off the board, but Reid isn’t sounding the alarm.
“These guys, they’ve got good hands, and they’re proud guys that normally catch the football,” he said. “Things happen in this business where you might drop a ball once in a while. So, you go back, catch a few more at practice, lock in, and go from there.”
It’s a calm, steady message from a coach who’s been through just about everything in his two-plus decades on NFL sidelines. And it extends to his young players, including wide receiver Rashee Rice, who had a tough outing against Houston but still has the full backing of his head coach.
“He’s a tough dude,” Reid said. “A young guy with a lot on his plate. It’s not for a lack of effort.”
Effort, of course, has never really been the issue in Kansas City. Execution has.
And with the AFC playoff picture tightening, the margin for error is shrinking fast. That’s what makes Sunday’s game against the Chargers feel like a must-win - even if Reid isn’t entertaining any postseason math just yet.
“You need to win games,” Reid said. “Focus straight ahead on that.”
The Chargers, fresh off a Monday night win over Philadelphia, come into the game with momentum and a roster that’s finally starting to get a bit healthier. Reid had high praise for the division rival, pointing out their resilience and balance on both sides of the ball.
“Good football team all the way around - offensively and defensively,” he said. “They’ve been banged up a little bit up front, but they worked through it. Tough quarterback, playing aggressive football, and they’re well-coached.”
That’s the kind of opponent the Chiefs will need to beat if they want to stay in the playoff hunt. And while the outside world may be dissecting every drop, every miscue, every missed opportunity, inside the Chiefs’ locker room, the message is clear: get back to work.
For a team that’s made deep playoff runs feel routine in recent years, the path forward this time is more complicated - but not impossible. There’s still time, still talent, and still belief. But the clock is ticking, and the Chiefs know it.
Focus forward. No shortcuts. Just work.