Chiefs Collapse in the Fourth: A Closer Look at Kansas City's Offensive Struggles Against Houston
This was always going to be a tough test for the Kansas City Chiefs. The Houston Texans came into the game with a defense built to frustrate this version of Andy Reid’s offense - tight man coverage, a relentless four-man rush, and a front seven that can shut down the run without needing extra help. That’s a nightmare matchup for a Kansas City team missing three starting offensive linemen and starting third-string left tackle Esa Pole, who, to his credit, held his own.
Given those circumstances, no one was expecting fireworks from the Chiefs’ offense - and for three quarters, they didn’t need to be perfect. They just needed to be functional. For a stretch in the second and third quarters, they were exactly that.
A Glimmer of Rhythm in the Middle Quarters
After a sluggish start - just 12 total yards on their first two drives - Kansas City found a bit of rhythm. Over four consecutive possessions, the Chiefs moved the ball effectively:
- 12 plays, 72 yards, four first downs (missed field goal)
- 8 plays, 56 yards, two first downs (touchdown)
- 7 plays, 40 yards, two first downs (punt)
- 7 plays, 30 yards, one first down (field goal)
Had Harrison Butker connected on a 43-yard field goal, the Chiefs would’ve averaged 2.2 points per drive and 5.3 yards per play during that stretch - solid production given the Texans' defensive pressure and the patchwork offensive line.
But then came the fourth quarter. And everything unraveled.
A Brutal Fourth Quarter
Before the game got out of reach, Kansas City had four fourth-quarter drives. The results?
- 13 total plays
- 19 total yards
- Zero first downs
- Two turnovers
- Two failed fourth-down conversions
It was, without exaggeration, one of the worst quarters of offense this team has played in the Patrick Mahomes era. Let’s break down what went wrong.
Film Room: Breaking Down the Fourth Quarter Failures
1. Third-and-6 to Start the Quarter
The Texans dropped seven into coverage. The Chiefs sent out just three routes.
Travis Kelce was blanketed, Tyquan Thornton was passed off on a post, and Mahomes tried to squeeze one to Hollywood Brown while rolling left with an edge rusher breathing down his neck. The throw was off - Mahomes couldn’t set his feet - but the play design didn’t help.
Rashee Rice was asked to chip instead of release into a route, essentially removing another option from the progression.
2. First Down in 13 Personnel
Kansas City lined up under center with three tight ends and one running back, keeping seven in to protect and sending just two routes downfield. Houston rushed four and sat in Cover 3.
The play had no shot. The Texans had no fear of the run, and the Chiefs didn’t threaten them with one.
Even when Kansas City runs efficiently from under center, defenses are more than willing to give up four-yard gains because they know there’s no home-run threat. That predictability kills plays before they start.
3. Fourth-and-1 Decision
Andy Reid rolled the dice from his own 31-yard line. The play design?
One the Chiefs have used for years. Kareem Hunt, aligned like a tight end, chips the edge and releases.
Hollywood Brown motions into the backfield and leaks to the flat. It’s a well-schemed call, but the execution faltered.
JuJu Smith-Schuster had a chance to settle into a soft spot in the coverage - the hook window was wide open - but he drifted, and the opportunity slipped away.
4. The Man Coverage Problem
This is the recurring theme of the Chiefs’ offensive struggles: no one can consistently beat man coverage. Not Rice.
Not Worthy. Not Brown.
Despite using two top-50 picks on Rice and Xavier Worthy, the Chiefs still don’t have a receiver who can win on the outside when it matters most. That’s a massive issue in today’s NFL, especially when defenses are daring you to throw by stacking the box or rushing four and locking up your receivers one-on-one.
Worthy did flash twice against man coverage in this game with sharp route running. But Rice?
He was a non-factor. The concerns about his ability to separate have been bubbling all season, and this game poured gasoline on that fire.
5. The Drop That Says It All
There was a moment - a simple drop - that summed up the Chiefs’ offensive identity this season. No need to overanalyze.
Just catch the ball. That play, more than any other, felt like a snapshot of everything going wrong.
The Bigger Picture: What’s Broken and What Needs Fixing
The offensive line gets a pass. Missing three starters and still keeping Mahomes upright for most of the game?
That’s admirable. Esa Pole, the third-string left tackle, held his ground.
The breakdowns weren’t about protection - they were about everything else.
- Wide receivers can’t win against man
- The run game doesn’t scare anyone
- Too many protection-heavy looks limit route options
- Execution in critical moments is lacking
Kansas City’s approach to the running back room has been passive, and it’s caught up to them. Defenses aren’t respecting the run, which makes play-action less effective and forces the Chiefs into predictable passing situations. When your receivers can’t create separation, that’s a recipe for disaster.
Rice and Worthy were supposed to be the future. And while Worthy showed flashes, Rice’s limitations against man coverage are now a glaring issue.
He’s not a matchup problem. Not yet.
And until he becomes one, this offense won’t be what it needs to be.
Final Thoughts
This fourth quarter was a masterclass in everything that’s gone wrong for the Chiefs this season. It was a breakdown in execution, design, and personnel. And while Mahomes will always give them a chance, even he can’t overcome a supporting cast that can’t separate, can’t run with authority, and can’t finish drives.
If the Chiefs are serious about contending, this is the film they need to study all offseason. Because this wasn’t just one bad quarter - it was a mirror reflecting the offense’s deepest flaws. And fixing them won’t be optional.