The Chiefs Are Missing a Familiar Spark - and It's Costing Them
By now, it’s clear this isn’t the same Chiefs team we’ve grown used to watching dominate December. At 6-7, Kansas City is fighting to stay afloat in a season that’s been defined more by self-inflicted wounds than signature moments.
The usual suspects - penalties, drops, and turnovers - have all played their part. But there’s another issue flying under the radar that’s just as telling: this team hasn’t scored a single non-offensive touchdown all season.
That’s right. No pick-sixes.
No scoop-and-scores. No blocked punts taken to the house.
Not even a spark from the return game. And with only four games left, the clock is ticking on a streak that dates back to 1988 - the last time the Chiefs went an entire season without a defensive or special teams touchdown.
That team finished 4-11-1. Sound familiar?
It’s not just about the points. These types of plays - the momentum-swinging, stadium-shaking kind - have been a hallmark of the Chiefs’ modern era.
They’ve flipped games, fueled playoff runs, and in some cases, helped deliver championships. Without them, this year’s squad has looked a step slower, a little less dangerous, and a lot more vulnerable.
Let’s rewind and look at just how impactful these moments have been in recent years.
When the Defense Delivered
2024, Week 2 vs. Bengals:
Cincinnati was clinging to a five-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Joe Burrow dropped back, and Mike Danna and Tershawn Wharton collapsed the pocket.
Wharton knocked the ball loose, and rookie safety Chamarri Conner scooped it up and sprinted 38 yards to the end zone. That play flipped the game, and the Chiefs walked away with a win thanks to a Harrison Butker field goal at the buzzer.
2023, Week 10 in Frankfurt vs. Dolphins:
With Miami threatening just before halftime, Tua Tagovailoa hit Tyreek Hill near the Chiefs’ 30-yard line. But Trent McDuffie jarred the ball loose, Mike Edwards recovered, and then lateraled to Bryan Cook, who took it 59 yards to the house.
That defensive touchdown gave the Chiefs a commanding lead in a game they’d go on to win 21-14.
And don’t forget Week 18 that same season. Edwards struck again, returning a fumble 97 yards for the only touchdown in a gritty 13-12 win over the Chargers. That was vintage Chiefs - making the most of chaos and turning it into game-changing points.
2022, Week 2 vs. Chargers:
Jaylen Watson, a seventh-round rookie, came up with one of the biggest plays of the season. With the game tied in the fourth quarter, he picked off Justin Herbert and returned it 99 yards for a back-breaking touchdown.
The Chiefs won 27-24. It was a defining moment in a season that ended with confetti.
And of course, Super Bowl LVII. Nick Bolton’s 36-yard fumble return touchdown tied the game in the second quarter and set the tone for the Chiefs' eventual victory over the Eagles. That play didn’t just swing momentum - it helped swing a Lombardi Trophy.
This Year? Crickets.
The only return touchdown in a Chiefs game this season came against them - a 99-yard interception return by Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd. That one hurt. And it’s a reminder of what Kansas City is missing this year.
Defensive and special teams touchdowns are rare, sure. But for the Chiefs, they’ve been part of the formula. When that element disappears, the margin for error shrinks - and this season, those margins have been razor-thin.
Interestingly, the Chargers - Sunday’s opponent - haven’t scored a non-offensive touchdown this year either. Both teams are missing that lightning-in-a-bottle moment that can turn a game, or even a season, around.
What to Watch Sunday at Arrowhead
Chiefs Player to Watch: Chris Jones, DT
Jones has been heating up lately.
Over the last four games, he’s recorded two sacks, generated consistent pressure, and even batted down a pass last week. When asked about the uptick in production, Jones pointed to the bye week as a turning point.
“I don’t think it was more so flipping the switch,” he said. “It’s just being able to watch film over the bye week, correct some errors - probably footwork and hand placement for me.”
That’s the kind of self-scouting and adjustment you expect from a veteran leader. And with the Chiefs needing a jolt, Jones is the kind of player who can provide it.
Chargers Player to Watch: Omarion Hampton, RB
The rookie back missed seven games with an ankle injury but returned last week and posted a solid 56-yard performance in a win over the Eagles. He’s expected to split carries with Kimani Vidal, but don’t sleep on Justin Herbert’s legs - the quarterback led the team with 66 rushing yards last week and is averaging a dangerous 6.3 yards per carry this season.
Special Teams Spotlight: Nikko Remigio, Returner
Remigio sat out last week against Houston, but he’s back in the mix on Sunday.
As the Chiefs’ top punt returner and leader in kickoff returns, he’s one of the few players on the roster with the potential to break one. And let’s face it - Kansas City could use a spark from anywhere right now.
Bottom Line
The Chiefs have four games left to rediscover the identity that’s made them one of the league’s most feared teams. That identity has always included explosive plays - not just from Mahomes and the offense, but from a defense and special teams unit that knew how to swing momentum in an instant.
So far in 2025, that element’s been missing. And the record reflects it.
If Kansas City wants to make a run - or even just secure a playoff spot - it may take more than just cleaning up the penalties and drops. It might take a return to the kind of game-breaking, heart-stopping plays that have defined this era of Chiefs football.