The Kansas City Chiefs are facing a moment we haven’t seen in the Patrick Mahomes era: a real, tangible threat of missing the playoffs. After a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys - their sixth defeat in 12 games - the defending Super Bowl champs find themselves teetering on the edge of postseason elimination. And the noise around their playoff hopes is growing louder.
One of the most direct takes came from Fox Sports analyst Michael Strahan, who didn’t mince words when asked if he thought Mahomes would miss the playoffs for the first time in his career. On FOX NFL Kickoff, Curt Menefee posed the question, and Strahan’s answer was short and sharp: “Yes.”
It’s a bold statement, but not without basis. The Chiefs are in unfamiliar territory - not mathematically out, but definitely in crisis mode.
The margin for error? Gone.
Mahomes said it himself after the Dallas loss: “If we are going to make the playoffs, we have got to win them all.”
That’s the reality now. Every game is must-win, and the road ahead doesn’t offer many favors.
Kansas City returns to Arrowhead this Sunday to face the Houston Texans, a team that's been building confidence and stacking wins. After that, it's another home game against the division-rival Chargers on December 14 - the same Chargers who handed the Chiefs an opening-night loss in Brazil.
Then comes a trip to Tennessee to face the struggling Titans, who currently hold the league’s worst record. On paper, that’s a game the Chiefs should win, but as Mahomes pointed out, “We can beat anybody, but we’ve shown we can lose to anybody.” That’s been the story of their season - inconsistency, flashes of brilliance, and just as many head-scratching moments.
The most high-stakes matchup may come on Christmas Day, when the Broncos - now leading the AFC West - come to Arrowhead. That game could have serious playoff implications, not just for Kansas City’s hopes, but for the division crown. And then it’s the Raiders in the regular-season finale, a team that’s shown fight under interim leadership and would love nothing more than to play spoiler.
Beyond the standings, there are other ripple effects to consider. Travis Kelce’s future has come under the microscope.
Rumors have swirled all season that this could be his swan song, though his play suggests otherwise. After scoring a touchdown in Dallas, Kelce now has five on the year and 674 receiving yards through 12 games.
He’s still producing at a high level - and still Mahomes’ most trusted target - but the uncertainty around his long-term plans adds another layer to an already tense situation.
And it’s not just about performance - injuries are piling up at the worst possible time. Offensive lineman Josh Simmons left AT&T Stadium with his wrist in a cast, later revealed to be both dislocated and fractured.
Jawaan Taylor exited in the third quarter with an elbow injury, and Trey Smith didn’t even suit up due to an ankle issue. That’s three key pieces of the offensive line either out or banged up, and with Mahomes needing every ounce of protection he can get, the timing couldn’t be worse.
Defensive leader Chris Jones summed it up after the Dallas game: “These next games are going to be critical to us as a team. It’s about honing in, coming closer together, relying on each other, pushing each other, and making sure we have emphasis on these last few games.”
He’s right - this is where leadership shows up. This is where championship DNA is either confirmed or exposed.
Mahomes has never missed the playoffs, and the Chiefs have built a dynasty on resilience, execution, and big-game moments. But now, with their backs against the wall, we’re about to find out just how much gas is left in the tank.
The road to the postseason is still open - barely. But if Kansas City wants to keep its Super Bowl hopes alive, the turnaround has to start now.
No more slip-ups. No more “we’ll fix it next week.”
It’s win-or-go-home time in December - and nobody expected to say that about the Chiefs.