NFL Week 14 Takeaways: Chiefs, Eagles Stumble, But Don’t Count Them Out Yet
If you were watching the Chiefs-Texans game last week and thought Kansas City was about to do what Kansas City does-rally late and pull off another gritty win-you weren’t alone. They’d clawed back from a rough first half to tie things up at 10, the defense was locking in, and it felt like we were just waiting for Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce to do their thing. We’ve seen this story before.
But this time? The script flipped.
Instead of the usual Mahomes magic, the Chiefs made a gamble on fourth down-and lost. The aggressive call backfired, giving Houston a short field and a jolt of momentum they didn’t waste.
One quick touchdown later, the Texans were in control, and Kansas City never found a response. No scramble-drill heroics from Mahomes.
No vintage Kelce moment in traffic. No Andy Reid sleight-of-hand to spring a backup tight end no one saw coming.
Just a flat finish and a 6-7 record that has the Chiefs staring down the possibility of missing the playoffs entirely.
And just like that, the eulogies for the Chiefs are back on the table.
Then came Sunday night, and the Eagles-last year’s Super Bowl champs-delivered their own brand of prime-time disappointment. Facing a banged-up Justin Herbert and a Chargers team that’s been more question mark than contender, Philadelphia couldn’t get out of its own way. Even a much-needed burst from Saquon Barkley wasn’t enough to mask the issues.
Jalen Hurts threw four interceptions, including a game-sealer in overtime, and the Eagles dropped to 8-5. Yes, they’re still leading the NFC East, and yes, their remaining schedule is manageable.
But if you’re an Eagles fan, it’s hard to feel confident about what happens when the postseason lights come on. When the conversation turns to whether Jason Kelce should come out of retirement and leave the TV studio for the huddle, you know the vibes aren’t great.
That both of last season’s Super Bowl teams are suddenly stumbling isn’t just surprising-it’s emblematic of what’s been a bizarre NFL season from top to bottom. The AFC’s current frontrunners?
The Broncos, Patriots, and Jaguars. Go ahead and let that sink in.
For Kansas City, the regression might be more about time catching up than anything else. Dynasties are rare in the NFL for a reason, and while the Patriots once made it look easy, they were the exception.
The Chiefs’ offensive line has been shaky for a while now, the run game hasn’t been a consistent threat, and the Mahomes-Kelce connection-once the ultimate cheat code-looks a little less unstoppable these days. Add in the fact that they pulled off a lot of close wins last season that probably weren’t sustainable, and you’ve got a team that’s been living on the edge for a while.
Philadelphia’s slide is more puzzling. They looked like a juggernaut last year, but the offense has hit a wall.
The run game, once a strength, has lost its punch. Injuries along the offensive line have hurt, and Jason Kelce’s retirement left a leadership and talent void that hasn’t been filled.
Barkley, who carried a heavy load last season, hasn’t looked quite the same. And Hurts?
He’s still dynamic, but his reluctance-or inability-to attack the middle of the field has made the passing game easier to defend. Defenses are tightening the edges, and the Eagles haven’t adjusted.
Fourteen weeks into the season, that’s not just a slump-it’s a system issue. That’s why the heat is rising on offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, with fans calling for a change before the postseason even begins.
Here’s the twist, though: even with Philly in a better spot record-wise, the Chiefs might be the team with more long-term clarity. Mahomes is still only 30, already a lock for Canton, and has plenty of prime years left-whether Andy Reid is still coaching or not. The Chiefs may be down, but they’re not out of the championship conversation for good.
The Eagles, on the other hand, are heading into murkier waters. Hurts is a fascinating case study: elite in certain moments, limited in others, and somehow at his best on the biggest stage.
He’s been brilliant in two Super Bowl appearances, which isn’t how this usually goes. Think Eli Manning, not Peyton.
It’s hard to imagine Philly moving on from either Hurts or head coach Nick Sirianni-two NFC titles and a Lombardi Trophy in four years is no small feat-but the fact that those conversations are even happening tells you how quickly things have changed.
And yet, here we are. The Eagles are likely playoff-bound, but it’s the Chiefs-yes, the 6-7 Chiefs-who might be the more dangerous team if they sneak in. They’ve got a chance to get right this weekend against the same Chargers squad that just embarrassed Philly.
So maybe hold off on those eulogies. The season’s not dead yet.