The Kansas City Chiefs’ struggles have come as a surprise to many in the NFL community. The combination of Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid has been untouchable since it began.
The reality of the NFL is that if you aren’t actively improving, you’re falling behind. We’re so used to dynasties that the Chiefs’ dominance over the league seems brief. We used to think that as soon as you thought the team was out, Mahomes would somehow pull a win out of thin air.
Against the Houston Texans in Week 14, though, there were several opportunities for a classic Mahomes magic comeback. Instead, it was one opportunity squandered after another. The Texans escaped with the 20-10 win, and the Chiefs moved to 6-7. Kansas City is firmly on the outside looking in for the AFC’s playoff picture.
Here is more on the Chiefs’ chance to make the 2025 postseason heading into Week 15.
MORE: Predicting the 2025 NFL playoff picture heading into Week 14
Chiefs playoff picture
The loss against the Texans moves the Chiefs to 6-7. The Chiefs not only shift down in the playoff standings, but a win would have had them vault into a top-seven seed.
Per the NBC broadcast, the loss gives Kansas City just a 16% chance to make the playoffs, putting that much more pressure on each of their remaining games.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Denver Broncos | 11-2 |
| 2 | New England Patriots | 11-2 |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 9-4 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 7-6 |
| 5 | Buffalo Bills | 9-4 |
| 6 | Los Angeles Chargers | 8-4 |
| 7 | Houston Texans | 8-5 |
| 8 | Indianapolis Colts | 8-5 |
| 9 | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-7 |
| 10 | Baltimore Ravens | 6-7 |
| 11 | Miami Dolphins | 6-7 |
| 12 | Cincinnati Bengals | 4-9 |
| 13 | New York Jets | 3-10 |
| 14 | Cleveland Browns | 3-10 |
| 15 | Las Vegas Raiders | 2-11 |
| 16 | Tennessee Titans | 2-11 |
AFC West standings
If the Chiefs make the 2025 postseason, it will not be as the AFC West winner. The loss in Week 14, with a win by the Denver Broncos, makes it mathematically impossible for Kansas City to win the division this year. The Chiefs’ 16% chance to make the postseason would be a a wild-card team.
| Team | Record |
| Denver Broncos | 11-2 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 8-4 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 6-7 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 2-11 |
MORE WEEK 14 NFL:
Chiefs remaining schedule
The Chiefs’ remaining opponents include two key games against strong divisional teams and two matchups where Kansas City is heavily favored.
The Tennessee Titans and the Las Vegas Raiders are two more winnable games for the Chiefs. However, the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers are as close to must-win games as the Chiefs have had.
If Kansas City can win all remaining games, there’s a strong chance of qualifying for the playoffs. Although one loss won’t necessarily eliminate the Chiefs, additional losses will increase their dependence on help from other teams in the league.
| Week | Opponent |
| 15 | vs. Chargers |
| 16 | at Titans |
| 17 | vs. Broncos |
| 18 | at Raiders |
