Bury K.C.? Chiefs might overcome six factors that have slowed them Nate Davis, USA TODAY November 23, 2025 at 11:03 PM 0 The Kansas City Chiefs are already in playoff mode. Whether they actually qualify for the 2025 NFL postseason is a completely different proposition. The reigning AFC champions, who have won three of the past six Super Bowls, prevailed in overtime Sunday, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 2320 in what might have effectively been a mustwin game.
- - Bury K.C.? Chiefs might overcome six factors that have slowed them
Nate Davis, USA TODAY November 23, 2025 at 11:03 PM
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The Kansas City Chiefs are already in playoff mode. Whether they actually qualify for the 2025 NFL postseason is a completely different proposition.
The reigning AFC champions, who have won three of the past six Super Bowls, prevailed in overtime Sunday, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 23-20 in what might have effectively been a must-win game.
The Chiefs improved their record to 6-5, picking up a half-game on the idle Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers in the highly competitive AFC West while otherwise keeping pace on the periphery of the conference playoff chase − though they remained in 10th place overall immediately after their narrow victory.
While a 10th straight divisional crown doesn't seem to be in the offing, K.C. did live to fight another weekend − or Thursday, actually, as the Chiefs will next play on Thanksgiving afternoon against the Dallas Cowboys.
Yet despite Sunday's escape from the Colts at Arrowhead, there's been plenty wrong with the Chiefs since the start of the 2025 campaign. Let us count the reasons – specifically six of them:
1 / 6NFL players show off their 'My Cause My Cleats' fashion for charitiesA view of the my cause my cleats worn by Dorian Williams #42 of the Buffalo Bills prior to an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Nov. 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas. The 2025 NFL "My Cause My Cleats" campaign is active during Weeks 12 and 13, and players across the league are wearing custom cleats to spotlight charities and social issues they care about most. Causes this year include mental health, cancer awareness, youth empowerment, and more, with cleats later auctioned to raise funds for those nonprofits.1. The Rashee Rice disruption
Slice this however you want, but the six-game suspension K.C.'s top wideout served to start the season – for his reckless racing on a Dallas highway last year, which left six cars in a pileup and several people injured at a scene Rice left – hasn't helped.
The Chiefs split their first six games without Rice in a predictive microcosm of their season and are 3-2 since he returned. From an individual perspective, he's been instantaneously productive after a knee injury scuttled his 2024 season after four games – producing 34 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns, including eight often crucial receptions for 141 yards against Indy. But when a team is average without you and effectively the same while having to belatedly integrate you into the attack midstream, what are you really bringing to the table?
2. Lady Luck's wrath
No, this isn't a Taylor Swift reference ... yet. But the 2024 Chiefs, who finished the regular season with a 15-2 record – the best in franchise history – were 12-0 (including playoffs) in one-score games. Their meager plus-59 point differential in the regular season and minus-six mark in the playoffs, including a 22-point defeat in Super Bowl 59 that wasn't as close as the score would suggest, is indicative of a team that was relatively average − particularly by the Chiefs' dynastic standards.
But the pendulum has swung violently in the other direction this season. Kansas City entered Sunday with an 0-5 record, i.e. all of its losses, in one-score games before surviving the Colts. No regression to the mean here, simply living on the polarities.
3. Stunning AFC West regression
The Chiefs' divisional rule wasn't going to last forever, but they knew the barbarians were at the gates in 2024, when the Jim Harbaugh-led Chargers and Sean Payton-led Broncos both reached the playoffs as fairly surprising wild-card entries. Now, the palace has seemingly been overrun, those teams not only ahead of Kansas City in the standings but each with a win over the Chiefs in hand – potentially critically valuable currency when it comes time to sort out playoff tiebreakers at the end of the regular season.
their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 5: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel makes a catch against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. The Bills wore their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/zop29Uf class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 5: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel makes a catch against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. The Bills wore their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.
">Week 5: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel makes a catch against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. The Bills wore their new "Rivalries" uniform for the "Sunday Night Football" game, which the Patriots won, 23-20.
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Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield awaits the snap against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Both teams wore throwback uniforms in the Buccaneers' 38-35 win. The Buccaneers and Seahawks entered the NFL together as expansion teams in 1976.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Le7l6qA class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield awaits the snap against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Both teams wore throwback uniforms in the Buccaneers' 38-35 win. The Buccaneers and Seahawks entered the NFL together as expansion teams in 1976.
">Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield awaits the snap against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Both teams wore throwback uniforms in the Buccaneers' 38-35 win. The Buccaneers and Seahawks entered the NFL together as expansion teams in 1976.
" src=https://ift.tt/Le7l6qA class=caas-img>
"Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 4: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) hands the ball off to running back J.K. Dobbins during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lMdVK9L class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 4: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) hands the ball off to running back J.K. Dobbins during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.
">Week 4: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) hands the ball off to running back J.K. Dobbins during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their "Midnight Navy" uniforms for the 28-3 win.
" src=https://ift.tt/lMdVK9L class=caas-img>a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 4: Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane rushes the ball against the New York Jets during a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Cgq0ZeF class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 4: Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane rushes the ball against the New York Jets during a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."
">Week 4: Miami Dolphins running back De'von Achane rushes the ball against the New York Jets during a 27-21 win on "Monday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins wore their new their Nike "Rivalries" uniforms – the team version dubbed "Dark Waters."
" src=https://ift.tt/Cgq0ZeF class=caas-img>the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 4: The Arizona Cardinals defense tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) during the first quarter of a "Thursday Night Football" game at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals became the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/IgLJ1nv class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 4: The Arizona Cardinals defense tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) during the first quarter of a "Thursday Night Football" game at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals became the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.
">Week 4: The Arizona Cardinals defense tackles Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) during the first quarter of a "Thursday Night Football" game at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals became the first NFL team to wear the new Nike "Rivalries" uniform in a game. The Seahawks won the game, 23-20.
" src=https://ift.tt/IgLJ1nv class=caas-img>
Week 3: New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The Saints wore their all-white uniform and helmet combo for the first time in the 44-13 loss.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/N6ZtA0K class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 3: New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The Saints wore their all-white uniform and helmet combo for the first time in the 44-13 loss.
">Week 3: New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The Saints wore their all-white uniform and helmet combo for the first time in the 44-13 loss.
" src=https://ift.tt/N6ZtA0K class=caas-img>Week 3: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers wore throwback jerseys - an homage to the team's 1950s look, as well as its 1994 Super Bowl-winning season - in the 16-15 win against the Cardinals.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/y8DCvFW class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 3: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers wore throwback jerseys - an homage to the team's 1950s look, as well as its 1994 Super Bowl-winning season - in the 16-15 win against the Cardinals.
">Week 3: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers wore throwback jerseys - an homage to the team's 1950s look, as well as its 1994 Super Bowl-winning season - in the 16-15 win against the Cardinals.
" src=https://ift.tt/y8DCvFW class=caas-img>
Week 2: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sporting "The Vikings Classic" throwback uniform inspired by the team's look during the 1960s and '70s, Minnesota was defeated, 22-6.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/yzwJGRx class=caas-img data-headline="Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 2: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sporting "The Vikings Classic" throwback uniform inspired by the team's look during the 1960s and '70s, Minnesota was defeated, 22-6.
">Week 2: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sporting "The Vikings Classic" throwback uniform inspired by the team's look during the 1960s and '70s, Minnesota was defeated, 22-6.
" src=https://ift.tt/yzwJGRx class=caas-img>
1 / 25Can't-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL seasonWeek 6: Washington Commanders wide receiver Chris Moore (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the "Monday Night Football" game against the Chicago Bears at Northwest Stadium. The Commanders wore their all-black alternate uniforms for the game.4. Critical losses
Speaking of those tiebreakers, it's better to lose interconference games – like when the Chiefs dropped their Super Bowl 59 rematch to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2, a much less penal defeat when the formula is applied. But in addition to those divisional setbacks, Kansas City has lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills, other teams they could be vying with for one of those three wild-card berths. Not great.
5. Travis Kelce and Chris Jones
Aside from QB Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid, Kansas City's tight end (Kelce) and defensive cornerstone (Jones) would be the other two faces carved if a Mount Rushmore was ever built for the NFL's most recent dynasty. Kelce, 36, has picked up the pace of late, but he wasn't much of a factor during that 3-3 start when Rice wasn't available to help draw coverage from him. Worse, Kelce admitted a poorly run route in the Week 1 game at Brazil that resulted in a shoulder injury to WR Xavier Worthy was entirely his fault. Worthy wound up missing most of the first three games, when K.C. was 1-2, its receiving corps further depleted by his absence. It's fair to say Kelce is still one of the league's better tight ends, if one in decline − especially relative to what he's provided this team through the years.
Jones, 31, has had an even tougher season – with just three sacks and 24 pressures, ranking him 59th league-wide entering Week 12. Worse, PFF ranked him 111th of 124 qualified defensive linemen in terms of run defense coming into the weekend. Jones' lack of gap discipline in the opening-night loss to the Chargers was notable on Bolts QB Justin Herbert's game-icing run and drew the wrath of LB Drue Tranquill on the sideline. Jones had just one tackle against the Colts, though the Chiefs did limit Indianapolis RB Jonathan Taylor to 58 rushing yards and kept him out of the end zone.
6. Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 23: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs makes a pass in second quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Are they about to become victims of the outsized expectations they've fostered? All those division titles? Five Super Bowl appearances and three Lombardi Trophies? Heck, since Mahomes became the starter in 2018, his second season, he's never failed to lead this team to the AFC championship game. Maybe this team isn't really that good and deserves to be hovering around .500 − doesn't mean "we" don't think they should win at all ... even if much of America is rejoicing that its Chiefs fatigue may be taking a break, if not ending. But don't bury K.C. just yet, especially after Mahomes engineered a pair of field goal drives with his final two possessions Sunday − one bringing the Chiefs level with the Colts at the end of regulation, the second vanquishing the AFC South leaders in OT.
Taylor Swift
Would that we could blame "Wood." But nah, not her fault. Sorry, haters (and we're not!).
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bury the Chiefs? K.C. might overcome these factors to make playoffs
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Published: November 24, 2025 at 12:27AM on Source: MARIO MAG
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