The Kansas City Chiefs, three-time defending AFC champions, sit at 6-7 and third in the AFC West after a 20-10 home loss to the Houston Texans, a defeat that pushed Kansas City onto the edges of the playoff conversation.
The loss dropped the Chiefs into a must-win stretch — four regular-season games remain, and the route back to the postseason requires both wins and help elsewhere.
Despite the worrisome circumstances, Chiefs All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones told local reporters Thursday that “we still have an opportunity” for one reason: Patrick Mahomes.
“I don’t think (we’re) down because we’re all competitors at the end of the day, and even though this is new territory for us, we still have an opportunity,” Jones said. “Listen, we got Pat Mahomes, man, let’s be honest here, we always have a chance.”
The Chiefs’ path to the playoffs is unusually steep this year, yet Mahomes remains the team’s clearest reason for optimism.
Through Week 14, Mahomes has thrown for 3,398 yards with 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, along with 407 rushing yards, four rushing TDs, and a 63.1% completion rate.
His situational production has dipped from recent seasons, but he still ranks among the NFL‘s more productive passers on the season.
The offense, however, has been inconsistent and far from the explosive unit that helped define this dynasty.
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On the other side of the ball, Jones continues to anchor the Chiefs’ defensive front, though this season has been a down one statistically—four sacks and 22 total tackles in 13 games.
Even with his statistical drop-off this season, he continues to be one of Kansas City’s most influential leaders on and off the field.
Looking ahead, the Chiefs enter their most critical stretch of the regular season, beginning with a tough divisional test Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers (9–4), followed by a road trip to Tennessee (2-11), a home game against Denver (11-2), and a Week 18 matchup with the Raiders (2-11) in Las Vegas.
With three of those four contests coming against AFC West opponents — and two against playoff contenders — every game will be pivotal for Mahomes, Jones, and the Chiefs as they fight to keep their dynasty intact.