KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The Kansas City Chiefs have been playing “must-win” games for about a month now. But for their final four games of the season, it’s actually true.
They know there’s no room for error if Kansas City wants to beat the odds of an 11% chance of extending its 10-year playoff streak.
“I think the mindset for us – as we came into this thing at the beginning of the week, is, let’s look back at what we didn’t do well and let’s make sure that we understand we all have a job to start with ourselves, and get better with that. Then you got to do it,” offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said.
Not only do they need to win out, but they also need some help. They need the Colts to lose two games, and the Chargers to lose to Denver and either Houston or Dallas.
Speaking of the Chargers, they’re the ones the Chiefs have to get past first this coming Sunday.
“We’re in a tough spot right now, an area we’re not really familiar with. But we’re still competitors at the end of the day. That door’s still open,” Chris Jones said at the podium on Thursday.”
FILE – Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert passes against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of an NFL football game, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Sao Paulo. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)(Fernando Llano | AP)
These two AFC West foes haven’t met since week one in Sao Paulo, Brazil. That’s a game that Kansas City certainly wants back. The staff – and the defensive players – believe that winning starts with stopping a high-powered L.A. offense.
“The quarterback is an issue, both with his arm and with his feet. I think he’s playing outstanding,” defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said about Justin Herbert. “He refuses to go down in certain situations, and he just fights tooth and nail.”
“I think he’s playing with a broken hand, broken left hand right now. And he’s still doing it, man,” Jones said about Herbert. So I got much respect for those guys.”
It’ll also be below freezing during the game, which could help the Chiefs out against a team from warm and sunny Los Angeles.
“The wind is the hardest thing,” special teams coordinator Dave Toub said about the expected weather conditions. “Cold, everybody’s affected by it. The ball flight doesn’t fly as far, and stuff like that. But the wind is the biggest factor.”
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