Since Patrick Mahomes took over as the starting quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018, his team never got eliminated from the playoffs before the AFC championship game. Until this year.
For the first time since 2014, Kansas City will not only miss the conference title game, it won’t even be in the playoffs. The Chiefs were mathematically eliminated from postseason contention in Week 15 with their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers – and several other results around the league not swinging their way.
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The Chiefs also lost Mahomes for the season in that Week 15 loss. The star quarterback sustained a knee injury in the final moments of the game and was ruled out for the season after an MRI confirmed an ACL tear.
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Kansas City still has two more games to play, including a Christmas Day divisional clash with the Denver Broncos that closes out the holiday slate. Since the Chiefs’ backup quarterback, Gardner Minshew, is also dealing with a knee injury, former practice squad quarterback Chris Oladokun is slated to make his first career start.
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Here’s what to know about the Chiefs’ playoff picture in Week 17:
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Travis Kelce runs the ball in the 2nd quarter as University of Cincinnati battles Southeast Missouri State on Sept. 12, 2009 at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Travis Kelce runs the ball in the 2nd quarter as University of Cincinnati battles Southeast Missouri State on Sept. 12, 2009 at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Cincinnati Bearcats tight end Travis Kelce (18) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Connecticut Huskies during the first quarter at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT. on Dec. 1, 2012.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Teammates George Winn #32, Travis Kelce #18 and Greg Blair #51 of the Cincinnati Bearcats celebrate after defeating the Duke Blue Devils 48-34 during their game at Bank of America Stadium on Dec. 27, 2012 in Charlotte, NC.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Cincinnati Bearcats tight end Travis Kelce (18) runs after catching a pass during the fourth quarter against the Duke Blue Devils in the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. On Dec. 27, 2012. Cincinnati won 48-34.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce dives in for a touchdown as New York Jets cornerback Marcus Williams attempts the tackle during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 25, 2016.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce kisses Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce after the game at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 17, 2017.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is unable to make the catch as Miami Dolphins cornerback Torry McTyer defends in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 24, 2017
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce scores a touchdown against Oakland Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley (20) during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum on Dec. 2, 2018.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce leaps over New England Patriots defensive back Jonathan Jones during the first half of the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium on Jan. 20, 2019.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after beating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on Feb. 2, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Fla.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce catches a touchdown pass as Green Bay Packers free safety Darnell Savage defends during the first quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 7, 2021
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati on Jan. 2, 2022.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on Oct. 2, 2022
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Cincinnati Bengals safety Vonn Bell defends a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in the second quarter of a Week 13 NFL game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Dec. 4, 2022.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) are interviewed after winning the AFC Championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Jan. 29, 2023
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Donna Kelce, mother to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (not pictured) and Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (not pictured), holds up a picture of her son Jason before Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Feb. 12, 2023.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce makes a catch for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter of Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz on Feb. 12, 2023.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates with teammates after making a catch for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter of Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz on Feb. 12, 2023.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce talks with his brother Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce after the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Feb. 12, 2023.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates with head coach Andy Reid after winning Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz on Feb. 12, 2023.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce laterals the ball against Buffalo Bills cornerback Cam Lewis during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 10, 2023
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates while being interviewed by CBS commentator Jim Nantz after winning Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11, 2024
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates with fans in the parade during the celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs winning Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 14, 2024
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce arrives prior to a a game against the Baltimore Ravens at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 5, 2024
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is introduced prior to a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce catches a pass against Cincinnati Bengals safety Daijahn Anthony during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is upended by Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 10, 2024
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates with defensive end George Karlaftis (56) after defeating the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 10, 2024
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce warms up against the Las Vegas Raiders prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 29, 2024
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce runs with the ball against Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 29, 2024
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce arrives prior to a game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 21, 2024.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce looks on against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium on Aug. 9, 2025 in Glendale, Ariz.
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce celebrates after a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 14, 2025
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Travis Kelce’s career in football before and after Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce leaps over Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin against the Detroit Lions during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 12, 2025
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Chiefs playoff odds
As Week 17 begins, the Chiefs have already been eliminated from the playoffs.
Kansas City had a chance to make a run at the final wild-card spot in the AFC as late as Week 15, but its loss to the Chargers on Dec. 14 officially eliminated the Chiefs from contention. The writing was on the wall for the reigning AFC champions when they lost to the Cowboys on Thanksgiving to drop to 6-6 with five weeks left. Kansas City has since lost three straight to fall to 6-9.
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It’s the first time the Chiefs have been eliminated before the AFC championship game since Mahomes took over as their starter in 2018. It’s also the first time Kansas City has missed the postseason entirely since 2014.
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AFC West standings
The AFC West division race is still a tight one with two weeks left – though the Chiefs are not in it. Kansas City does have a chance to play spoiler on Christmas as it takes on the division-leading Denver Broncos. Denver can move one step closer to clinching the AFC West title with a win but risk giving up ground with a loss.
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Here’s how the standings look entering Week 17:
Denver Broncos (12-3, 3-1 AFC West)
Los Angeles Chargers (11-4, 5-0)
Chiefs remaining schedule
The Chiefs have two divisional games left in the final two weeks of the 2025 regular season. Here’s who they have yet to play before heading into a long offseason:
AFC playoff picture
Denver Broncos (12-3; AFC West leaders)*
New England Patriots (12-3; AFC East leaders)*
Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4; AFC South leaders)*
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6; AFC North leaders)
Los Angeles Chargers (11-4; wild card No. 1)*
In the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (8-7); Baltimore Ravens (7-8)
* Denotes team that has clinched a playoff berth.
Eliminated: Kansas City Chiefs (6-9); Miami Dolphins (6-9); Cincinnati Bengals (5-10); New York Jets (3-12); Cleveland Browns (3-12); Tennessee Titans (3-12); Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are the Chiefs eliminated from the NFL playoffs?