The Kansas City Chiefs are in freefall. A 31-28 Thanksgiving Day defeat to the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 27, 2025, didn’t just cost them a win—it shattered their momentum, dropped them to 6-6, and shoved them into a playoff abyss they haven’t faced since 2017. After leading 14-0 after the first quarter, the Chiefs were outscored 31-14 over the final three quarters, a collapse that feels less like a bad day and more like a warning sign. This isn’t just another loss. It’s the kind that changes how you view a season.
From Dominance to Doubt
Just two weeks ago, the Kansas City Chiefs were 5-3, riding high after a 28-7 demolition of the Washington Commanders at Arrowhead. They’d won nine straight against Washington, never lost to them at home, and looked like the team to beat in the AFC. Now? They’re third in the AFC West, behind the Denver Broncos (9-2) and Los Angeles Chargers (7-4). The Kansas City Chiefs are no longer the favorites. They’re the team everyone’s chasing—and the one everyone’s betting against.
Statistically, they’re still elite in the air. At 269.8 passing yards per game, they rank second in the NFL. But their ground game? A pedestrian 118.3 yards per rush—14th in the league. And when the pressure mounts, the offense stalls. Against Dallas, they managed just 14 points after halftime. That’s not a quarterback issue. It’s a team issue. The offensive line couldn’t protect Patrick Mahomes in critical moments. The running backs couldn’t sustain drives. And the defense, once a lockdown unit, gave up 11 points in the fourth quarter after holding Dallas to just 3 in the third.
The Coaching Crossroads
Head coach Andy Reid, in his 13th season with the Chiefs, has built a legacy on resilience. But even legends get tested. This isn’t the 2020 Chiefs, who won the Super Bowl despite injuries. This isn’t even the 2023 Chiefs, who shrugged off losses and rolled through the playoffs. This team looks... tired. Mentally drained. The loss to Dallas wasn’t just a game—it was a mirror. And what it reflected wasn’t championship DNA. It was complacency.
The injuries haven’t helped. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, their best defensive end, was lost to a hamstring injury in preseason. Without him, the pass rush has been toothless. The Chiefs have just 19 sacks through 12 games—well below their 30-sack average from last year. And the secondary? They’ve allowed 22 completions of 25+ yards this season, the most in the AFC. When you’re giving up big plays like clockwork, you don’t win close games. You lose them.
The Playoff Math
Here’s the brutal truth: The Kansas City Chiefs need to win at least five of their final six games to feel safe. Five. That’s not a stretch—it’s a mountain. The schedule doesn’t care. They face the Las Vegas Raiders (2-9) in Week 14—easy, right? Then they travel to Indianapolis to face the 7-5 Colts. After that? Home against the 8-4 Buffalo Bills. Road games at the 9-3 Baltimore Ravens and 8-4 Cincinnati Bengals. And a season finale against the Chargers. One slip-up, and the playoffs vanish.
They’re tied with the Carolina Panthers at 6-6, but Carolina holds the tiebreaker. The Atlanta Falcons (4-7) and Miami Dolphins (4-7) are breathing down their necks too. The AFC wild card race isn’t a race—it’s a brawl. And the Chiefs? They’re not holding the lead. They’re clinging to the edge.
What Went Wrong?
The Chiefs’ +73 point differential looks solid on paper. But look closer. They’ve won three games by three points or fewer. They’ve lost three games by 14 or more. That’s not consistency. That’s chaos. Their offense scores 25.4 points per game—ninth in the league. But their defense allows 19.3—sixth. That’s not elite. That’s average. And in a conference where the Ravens, Bills, and Bengals all average over 27 points per game, average doesn’t cut it.
Remember their Week 7 shutout of the Raiders? 31-0. That was the last time they looked like champions. Since then? Losses to the Chargers, Commanders, and now the Cowboys. A 1-3 record in their last four. The magic’s gone. The swagger’s gone. Even the fans in Arrowhead are quiet now.
What’s Next?
The next six weeks will define Andy Reid’s legacy in Kansas City. If they make the playoffs, it’ll be a miracle. If they miss? Questions will fly. Was this the end of the dynasty? Or just a stumble before another run? The answer won’t come from stats or standings. It’ll come from how this team responds to pressure. Can they rediscover their identity? Or have they already lost it?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Chiefs still make the playoffs with a 6-6 record?
Yes—but it’s unlikely. The Chiefs need to win at least five of their final six games to have a realistic shot. They’re currently tied for the 7th seed in the AFC with Carolina. To clinch a wild card, they’ll need to outperform teams like the Dolphins, Falcons, and even the Steelers, who are 5-7. The tiebreakers are stacked against them, especially with the Chargers and Broncos ahead in the division.
Why is the Chiefs’ defense struggling despite strong overall stats?
Their defensive stats look good because they’ve played weaker offenses early. But against top-tier teams—Chargers, Cowboys, Bills—they’ve surrendered big plays. The loss of Felix Anudike-Uzomah crippled their pass rush, and their secondary has allowed 22 completions over 25 yards this season. They’re not getting pressure on the quarterback, and when they don’t, Mahomes and the offense are forced to carry too much weight.
How does this loss compare to past Chiefs collapses?
This is the most alarming since 2017, when the Chiefs finished 5-11 after a 3-1 start. Back then, they had a rookie QB and a coaching transition. This time, they’re the three-time defending AFC champs with a veteran roster. Losing to Dallas on Thanksgiving, after leading by 14, feels like a psychological blow. It’s not just about wins—it’s about belief.
What role does Andy Reid play in turning this around?
Reid has never missed the playoffs in a season where he coached all 16 games. But he’s never had a team this inconsistent at this stage of his career. His play-calling has been predictable late in games. He needs to simplify the offense, trust the run game more, and stop over-relying on deep throws. If he doesn’t adapt, the criticism will grow louder—and the front office may start asking questions.
Are the Chiefs still favorites to win the AFC?
No. Not anymore. The Ravens, Bills, and Bengals are all playing better football. The Chiefs’ offensive line is vulnerable, their defense is inconsistent, and their mental edge is gone. Even if they make the playoffs, they’d be a dangerous underdog, not a favorite. The dynasty’s aura has cracked. Whether it breaks depends on the next six weeks.
What’s the biggest concern for the Chiefs moving forward?
The biggest concern isn’t the schedule or injuries—it’s momentum. When a team loses three straight games by double digits, it’s not just about Xs and Os. It’s about confidence. The players look hesitant. The crowd feels uneasy. And when the quarterback starts second-guessing his reads, the whole machine slows down. Fixing that takes leadership. And right now, the Chiefs need more than coaching—they need a spark.