Many in the NFL community are surprised by the Kansas City Chiefs’ recent struggles. The partnership between Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid has been nearly unbeatable since it began.
The reality of the NFL is that if you’re not continuously improving, you’re falling behind. We’re so accustomed to dynasties that the Chiefs’ dominance may now seem fleeting. We used to believe Mahomes could always somehow secure an unexpected victory.
Entering Week 15 needing a win, the Chiefs couldn’t beat the Los Angeles Chargers in a low-scoring affair, as the Chargers survived 16-13. That all ended Kansas City’s hopes of making the postseason.
Here’s more on why the Chiefs will not be playing in the playoffs this year.
MORE WEEK 15 NFL:
Chiefs playoff picture
Heading into Week 15, the Chiefs sat on the bubble with possession of the No. 10 seed. Unfortunately, nothing went their way.
Next Gen Stats gave Kansas City an 11% chance to make the postseason, but they’d need plenty of things to go right. However, with the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars winning along with the Chiefs loss to the Chargers, Kansas City is now eliminated from the playoffs.
Here is how the AFC playoff picture looks through Week 15. The first four seeds are the division leaders.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Denver Broncos | 11-2 |
| 2 | New England Patriots | 11-3 |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 10-4 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 7-6 |
| 5 | Los Angeles Chargers | 10-4 |
| 6 | Buffalo Bills | 10-4 |
| 7 | Houston Texans | 9-5 |
| 8 | Indianapolis Colts | 8-5 |
| 9 | Baltimore Ravens | 7-7 |
| 10 | Miami Dolphins | 6-7 |
| 11 | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-8 |
| 12 | Cincinnati Bengals | 4-10 |
| 13 | New York Jets | 3-11 |
| 14 | Cleveland Browns | 3-11 |
| 15 | Las Vegas Raiders | 2-12 |
| 16 | Tennessee Titans | 2-11 |
AFC West standings
| Team | Record |
| Denver Broncos | 11-2 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 10-4 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 6-8 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 2-12 |
The Chiefs will finish the season in third place in the AFC West, and are in danger of having their first losing season since 2013.
Chiefs remaining schedule
The Chiefs’ remaining opponents include two games where they’ll be firm favorites and a challenge against a divisional foe.
The Tennessee Titans and the Las Vegas Raiders are two winnable games for the Chiefs. However, the Denver Broncos have posed a threat to the entire league with that elite defense.
Here is a look at Kansas City’s remaining schedule.
| Week | Opponent |
| 16 | at Titans |
| 17 | vs. Broncos |
| 18 | at Raiders |
