Can the Chiefs no longer solve their biggest problem?

This isn’t the first time I’ve written an article like this one.

During the 2023 season, I wrote several similar articles. At that time, I didn’t believe the Kansas City Chiefs could make a run for the Super Bowl. But they did — and won their second straight NFL championship.

So I was wrong then — and I could be wrong now. If Kansas City turns its season around, you have my permission to laugh at me.

The Chiefs are in trouble

After a heroic 23-20 comeback victory over the Indianapolis Colts that seemed to breathe life into this season, the Chiefs recorded a 31-28 road loss to the Dallas Cowboys. They are now 6-6 and have less than a 50/50 chance to make the playoffs. The Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Chargers all won their Week 13 games, making Kansas City’s path even harder.

Any plausible scenario for the team to make the playoffs begins with winning all five of its remaining games. The Chiefs should beat the Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders, leaving games against the Chargers, Denver Broncos and Houston. All of those are at home — which is helpful. But I don’t believe Kansas City will win all of them. In fact, I think it will register yet another loss to the Texans on Sunday. If that happens, the team’s only realistic postseason hope is catching the Chargers, who could dash that dream by beating the Chiefs in Week 15.

What’s the problem?

I’m not the first to suggest that Kansas City is a better team than its 6-6 record would indicate. The metrics tend to view the Chiefs positively — especially on offense. Since the team is also 1-6 in one-score games this season (it was 11-0 in those games last season), it’s fair to say it’s had bad luck.

• If quarterback Trevor Lawrence doesn’t get up so quickly after tripping on a handoff, the Chiefs might’ve beaten the Jaguars
• If tight end Travis Kelce gets his head around, Kansas City might’ve beaten Philadelphia
• If wide receiver Rashee Rice doesn’t drop a third-and-8, the Chiefs might have beaten the Cowboys.

These are just some of the instances where games could have turned. But blaming the team’s record on bad luck ignores very real problems.

As I have suggested before, the Chiefs are having an identity crisis. They don’t have many weaknesses — which is why the metrics tend to favor them — but they don’t have many strengths, either. And that is a problem — because in big games, good teams lean into what they do best.

These teams can win in multiple ways — and their identities can change season-to-season, too. In 2019 and 2022, Kansas City won with its offense. In 2023, the Chiefs leaned on their elite defense.

But now, Kansas City’s offense and defense both have weaknesses that prevent the team from being elite.

What’s the solution?

Is it the...