Arrowhead Pride
The Kansas City Chiefs suffered a disappointing 31-28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in front of a national audience on Thanksgiving Day. The Chiefs have dug themselves into a trench they have to climb out of to make the postseason. The collective power rankings reflect the dire position Kansas City is in.
Here’s this week’s sampling:
(Down from 12)
The road loss to the Cowboys all but made it a must-run-the-table situation for the Chiefs. There might be a one-loss avenue to the playoffs, but let’s start with whether this team is capable of ripping off five straight to close out the regular season. The Chiefs won five of six games earlier this year. They had win streaks of nine and six games last season. We know they’re capable. Just look at the point differential (plus-73) or their touchdown differential (10 more than their opponents). But will they do it? Close games have not been their friend this season after it was their lifeblood a year ago. Which is why we can’t assume they can replicate anything of 2024 magnitude this time around, with three tough games left. I’ll never truly bury the Chiefs, and they’re better than their record would indicate, but it’s going to take a heroic effort from the future Hall of Fame trio to prevent us from not seeing them in the playoffs for the first time.
— Eric Edholm
(Down from 12)
X factor for final stretch: Wide receiver Rashee Rice
After missing the first six games while serving a suspension, Rice has been a difference-maker for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Alongside tight end Travis Kelce, Rice will need to continue to elevate his play, in particular his ability to gain yards after the catch, to keep the Chiefs’ playoff hopes alive. Mahomes will likely need to rely even more on short passes to Rice because Kansas City is dealing with numerous injuries along its offensive line.
— Nate Taylor
(Down from 10)
Best-case scenario: Just get to the playoffs
If they reach the postseason, they’ll be the team no one wants to play, given their experience and quarterback. But for the first time this season, our playoff simulator gives them less than a 50 percent chance of reaching the playoffs, which is hard to imagine in the midst of Patrick Mahomes’ prime.
— Josh Kendall
(Down from 8)
The Chiefs are backed up and facing a weekly do-or-die scenario in order to reach the playoffs. Andy Reid wants you to know that he’s going to…tickle your throat?…on every play between now and then?
In all seriousness, don’t Urban Dictionary this one.
— Conor Orr
(Down from 13)
If it was any other team, we’d say they have no chance. The Chiefs aren’t any other team.
— Mike Florio
(Down from 11)
It’s hard to believe they are...
