ClutchPoints
The Kansas City Chiefs have been through a lot of struggles during the 2025 season, but now they are of out of room for error. Coming into Week 14, the Chiefs are sitting at 6-6 and are currently on the outside of the playoff picture in the AFC.
The Chiefs have seemed to be turning a corner at some points this season, and their efficiency numbers are still very strong especially on offense. However, with the AFC wild card picture looking very strong and the Chiefs having already lost to other Wild Card teams such as the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars, it appears that Kansas City may need to win its final five games to get a playoff spot.
That is bad news for the Chiefs coming into a game against the Houston Texans, arguably the hottest team in football. Houston had some identity problems on offense at the start of the season and an injury to CJ Stroud halted its progress over the middle portion of the schedule, but now Stroud is back and leading a competent offense to complement arguably there best defense in the NFL.
That is bad news for a Chiefs team that can’t afford another loss. Patrick Mahomes and company will have to overcome their toughest test of the season to stay alive in the race, and if they can’t, they will rue the missed opportunities earlier in the season when they’re watching the playoffs from the couch.
After missing both Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice at the start of the season, the Chiefs have been relatively healthy on offense for much of the middle part of the season. Now, however, the offensive line is extremely banged up heading into Week 14.
Star guard Trey Smith missed the Chiefs’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Week 13 due to an ankle injury and has not practiced leading up to the Texans game. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor also has missed practice this week due to triceps and knee injuries, and both are listed as doubtful for Sunday night. On top of that, rookie left tackle Josh Simmons is also out with a wrist injury that he suffered on Thanksgiving.
All of that is to say that Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter will be licking their chops coming into this game against a Chiefs team that doesn’t exactly have great depth up front. The Texans don’t blitz a lot, but their dynamic duo on the edge can get after any offensive line, and everything is setting up for them to have a field day on Sunday night.
Anderson has emerged as one of the best overall players in the NFL this season and would be the Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner if Myles Garrett wasn’t on pace to shatter the single-season sack record. On top of his 10.5 sacks, Anderson is second in the NFL with 30 quick pressures and is tied for the league...
