The KC dynasty is over

[Buffalo03]

8 hours ago, HappyDays said:

 

Chiefs fans are being ridiculous talking about how Andy Reid needs to retire. I've watched every Chiefs game this year and the coaching in all three phases is still by far the best thing they have going for them. Their biggest problem is talent.

 

Rice is a very good WR, I'd say he's a borderline #1/#2. Kelce is still good but not in his prime obviously. After that is a bunch of JAGs. The IOL is still very good but with Trey Smith's injury they lose that advantage. The OTs have been a MASH unit.

 

The situation on defense is arguably even worse. Chris Jones can turn it on when he really needs to but he is not consistently as dominant as he was in his prime. Nobody else on the DL scares you at all. McDuffie is being forced into a full time outside CB role and he just can't handle big physical WRs. The rest of the secondary is middling. The LBs are good but that's not enough. Spagnuolo is holding that thing together almost entirely on his own.

 

Oh and the one thing nobody wants to talk about... Mahomes has played below his previously elite standard for the past three years. I thought he would bounce back this year but he really hasn't. He misses a ton of wide open deep throws which takes TDs off the board. His on schedule passes are too frequently off target or poorly timed. The last INT last night where everyone is clowning on Kelce, this is the picture at the catch point:

 

 

That is not really a clean drop, that is poor ball placement. It happens to every QB but it's been a bigger problem with Mahomes than anybody talks about. He can still make magic happen with his legs but that isn't sustainable over the course of an entire game, and he no longer has a defense that can keep the opponent down long enough for Mahomes to get into a groove.

 

I don't know what Chiefs fans are watching but the coaching is elevating a mediocre roster and inconsistent QB play, not the other way around.

 

It looks like Kelce handing it to him

[billieve420]

One more step closer to finally burying the Chiefs. Enjoying every moment of it.

[In Summary]

Chiefs were better when Jackson Mahomes was a dancing distraction and Swift-Kelce was just a rumor.

[GunnerBill]

13 hours ago, HappyDays said:

 

Chiefs fans are being ridiculous talking about how Andy Reid needs to retire. I've watched every Chiefs game this year and the coaching in all three phases is still by far the best thing they have going for them. Their biggest problem is talent.

 

Rice is a very good WR, I'd say he's a borderline #1/#2. Kelce is still good but not in his prime obviously. After that is a bunch of JAGs. The IOL is still very good but with Trey Smith's injury they lose that advantage. The OTs have been a MASH unit.

 

The situation on defense is arguably even worse. Chris Jones can turn it on when he really needs to but he is not consistently as dominant as he was in his prime. Nobody else on the DL scares you at all. McDuffie is being forced into a full time outside CB role and he just can't handle big physical WRs. The rest of the secondary is middling. The LBs are good but that's not enough. Spagnuolo is holding that thing together almost entirely on his own.

 

Oh and the one thing nobody wants to talk about... Mahomes has played below his previously elite standard for the past three years. I thought he would bounce back this year but he really hasn't. He misses a ton of wide open deep throws which takes TDs off the board. His on schedule passes are too frequently off target or poorly timed. The last INT last night where everyone is clowning on Kelce, this is the picture at the catch point:

 

 

That is not really a clean drop, that is poor ball placement. It happens to every QB but it's been a bigger problem with Mahomes than anybody talks about. He can still make magic happen with his legs but that isn't sustainable over the course of an entire game, and he no longer has a defense that can keep the opponent down long enough for Mahomes to get into a groove.

 

I don't know what Chiefs fans are watching but the coaching is elevating a mediocre roster and inconsistent QB play, not the other way around.

 

 

I have also watched every Chiefs game and while I agree with you on talent being by far the biggest factor I do think there have been games this year where there offensive gameplan has been really poor and disjointed. Their shotgun run game is dreadful and there are time where they really try and force feed it and get themselves behind the sticks; then they throw way too many deep balls which is exactly what teams want them to do week after week. Is that Mahomes going rogue? Maybe. But they need to cut the deep shots at least in half and they need better concepts to work the middle of the field. I think what you are seeing is that "Kelce find space and turn around" route that was their staple for many years was more about two elite players than it was design because now Kelce is not the same guy it has all but gone from the playbook. Mahomes already has a career high in rushing and rushing TDs and is only one shy of his career record in 1st downs rushing with four games remaining. And that is almost all scrambling. Without it the offense would be stuck in neutral way too often. They still have some of the best trick plays in the game and there is still nobody I'd trust more to call me an offensive play on a critical 3rd down with 4 minutes to go in a ball game than Andy Reid... but some of the fundamentals of their offensive scheme have been broken this year.

 

Matt Nagy is 100% gone after the season. He will be the sacrificial lamb for the offense. I don't know for sure what the responsibility split is between he and Reid but I suspect he does most of the gameplanning even if Andy calls a lot of it on gameday and they just haven't been clever enough. 

 

I will also say on Andy... two weeks in a row big game management errors. Going for it this week, punting in Dallas, both were the wrong call in the situation. He has always had a bit of that in him going back to his Philly days.

 

On the flipside I give Spags huge credit. I think he is turning water into if not wine then at least a refreshing light ale with that defense. He has coached his ass off this year. 

 

I think talk of firing Andy is insane. He has earned the right to go at the time of his choosing. But in the offseason I think they need to go back to the drawing board a bit with that offense. And it starts with finding a way to control the middle of the field again. Because when you don't this offense does not function at the same level.

[dcinmuncie]

Their path to the playoffs this year is extremely narrow, especially with that win by the chargers 

 

They only have three paths 

 

path one

A Buffalo collapse: 4 games to go, bills are up 3 and a half. Bills win one and that path is closed. Also assumes Kansas City is capable of winning 4 in a row 

 

path 2: 

a Texans collapse:  4 games to go, Houston is up 2 and a half games. So once again, Kansas City will have to run the table while Houston loses 3 games. Problem with that is the Texans next two games are the cardinals and raiders. So if the Texans win 2, that door is closed 

 

path 3: a complete chargers collapse 

chargers are up 3.5 games with 4 to play. This is the most likely scenario, albeit unlikely. 
chargers will have to end the season losing all 4 and the chiefs will have to run the table 

 

chargers remaining schedule is Kansas City, Dallas, Houston and Denver. This is possible to happen 

 

 

so a quick recap, the chiefs are eliminated if the bills win one of their last 4 games, the chargers win one of their last 4 games and the Texans win 2 of their last 4 games, assuming the chiefs win out. 
 

the door is slammed shut, not not quite locked. If the chargers beat them next week, the door is pretty much locked 

[Psautcsk]

On 12/8/2025 at 5:34 AM, BobbyC81 said:

If the Chiefs did indeed miss the playoffs, that would guarantee that the Bills record of appearing in 4 straight Super Bowls would still stand.

Not even the Patriots have made it 4 years in a row.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

1 hour ago, dcinmuncie said:

Their path to the playoffs this year is extremely narrow, especially with that win by the chargers 

 

They only have three paths 

 

path one

A Buffalo collapse: 4 games to go, bills are up 3 and a half. Bills win one and that path is closed. Also assumes Kansas City is capable of winning 4 in a row 

 

path 2: 

a Texans collapse:  4 games to go, Houston is up 2 and a half games. So once again, Kansas City will have to run the table while Houston loses 3 games. Problem with that is the Texans next two games are the cardinals and raiders. So if the Texans win 2, that door is closed 

 

path 3: a complete chargers collapse 

chargers are up 3.5 games with 4 to play. This is the most likely scenario, albeit unlikely. 
chargers will have to end the season losing all 4 and the chiefs will have to run the table 

 

chargers remaining schedule is Kansas City, Dallas, Houston and Denver. This is possible to happen 

 

 

so a quick recap, the chiefs are eliminated if the bills win one of their last 4 games, the chargers win one of their last 4 games and the Texans win 2 of their last 4 games, assuming the chiefs win out. 
 

the door is slammed shut, not not quite locked. If the chargers beat them next week, the door is pretty much locked 

https://www.playoffstatus.com/nfl/afcstandings.html
 

As of the conclusion of the Chargers - Eagles game, Chiefs now have a 95% probability of missing the playoffs.

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

2 hours ago, dcinmuncie said:

path 3: a complete chargers collapse 

chargers are up 3.5 games with 4 to play. This is the most likely scenario, albeit unlikely. 
chargers will have to end the season losing all 4 and the chiefs will have to run the table 

 

chargers remaining schedule is Kansas City, Dallas, Houston and Denver. This is possible to happen 

 

 

 

 

This is not quite right. Chiefs will hold the tie breaker over the Chargers as long as they of course beat the Chargers this week. That means they would need the Chargers to lose 2 of their final 3 games. Still not out of the realm of possibility with Dallas, Houston and Denver. 

 

Feels like for a while now, dating back to the Thanksgiving Dallas game, we have been saying the Chiefs are in a must win game. This weekend is finally and truly a must win for the Chiefs. 

[MikePJ76]

Nothing over until Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are done.  
 

 

[The Jokeman]

6 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I have also watched every Chiefs game and while I agree with you on talent being by far the biggest factor I do think there have been games this year where there offensive gameplan has been really poor and disjointed. Their shotgun run game is dreadful and there are time where they really try and force feed it and get themselves behind the sticks; then they throw way too many deep balls which is exactly what teams want them to do week after week. Is that Mahomes going rogue? Maybe. But they need to cut the deep shots at least in half and they need better concepts to work the middle of the field. I think what you are seeing is that "Kelce find space and turn around" route that was their staple for many years was more about two elite players than it was design because now Kelce is not the same guy it has all but gone from the playbook. Mahomes already has a career high in rushing and rushing TDs and is only one shy of his career record in 1st downs rushing with four games remaining. And that is almost all scrambling. Without it the offense would be stuck in neutral way too often. They still have some of the best trick plays in the game and there is still nobody I'd trust more to call me an offensive play on a critical 3rd down with 4 minutes to go in a ball game than Andy Reid... but some of the fundamentals of their offensive scheme have been broken this year.

 

Matt Nagy is 100% gone after the season. He will be the sacrificial lamb for the offense. I don't know for sure what the responsibility split is between he and Reid but I suspect he does most of the gameplanning even if Andy calls a lot of it on gameday and they just haven't been clever enough. 

 

I will also say on Andy... two weeks in a row big game management errors. Going for it this week, punting in Dallas, both were the wrong call in the situation. He has always had a bit of that in him going back to his Philly days.

 

On the flipside I give Spags huge credit. I think he is turning water into if not wine then at least a refreshing light ale with that defense. He has coached his ass off this year. 

 

I think talk of firing Andy is insane. He has earned the right to go at the time of his choosing. But in the offseason I think they need to go back to the drawing board a bit with that offense. And it starts with finding a way to control the middle of the field again. Because when you don't this offense does not function at the same level.

 Gotta wonder if Eric Bieniemy would ever go back? 

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

8 hours ago, In Summary said:

Chiefs were better when Jackson Mahomes was a dancing distraction and Swift-Kelce was just a rumor.

It’s crazy seeing them blame Travis who is having a way better season than he should be at 36 years old 

13 minutes ago, MikePJ76 said:

Nothing over until Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are done.  
 

 

That chargers win last night really really hurt. If the chargers lost that one I think the chiefs probably would’ve snuck in. Now if the chargers beat the broncos week 18 who very well may be resting starters chiefs are done even if the chargers lose every other game and the chiefs win out 

Edited 1 hour ago by Generic_Bills_Fan

[PoundingDog]

Well, Jaguars losing out is another avenue for the Chiefs

[JP51]

21 hours ago, billsfan_34 said:

They will re-tool and be fine next season 

Kinda like saying the Bills are over... some think so... but they have 1 of the best 4 players on the planet and they will be loving a 3rd place schedule next year as well...  their issue is going to be they now have 2 teams in conference that are gonna be good... no more 6-0 or 5-1 in conference... similar to us and the Pats... 

21 hours ago, D. L. Hot-Flamethrower said:

They're not done yet. Obviously they need to win out and can only get the 7 seed. However, I could see them as 7 seed going to 2 seed New England and winning. It's more likely than you'd think. Just remember where you heard it first!

I would take it... 

Edited 33 minutes ago by JP51

[Gregg]

I think Mr. Swift will retire after this year.

[TheFunPolice]

I can more easily find a way for the Bengals to get in than the Chiefs. 

 

Bengals need to clear the Ravens and Steelers. 

 

To clear the Ravens (6-7 currently) 

CIN needs to beat them this week.

then Ravens lose 1 game out of GB, NE (BAL needs to beat PIT specifically for this road to work, unless PIT totally collapses) 

 

CIN then passes the Ravens. 

 

To clear the Steelers (7-6 currently) 

 

PIT needs to lose to 2 out of Dolphins, Lions and Browns

AND PIT needs to lose to BAL in week 18. 

 

I would say CIN's chances of clearing Baltimore are not bad, but PIT will be tougher. Still, IMO it's easier than KC getting in. 

 

LA has too good of a defense and a coach to collapse down the stretch. 

 

 

 

Edited 25 minutes ago by TheFunPolice

[Gregg]

1 minute ago, TheFunPolice said:

I can more easily find a way for the Bengals to get in than the Chiefs. 

 

Bengals need to clear the Ravens and Steelers. 

 

To clear the Ravens (6-7 currently) 

CIN needs to beat them this week.

then Ravens lose 1 game out of GB, NE (BAL needs to beat PIT specifically for this road to work, unless PIT totally collapses) 

 

CIN then passes the Ravens. 

 

To clear the Steelers (7-6 currently) 

 

PIT needs to lose to 2 out of Dolphins, Lions and Browns

AND PIT needs to lose to BAL in week 18. 

 

I would say CIN's chances of clearing Baltimore are not bad, but PIT will be tougher. Still, IMO it's easier than KC getting in. 

 

 

 

 

The Steelers got lucky. It was a close bang-bang play but I thought that play at the end was a TD for the Ravens. He took two steps in the endzone before the ball got knocked out. I am glad the Ravens lost but IMHO that was a TD at the end which would have probably given them the victory.

[Low Positive]

3 minutes ago, TheFunPolice said:

I can more easily find a way for the Bengals to get in than the Chiefs. 

 

Bengals need to clear the Ravens and Steelers. 

 

To clear the Ravens (6-7 currently) 

CIN needs to beat them this week.

then Ravens lose 1 game out of GB, NE (BAL needs to beat PIT specifically for this road to work, unless PIT totally collapses) 

 

CIN then passes the Ravens. 

 

To clear the Steelers (7-6 currently) 

 

PIT needs to lose to 2 out of Dolphins, Lions and Browns

AND PIT needs to lose to BAL in week 18. 

 

I would say CIN's chances of clearing Baltimore are not bad, but PIT will be tougher. Still, IMO it's easier than KC getting in. 

 

LA has too good of a defense and a coach to collapse down the stretch. 

 

 

 

The Steelers are not losing to the Browns, and if the Ravens are out of it by week 18 Lamar won't be playing. And for Cincinnati to get in, they need an already-eliminated Ravens team to beat a Pittsburgh team that has everything to play for. Not likely. And the Ravens will beat Cincinnati this weekend anyway, so none of this will matter. The whole vibe around the Bengals right now is that it's all over. Hendrickson is getting season-ending surgery and Higgins will be in the concussion protocol for multiple weeks. IMO, the playoff teams in the AFC will be as they are now, with only seeding yet to be decided. The only thing perhaps to be decided is the AFC North between the Steelers and Ravens.  But I think the Steelers will win that crap show.

[TheFunPolice]

3 minutes ago, Gregg said:

 

The Steelers got lucky. It was a close bang-bang play but I thought that play at the end was a TD for the Ravens. He took two steps in the endzone before the ball got knocked out. I am glad the Ravens lost but IMHO that was a TD at the end which would have probably given them the victory.

 

IMO that would have made the Bengals path a bit easier... everyone can roll their eyes now but the Bengals are very much alive in that division because BAL and PIT have enough losses to make it viable. All the wins are concentrated in the AFC West and East and at the top of the South. 

 

Ravens are about done with a brutal closing schedule. IF Baltimore makes it it means they are playing at the top of their game going into the tournament and I would be wary of them.

 

 

Just now, Low Positive said:

The Steelers are not losing to the Browns, and if the Ravens are out of it by week 18 Lamar won't be playing. And for Cincinnati to get in, they need an already-eliminated Ravens team to beat a Pittsburgh team that has everything to play for. Not likely. And the Ravens will beat Cincinnati this weekend anyway, so none of this will matter. The whole vibe around the Bengals right now is that it's all over. Hendrickson is getting season-ending surgery and Higgins will be in the concussion protocol for multiple weeks. IMO, the playoff teams in the AFC will be as they are now, with only seeding yet to be decided. The only thing perhaps to be decided is the AFC North between the Steelers and Ravens.  But I think the Steelers will win that crap show.

 

I'm not saying it's likely to happen, just that I have seen crazier things happen with teams getting in that nobody thought was possible. 

 

PIT could lose to the Dolphins and Lions and beat the Browns in this scenario. 

 

PLUS, week 18 all of the Ravens, Bengals and Steelers would be alive in the race and all would play in this scenario, because CIN could lose week 18 and make BAL/PIT for the title.