season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-playoff-picture-updated-dvoa-athletic-espn-model-odds-week-15');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chiefs playoff picture: Updated DVOA, The Athletic, ESPN model odds before Week 15');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Updated-DVOA-The-Athletic-ESPN-model-odds-before-Week-15.jpg"></figure><h1>Chiefs playoff picture: Updated DVOA, The Athletic, ESPN model odds before Week 15</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-12T19:25:46-08:00">December 12th, 7:25pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-12T19:25:46-08:00">December 12th, 7:25pm</time><address><a href="http://hoopnut.blogspot.com/">Enzo Flojo</a>Enzo Flojo is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints and a columnist for Asian basketball at FIBA. He brings a dynamic spirit and background, having expertise that spans writing, analytics, coaching, and broadcasting. He is also currently an Assistant Coach on Scouting &amp; Analytics for the Philippine national youth basketball team.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/chargers-chiefs-bold-predictions-week-15-clash">The Kansas City Chiefs enter Week 15</a> staring at a reality few could have imagined just months ago. Their postseason chase now depends as much on outside help as it does on their own execution. Long considered the AFC’s gold standard, Kansas City instead finds itself teetering on the playoff bubble. Advanced models paint a grim picture as Patrick Mahomes and company prepare for a season-defining matchup. With analytics narrowing the margin for error to nearly zero, the Chiefs’ playoff picture has become one of the most precarious storylines of the 2025 NFL season.</p><h2><b>Chiefs’ 2025 season so far</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chiefs-2.jpg"><figcaption>Amy Kontras-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Chiefs are facing a deeply disappointing 2025 NFL season. They enter Week 15 with a subpar 6-7 record and sit outside the AFC’s top 7 teams. The season has been marked by inconsistency, poor ball security (Patrick Mahomes has thrown two interceptions to three fumbles), and a recent string of poor performances. In fact, they have lost four of their last five games. The offense has struggled significantly with turnovers and efficiency. This has led to the team’s lowest point totals since Mahomes became the starter. Consequently, various projection models from ESPN, The Athletic, and FTN Fantasy now give the Chiefs a mere 10% to 12% chance of making the postseason. That makes their Week 15 game against the Los Angeles Chargers practically a must-win scenario.</p><p>Here we will look at and discuss the Kansas City Chiefs playoff picture, including their updated DVOA and The Athletic, ESPN model odds before Week 15.</p><h2><b>FTN Fantasy DVOA and odds</b></h2><p><a href="https://ftnfantasy.com/nfl/dvoa-playoff-odds" rel="noopener">According to FTN Fantasy’s DVOA and DAVE models</a>, the Chiefs’ outlook entering Week 15 is bleak and bordering on untenable. The analytics assign Kansas City just a 13.2% chance of reaching the postseason at 6–7. Again, that’s a stunning fall for a team long viewed as playoff-proof. Even more damning is the Week 15 inflection point: a loss to the Chargers would crater those odds to below 1%. That would effectively end the Chiefs’ playoff chase before December is out. FTN’s models also make it clear that the AFC West is no longer in play. They note that Kansas City has practically no chance of winning the division. That reality underscores how dramatically the balance of power has shifted in a division the Chiefs once dominated with routine inevitability.</p><h2><b>ESPN playoff odds</b></h2><p>ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) and analytics <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46139564/2025-nfl-playoff-picture-afc-nfc-seed-predictions-odds-super-bowl" rel="noopener">reinforce that same grim assessment</a>. They place the Chiefs’ playoff chances at only 11%, exclusively as a Wild Card hopeful. What makes ESPN’s projection especially sobering is the limited upside even in best-case scenarios. If Kansas City does make the postseason, ESPN projects them to be no higher than the 7th seed. That’s largely due to unfavorable tiebreakers and congestion in the AFC Wild Card race. Even a crucial Week 15 win would move the needle only slightly. In other words, victories alone may not save the Chiefs. They also need chaos elsewhere.</p><h2><b>The Athletic odds</b></h2><p>The Athletic’s playoff simulator <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nfl-playoff-picture/2025/" rel="noopener">arrives at a similarly unforgiving conclusion</a>. They place Kansas City’s current postseason probability at approximately 12%. That’s largely in line with ESPN and FTN. Like the other models, The Athletic identifies Week 15 as a potential breaking point. A loss to the Chargers could mathematically eliminate them as early as Sunday. Even in winning scenarios, the simulator emphasizes how narrow Kansas City’s path has become. The Chiefs would need to win out while also receiving significant help from multiple teams across the AFC Wild Card field. That’s a scenario that leaves little room for error and zero margin for bad luck.</p><h2><b>What it all means for Kansas City</b></h2><p>Across every major analytical model, the conclusion is unmistakable. The Chiefs are running out of time. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-brown-3-patrick-mahomes-protectors-ruled-out-vs-chargers">Injuries along the offensive line</a> have erased the structural advantages that once made Kansas City inevitable. Again, that has left Mahomes to operate under constant pressure and shrinking the playbook in critical moments. Yes, Mahomes remains capable of singular, game-breaking brilliance. That said, the margin for error is gone, and the numbers reflect it. Week 15 is no longer a stepping stone or a measuring stick. It’s a genuine test of survival. A loss would all but end the Chiefs’ season. At the same time, even a win merely keeps them breathing in a Wild Card race that offers no guarantees.</p><h2><b>Bottom line</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Houstons-defense-scrambles-Patrick-Mahomes.jpg"><figcaption>Denny Medley-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Chiefs’ playoff picture before Week 15 is as stark as it gets. Advanced metrics, simulations, and odds all indicate <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-look-absolutely-dead-in-the-water-heres-why-they-could-still-go-full-undertaker">that Kansas City must win now</a> and continue winning just to remain relevant. Even then, their fate won’t be entirely their own. Tiebreakers and external results loom large. For a franchise that has defined the AFC in January for nearly a decade, the irony is striking. The aura is fading, the safety net is gone, and one of the NFL’s most remarkable runs is now racing against the clock, with no certainty of a final chapter.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chiefs playoff picture: Updated DVOA, The Athletic, ESPN model odds before Week 15

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-brown-3-patrick-mahomes-protectors-ruled-out-vs-chargers');   ga('set', 'title', 'The Chiefs rule out Hollywood Brown, 3 Patrick Mahomes protectors vs. Chargers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Chiefs-WR-Hollywood-Brown.jpg"><figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>The Chiefs rule out Hollywood Brown, 3 Patrick Mahomes protectors vs. Chargers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-12T13:27:30-08:00">December 12th, 1:27pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-12T13:27:30-08:00">December 12th, 1:27pm</time><address><a>Jake Faigus</a>Jake Faigus graduated from the University of Arizona in 2022 and has written for several publications and websites. He has had stops at Catena Media, Playmaker, DraftKings, USA Today, Spike Up, and Spotlight Sports Group. He also writes for Sporting News and works at iHeartMedia in Phoenix when he is not writing for ClutchPoints.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Chiefs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Kansas City Chiefs are in do-or-die mode for the rest of the season. They sit at 6-7 and are already out of the division race in the AFC West. The Chiefs need to keep winning to stay in the playoff mix over these next three weeks. It starts with this game against the Chargers, and they need all hands on deck, but they received bad news on offense before the game due to injuries, even with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-patrick-mahomes-full-participant-practice-suffering-knee-injury-texans" rel="noopener">Patrick Mahomes being good to go</a>.</p><p>According to NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero, the Chiefs are missing WR Hollywood Brown for personal reasons, and three offensive linemen, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor, and Wanya Morris, are all out due to injuries. This game will mark another week of the Chiefs <a href="https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1999569470147174701?s=20" rel="noopener">being shorthanded on the offensive side of the ball</a>, which has been a key aspect behind their struggles as a team.</p><p>The Chiefs need all the help they can get on offense, and the fact that Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed he would be out due to personal reasons leaves the receiving corps shorthanded. Hollywood Brown is behind Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy in importance to this offense, but he is second on the team in separation rate, which would have been huge against the Chargers.</p><p>Chiefs right guard Trey Smith is not quite ready yet, according to HC Andy Reid. He gave it a go in practice this week, knowing that the team could really use him back. However, with both high and low ankle sprains, returning so soon was always a long shot, and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-trey-smith-downgraded-week-15-injury-report-chargers-game" rel="noopener">he was downgraded before the weekend</a>.</p><p>With Morris and Taylor out, it’s paving the way for Esa Pole’s first career start and another start for Jaylon Moore. The Chargers have a solid defensive line led by Khalil Mack, and they can capitalize on the offensive line’s issues.</p><p>Defensively, it looks like the Chiefs will have linebacker Nick Bolton available, and cornerback Trent McDuffie seems like a game-time decision, as he is listed as questionable.</p><p>Every team has injuries at this time of year, but the Chiefs needed all the help they could get, given how desperate they are. It remains to be seen how much of a difference this will make at home.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

The Chiefs rule out Hollywood Brown, 3 Patrick Mahomes protectors vs. Chargers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-trey-smith-downgraded-week-15-injury-report-chargers-game');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chiefs’ Trey Smith downgraded on Week 15 injury report before Chargers game');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Kansas-City-Chiefs-guard-Trey-Smith-65-at-the-line-of-scrimmage-against-the-Baltimore-Ravens-during-the-game-at-GEHA-Field-at-Arrowhead-Stadium.jpg"><figcaption>Denny Medley-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Chiefs’ Trey Smith downgraded on Week 15 injury report before Chargers game</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-11T20:03:58-08:00">December 11th, 8:03pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-11T20:03:58-08:00">December 11th, 8:03pm</time><address><a href="http://hoopnut.blogspot.com/">Enzo Flojo</a>Enzo Flojo is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints and a columnist for Asian basketball at FIBA. He brings a dynamic spirit and background, having expertise that spans writing, analytics, coaching, and broadcasting. He is also currently an Assistant Coach on Scouting &amp; Analytics for the Philippine national youth basketball team.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Chiefs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line concerns took another worrying turn Thursday. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-trey-smith-injury-update-patrick-mahomes-help-in-week-15">The team downgraded Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith</a> to limited participation after practicing fully the day before. Smith suffered an ankle injury in the Week 12 win over the Colts. This regression in his status raises real questions about his availability for Sunday’s pivotal AFC West showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers.</p><p>The Chiefs currently sit at 6-7. They are clinging to postseason relevance. Any uncertainty up front is magnified with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-patrick-mahomes-full-participant-practice-suffering-knee-injury-texans">Patrick Mahomes needing protection</a> against one of the league’s more physical defensive fronts.</p><p>Kansas City has had to endure instability in the trenches this season. Through 14 weeks, the Chiefs have already cycled through 17 different offensive line combinations. That’s an unthinkable number for a team built around continuity and execution. Season-ending injuries to left tackle Josh Simmons (wrist) and swing tackle Wanya Morris (knee), <a href="https://x.com/danielrpopper/status/1999249372274642956" rel="noopener">combined with lingering issues for Jawaan Taylor</a> (triceps/ankle), have left Andy Reid patching together solutions weekly.</p><p>Despite Mahomes still producing at a high level and a defense ranked seventh in points allowed, the Chiefs have slid to the AFC’s No. 10 seed. They are two games off the Wild Card line with only slim playoff odds remaining.</p><p>Week 15 now looms as a near must-win. Kansas City heads west to face a surging 9-4 Chargers squad riding momentum after a statement victory over Philadelphia. The rematch of their Week 1 loss puts immediate pressure on a battered line. They will have to deal with slowing down Khalil Mack and company. If Smith is limited or unavailable, the margin for error shrinks even further. For the Chiefs’ fading playoff hopes, stabilizing the offensive line may be the single biggest factor standing between survival and an early offseason.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chiefs’ Trey Smith downgraded on Week 15 injury report before Chargers game

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-trey-smith-injury-update-patrick-mahomes-help-in-week-15');   ga('set', 'title', 'Trey Smith injury update suggests Patrick Mahomes could be getting some help in Week 15');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Trey-Smith-injury-update-suggests-Patrick-Mahomes-could-be-getting-some-help-in-Week-15.jpg"><figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Trey Smith injury update suggests Patrick Mahomes could be getting some help in Week 15</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-10T20:42:24-08:00">December 10th, 8:42pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-10T20:42:24-08:00">December 10th, 8:42pm</time><address><a>Allan Binoy</a>Allan Binoy is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NCAA Football, and NBA for ClutchPoints. With a deep passion for storytelling and analysis, he brings fans closer to the action by breaking down the biggest moments and storylines across the world of sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Chiefs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Kansas City Chiefs got a welcome injury bump Wednesday when guard Trey Smith returned to full participation on the club’s Week 15 practice report, a sign the offensive line could stabilize ahead of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/chargers-chiefs-bold-predictions-week-15-clash">Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers</a>. Smith had missed time and was listed as doubtful earlier this month with an ankle issue.  </p><p>Quarterback <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-patrick-mahomes-full-participant-practice-suffering-knee-injury-texans">Patrick Mahomes also logged a full practice</a>, and the report showed several of his top pass-catchers and blockers were trending the right way. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Rashee Rice, and tight end Noah Gray all practiced fullyon  Wednesday, giving Mahomes more dependable options as Kansas City tries to right its season.  </p><p>The injury report came via the Chiefs’ <a href="https://x.com/KCChiefs_Matt/status/1998900674042777789?s=20" rel="noopener">official release</a> and was shared by senior team reporter Matt McMullen on X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>Defensively, Trent McDuffie was limited in practice after leaving last week’s game with a knee problem, something the Chiefs will monitor closely given the Chargers’ dynamic passing attack. The team also continues to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-lose-another-o-lineman-to-season-ending-injury">nurse the losses it suffered</a> against the Houston Texans, when multiple starters missed or exited due to injury.  </p><p>Smith’s full participation matters beyond just run blocking. With Jawaan Taylor and Wanya Morris dealing with arm and knee issues recently, having Smith available helps the Chiefs protect Mahomes and maintain more consistent line rotations. That stability could be the difference in a matchup that will test Kansas City’s offensive cohesion.  </p><p>Coach Andy Reid has repeatedly stressed he wants to get playmakers on the field and build continuity heading into the stretch run. Wednesday’s report offers a little breathing room. Mahomes has more weapons healthy, and the offensive front looks less fragile than it did a week ago. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-look-absolutely-dead-in-the-water-heres-why-they-could-still-go-full-undertaker">Chiefs still must translate that progress</a> into cleaner play on Sunday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Trey Smith injury update suggests Patrick Mahomes could be getting some help in Week 15

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-patrick-mahomes-full-participant-practice-suffering-knee-injury-texans');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes a full participant in practice after suffering knee injury vs. Texans');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/USATSI_27263946.jpg"><figcaption>Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><h1>Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes a full participant in practice after suffering knee injury vs. Texans</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-10T14:32:11-08:00">December 10th, 2:32pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-10T14:41:39-08:00">December 10th, 2:41pm</time><address><a>Rexwell Villas</a>Rexwell Villas is an experienced sports writer covering a variety of sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college football. He's a Communications Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, and he claims to have JR Smith's conscience with his shot selection. He has won a basketball, a baseball, and a football championship in fantasy all within a year.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Chiefs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Kansas City Chiefs superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ name popped up on the team’s injury report heading into a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/chargers-chiefs-bold-predictions-week-15-clash">Week 15 showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers</a> at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, but he is expected to see action for that contest.</p><p>Mahomes, who hurt his knee late in Week 14’s home loss at the hands of the Houston Texans, was <a href="https://www.chiefs.com/team/injury-report/" rel="noopener">listed as a full participant</a> in Kansas City’s practice on Wednesday — a good sign for his chances to suit up and play against Justin Herbert and the Chargers.</p><p>The three-time Super Bowl champion quarterback struggled mightily to get it going on offense against the Texans. Operating behind a banged-up offensive line, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-most-to-blame-for-critical-loss-to-texans-on-sunday-night-football">Patrick Mahomes threw for just 160 passing yards</a> with zero touchdowns on 14-of-33 pass completions. He was also intercepted thrice and sacked twice for a loss of 12 yards. Mahomes rushed seven times for 59 rushing yards but never reached the end zone.</p><p>Still, Mahomes is clearly needed on the field for the Chiefs if they are to pull off a miracle and make the NFL playoffs. Entering Week 15, Kansas City is No. 10 in the AFC standings with a 6-7 record and only four games remaining on its 2025 NFL regular-season schedule. With the Broncos already with 11 wins, the Chiefs no longer have a shot at winning the AFC West division.</p><p>If anything, Week 15’s game against the Chargers is an opportunity for Kansas City to avenge its <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/los-angeles-chargers/chargers-news-la-fans-go-bananas-win-chiefs">Week 1 loss in Brazil to Los Angeles</a>. In that contest, Mahomes went 24-of-39 for 258 passing yards and a touchdown with zero interceptions in a 27-21 loss at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes a full participant in practice after suffering knee injury vs. Texans

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-travis-kelce-cant-figure-out-reason-hes-stinking-it-up');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chiefs’ Travis Kelce can’t figure out ‘f*****g reason’ he’s stinking it up');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Nov-23-2025-Kansas-City-Missouri-USA-Kansas-City-Chiefs-tight-end-Travis-Kelce-87-warms-up.jpg"><figcaption>© Denny Medley-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Chiefs’ Travis Kelce can’t figure out ‘f*****g reason’ he’s stinking it up</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-10T09:46:12-08:00">December 10th, 9:46am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-10T09:55:58-08:00">December 10th, 9:55am</time><address><a>Malik Brown</a>Malik Brown is a multimedia reporter based in Atlanta who covers the Hawks and Dream for ClutchPoints. Malik has worked in entertainment and sports, and he specializes in the NBA and NFL.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Chiefs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Kansas City <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-look-absolutely-dead-in-the-water-heres-why-they-could-still-go-full-undertaker">Chiefs have not looked like the team</a> many have known them to be for the past decade. One reason has been the offense and how underwhelming it’s been, even with them being healthy. Travis Kelce has been one of the main culprits, and he had his worst game of the season against the Houston Texans, having more drops than receptions.</p><p>Kelce recently spoke about his play on the New Heights podcast, and he <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47267191/chiefs-travis-kelce-just-find-answers-season" rel="noopener">can’t seem to figure out</a> what’s going on.</p><p>“You put in all this f—ing work and hope that it pays off,” Kelce said.  “And right now, it’s just for whatever f—ing reason, man, it’s little things. I feel like I’ve always had the answers in years past. And this year, I just can’t find them.</p><p>“I keep thinking if I show up to work and I put in the work and I fix the issues through my practice habits and through perfecting the game plan and my fundamentals and what I’m being taught, and go out there and try and play my ass off for my guys next to me, it’s all going to come together like it has in years past. And this year it is just not, man.”</p><p>In their game against the Texans, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-travis-kelce-career-first-fuel-washed-allegations">Kelce dropped back-to-back passes</a> in the fourth quarter, and the second one led to an interception with the Chiefs already trailing. They ended up losing the game, and they are now 6-7 with no chance at winning the division title for the ninth straight season.</p><p>Kelce has always been Patrick Mahomes’ right-hand man, but this season, they have not been able to get in sync with each other. With Kelce possibly thinking about retiring after this season, they don’t have long to try and fix some of these issues so they can make it to the postseason.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chiefs’ Travis Kelce can’t figure out ‘f*****g reason’ he’s stinking it up

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-rumors-espn-insider-proposes-free-agency-signing-finally-replace-tyreek-hill');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chiefs rumors: ESPN insider proposes free agency signing to finally replace Tyreek Hill');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Indianapolis-Colts-WR-Alec-Pierce.jpg"><figcaption>Barry Reeger-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Chiefs rumors: ESPN insider proposes free agency signing to finally replace Tyreek Hill</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-10T07:18:48-08:00">December 10th, 7:18am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-10T07:18:48-08:00">December 10th, 7:18am</time><address><a>Ben Strauss</a>Ben Strauss is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is a die-hard NFL fan who cheers for the Detroit Lions. He has previously written fantasy football content for IDPGuys and ImportantNonsense.com.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Chiefs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Kansas City <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-chase-daniel-drops-bold-super-bowl-take-despite-dwindling-playoff-path">Chiefs are in danger of missing the playoffs</a> for the first time since 2014. Kansas City is 6-7 headed into their <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/chargers-chiefs-bold-predictions-week-15-clash">Week 15 matchup against LA</a> and one more loss could end their postseason hopes. It is understandable that some Chiefs fans, and the national media, are turning their attention to the offseason.</p><p>ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler made a bold suggestion in an article published ahead of Week 15. When asked what <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47257276/nfl-week-15-buzz-news-updates-fantasy-intel-questions-predictions" rel="noopener">one realistic offseason move</a> could be for the Chiefs, Fowler suggested they sign Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce.</p><p>“The Chiefs and Ravens are both teams that need a classic boundary receiver on the outside and could address that with one big move in free agency,” Fowler wrote on Wednesday. “George Pickens would be a significant upgrade in Baltimore, and Alec Pierce would satisfy that need in Kansas City, which has been starved for explosive playmaking on the outside since Tyreek Hill was traded after the 2021 season.”</p><p>Pierce has 38 receptions for 769 yards and two touchdowns in 2025. He is matching the pace he set during his breakout campaign in 2024, where he had 37 receptions for 824 yards and seven touchdowns.</p><p>Pierce is a prototypical deep threat and the Colts have used him that way throughout his career. That explains why he has a whopping 20.2 average yards per reception.</p><p>Naturally, that could make him an ideal fit in Kansas City’s offense. Especially if they want to get back to pushing the ball deep down the field.</p><p>He ran a 4-41 40-yard dash during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. He may not have the elite speed that Tyreek does, but he is still a capable deep threat in the NFL. But the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/nfl-news-xavier-worthy-makes-combine-history-breaks-40-time-record">Chiefs already have pure speed in Xavier Worthy</a>.</p><p>Kansas City may need to look for cheap solutions this offseason, as <a href="https://overthecap.com/calculator/kansas-city-chiefs" rel="noopener">their salary cap is becoming an issue</a>.</p><p>“The Chiefs are much lower on space, sitting at minus-$42.8 million, but cuts are on the way for a team that might look drastically different this time next year,” Fowler added. “Also, adding an explosive running back such as Breece Hall or Travis Etienne Jr. is worth exploring for Kansas City.”</p><p>It will be fascinating to see how the Chiefs approach the offseason, especially if they do miss the playoffs.</p><p>But for now, the Chiefs will continue to take things one game at a time and see what happens next.</p><p>Chiefs vs. Chargers kicks off at 1PM ET on Sunday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chiefs rumors: ESPN insider proposes free agency signing to finally replace Tyreek Hill

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-solve-biggest-offensive-flaw-in-latest-espn-nfl-mock-draft');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chiefs solve biggest offensive flaw in latest ESPN NFL mock draft');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chiefs-1.jpg"><figcaption>Amy Kontras-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Chiefs solve biggest offensive flaw in latest ESPN NFL mock draft</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-10T07:09:33-08:00">December 10th, 7:09am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-10T07:09:33-08:00">December 10th, 7:09am</time><address><a href="https://www.downeuclid.com">Evan Dammarell</a>Evan Dammarell is an award-winning sports journalist covering all things Cleveland, including the Cavs, right off the shores of Lake Erie. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Chiefs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As the Kansas City Chiefs navigate an uneven 2025 campaign and stare down an offseason full of questions, one flaw has repeatedly defined their offensive ceiling. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-kansas-city-running-back-boost-bills-showdown">Kansas City has not been able to run the football with the consistency</a> needed to support Patrick Mahomes, and ESPN’s latest 2026 NFL mock draft <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/47243299/2026-nfl-mock-draft-first-round-predictions-32-picks-field-yates" rel="noopener">suggests</a> a bold, but logical, solution <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-look-absolutely-dead-in-the-water-heres-why-they-could-still-go-full-undertaker">for the Chiefs</a>.</p><p>ESPN projects Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love to Kansas City at No. 14 overall, a move that would give the Chiefs the explosive workhorse they have lacked since their championship offenses peaked earlier in the decade. Love’s production and profile highlight why analysts believe he could reshape the Chiefs’ attack. The Heisman Trophy finalist has forced 60 missed tackles on 199 carries this season, averaged 6.4 yards per attempt, and added more than 250 receiving yards, all while showing the blend of size, balance, and burst that Kansas City has been missing.</p><p>It is a scenario that has picked up real momentum. Former Chiefs lineman and Notre Dame alum Tim Grunhard has publicly campaigned for Kansas City to target Love, calling him a natural fit for Andy Reid’s system. With Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt both scheduled to hit free agency and rookie Brashard Smith still developing, the position may be the roster’s biggest long-term vulnerability.</p><h2><b>The Chiefs could use a jolt on the ground</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chiefs-2.jpg"><figcaption>Amy Kontras-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Kansas City’s running backs are averaging just 3.8 yards per carry this season, and the ground game’s inconsistency has forced Mahomes into heavier-than-ideal passing burdens. The front office has been reluctant to reinvest premium capital at the position since the Clyde Edwards-Helaire miss in 2020. Yet Love’s versatility and playmaking ability present a compelling exception.</p><p>If the Chiefs continue to hover in the middle of the standings, they could sit in Love’s draft range, an unusual but potentially pivotal opportunity. Pairing Mahomes with a dynamic, every-down runner would not only stabilize the offense but also reignite the fear Kansas City once commanded.</p><p>For a team searching for answers, the mock draft’s message is clear: solving the run game might be the key to unlocking the Chiefs’ next championship window.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chiefs solve biggest offensive flaw in latest ESPN NFL mock draft

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/nfl-stories/chargers-chiefs-bold-predictions-week-15-clash');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chargers vs. Chiefs bold predictions for Week 15 clash');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chargers-vs-Chiefs-bold-predictions-for-Week-15-clash.jpg"></figure><h1>Chargers vs. Chiefs bold predictions for Week 15 clash</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-10T05:53:08-08:00">December 10th, 5:53am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-10T05:53:08-08:00">December 10th, 5:53am</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy is a Senior Editor at ClutchPoints, with expertise in MLB, NHL and golf. Chris graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Chargers face the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday afternoon. This is not a primetime matchup, won’t have Tony Romo on the call, and could end a dynasty. Things have changed since the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-andy-reid-says-no-excuses-after-week-1-loss-chargers">Week 1 matchup in Brazil</a>, but there are still playoff implications in this game. Before the Chiefs and Chargers square off on Sunday, we have the bold predictions for the matchup.</p><p>The Chargers won the first matchup in Brazil back in September. That sent Kansas City to 0-1 on their way to an 0-2 start to the season. Despite their dynasty pieces staying healthy and Patrick Mahomes putting up some good numbers, Kansas City is on the brink of missing the playoffs. The Chiefs need to win this game, but that has been hard for them to do this year.</p><p>With the Chiefs and Chargers squaring up for their AFC West rivalry, we have the bold prediction ready.</p><h2><b>Rashee Rice bounces back with touchdown for Chiefs</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Rashee-Rice-Travis-Kelce-leave-fans-stunned-with-key-drops-vs-Texans-v1.jpg"><figcaption>Amy Kontras-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-most-to-blame-for-critical-loss-to-texans-on-sunday-night-football">Chiefs had the Houston Texans on the ropes on Sunday Night Football</a> in Week 14. CJ Stroud could not move the offense, but Mahomes wasn’t lighting up the scoreboard either. With 10:22 to go, KC went for 4th and 1 on their own 31-yard line with the game tied at 10. The ball bounced off Rashee Rice’s hands, giving Houston an easy touchdown that just about ended the game. On Sunday, Rice will bounce back with a touchdown on Sunday.</p><p>Through the Chiefs’ early-season struggles, Rice was seen as the savior. He was suspended for the first six games of the season, but has put together a solid season since. His drops have become an issue, but he is still the top target for Mahomes. He has 46 catches for 520 yards on the season with six total touchdowns in just seven games.</p><p>The Chiefs need this win, and the pressure will be on the shoulders of Mahomes down the stretch. Rice is his top target and his security blanket, as Xavier Worthy and Travis Kelce both have their struggles throughout the year. Something will go right for the Chiefs on Sunday, with a Rice touchdown.</p><h2><b>Omarion Hampton crushes it on the ground</b></h2><p>On Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Chargers came flying out of the gates. Kimani Vidal and Omarion Hampton combined for most of the yardage, with Hampton picking up the receiving touchdown to start the game. The rest of the game was a disaster for LA’s offense, partially thanks to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/los-angeles-chargers/chargers-news-look-cast-justin-herbert-wearing-protect-left-hand-surgery">Justin Herbert’s broken left hand</a>. But on Sunday, Hampton will crush it for the entire game. The rookie will rack up 100 total yards and a touchdown.</p><p>Hampton had been out since Week 5 with an ankle injury before returning in Week 14. The Chargers made due without him, largely thanks to Vidal’s emergence. Hampton was drafted in the first round to be the bellcow, however, which he will be on Sunday.</p><p>Herbert’s injury was a big part of Monday’s win. There were turnovers all over the field, and the Eagles’ defense swarmed with the game on the line. The Chargers’ defense was the reason they won that game, but the offense will pull its weight against the Chiefs.</p><h2><b>The Chargers will put the Chiefs on the brink with a win</b></h2><p>Week 15 could be the end of the modern Chiefs dynasty as we know it. The Chargers will win the game on the road, sending Kansas City to 6-8 on the season. That would also give LA the tiebreaker in the Wild Card race and clinch their 10th win of the season.</p><p>According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Chiefs are 4.5-point favorites at home on Sunday. The Chargers’ offense was not great on Monday, which gives the books and the fans some wiggle room to pick Kansas City. But the rest of the recent history says that Kansas City will fall short in this matchup. Rice is +100 <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/football/nfl/los-angeles-chargers-@-kansas-city-chiefs-35021132" rel="noopener">to score a</a> touchdown, while Hampton is +155.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chargers vs. Chiefs bold predictions for Week 15 clash

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-look-absolutely-dead-in-the-water-heres-why-they-could-still-go-full-undertaker');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chiefs look absolutely dead in the water — here’s why they could still go full Undertaker');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Patrick-Mahomes-has-had-a-difficult-season-but-the-Chiefs-still-have-hope.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Chiefs look absolutely dead in the water — here’s why they could still go full Undertaker</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-09T22:16:22-08:00">December 9th, 10:16pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-09T22:16:22-08:00">December 9th, 10:16pm</time><address><a>Steve Silverman</a>Steve Silverman has been covering the NFL for more than 35 years, and his writing has appeared in ESPN Magazine, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, Pro Football Weekly, and Forbes.com. He has written 10 books, including "Who's Better, Who's Best in the NFL." He has won multiple awards from the Pro Football Writers of America.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Chiefs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Kansas City Chiefs have been a playoff team in every season since 2015. They have been the most consistent and dominant team in the league, winning the Super Bowl three times and getting there on two other occasions.</p><p>The 2025 season is quite another story. After their Week 14 Monday night loss to the Houston Texans, they are sitting in third place in the AFC West with a 6-7 record. They are out of the playoff structure. They are not going to catch the first place Denver Broncos who sit in first place with an 11-2 record. The Broncos have won 10 games in a row, and the top spot is completely out of the question for head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.</p><p>The three AFC teams sitting in the Wild Card spots with four games to go in the regular season are the Los Angeles Chargers (9-4), Buffalo Bills (9-4) and the Texans (8-5).</p><p>The Indianapolis Colts have (8-5) fallen out of a playoff position as they have lost three games in a row and lost starting QB Daniel Jones to an Achilles injury. They have made a seemingly desperate move by signing 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement to try to rescue their season. Rivers has not played since he concluded his 17-year career in 2020. Rivers played 16 seasons with the Chargers before concluding his career with the Colts.</p><p>The Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins have the same 6-7 record the Chiefs have. The Ravens are ahead of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/nfl-playoff-picture-chiefs-postseason-hopes-increasingly-bleak">the Chiefs</a> in the standings because their 4-5 record against AFC opponents is better than Kansas City’s.</p><h2><b>Chiefs in big hole, but they are not dead</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/George-Karlaftis-is-one-of-the-keys-to-Kansas-Citys-closing-stretch-of-the-season.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>There is  a scenario that would allow the Chiefs to potentially get back into playoff contention. Since they are three games behind the Chargers, the Chiefs would have to go 4-0 while the Chargers would have to go 1-3 for Kansas City to have a chance.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-chase-daniel-drops-bold-super-bowl-take-despite-dwindling-playoff-path">If the Chiefs</a> finished tied with the Chargers, the tiebreaker would be a slim possibility for Kansas City. The Chiefs have games remaining with the Chargers, Titans, Broncos and Raiders. Victories in all of them would give them a 10-6 record and a 7-5 conference mark.</p><p>If the Chargers won one of their remaining games — they face the Chiefs, Cowboys, Texans and Broncos — that would give them a 10-6 record as well. They would split the season series with the Chiefs and would have the same division record as Kansas City if the Chargers lost to the Broncos in the regular-season finale.</p><p>However, the Chargers have a 5-3 record against opponents in common, while the Chiefs are 3-4. The Chargers could fall to 5-5 in that category with losses to the Chiefs and Broncos, while the Chiefs would improve to 6-4 if they could beat the Chargers, Broncos and Raiders.</p><p>The scenario does not seem realistic for a couple of reasons. The Chiefs would have to beat the Chargers in Week 14 after losing 4 of their last 5 games and then they would have to follow up with a win over the streaking Broncos in Week 16. The idea that the Chiefs will sweep the Chargers and Broncos is a long shot at best.</p><p>Passing the Texans would require the Chiefs to go 4-0 while Houston goes 1-3. The Texans have a two-game lead over the Chiefs but they also hold the tiebreaker since they beat the Chiefs head to head.</p><p>Houston’s closing schedule against the Cardinals, Raiders, Chargers and Colts, so the likelihood of the Texans going 1-3 is a major longshot.</p><h2><b>Chiefs no longer have explosive offense</b></h2><p>During the prime years of their run, the Chiefs had the most explosive offense in the NFL. That has not been the case in recent years. The Chiefs rank 11th as they are scoring 24.2 points and averaging 367.1 yards per game. Defensively, they are allowing <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team/_/view/defense/table/passing/sort/totalPointsPerGame/dir/asc">19.5 points per game</a>, ranking 7th in the league.</p><p>Both figures are decent, but they are not at a championship level any more. Mahomes is no longer putting prolific numbers on the board. He has completed 299 of 474 passes for 3,398 yards with 22 TDs and 10 interceptions. He has also run for 407 yards and 4 touchdowns, but he has taken big hits throughout his career and he may be running out of fantastic finishes.</p><p>Travis Kelce is his leading receiver with 60-727-5. He is still a capable pass catcher and play maker, but the explosive nature of the Chiefs offense is no longer a reality.</p><p>The chances of the Chiefs making the playoffs are not great, but the possibility still exists.</p><p> </p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chiefs look absolutely dead in the water — here’s why they could still go full Undertaker

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/nfl-stories/nfl-week-14-winners-losers-texans-defense-chiefs-bed');   ga('set', 'title', 'NFL Week 14 Winners and Losers: Texans defense officially puts the Chiefs to bed');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/NFL-Week-14-Winners-and-Losers-Texans-defense-officially-puts-the-Chiefs-to-bed.jpg"></figure><h1>NFL Week 14 Winners and Losers: Texans defense officially puts the Chiefs to bed</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-09T19:28:34-08:00">December 9th, 7:28pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-09T19:28:34-08:00">December 9th, 7:28pm</time><address><a>Troy Finnegan</a>Troy Finnegan is a Senior Editor, NFL and NCAA Sports Lead at ClutchPoints. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 with a degree in journalism and minors in communications and sports media, as well as a critical sports studies certificate. He has had a passion for sports his entire life, and enjoys covering and writing about all sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Buffalo Bills</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Can you believe it’s already Week 15? Neither can I. Each week in the NFL brings massive playoff implications and marquee matchups in a year where it seems like anybody can win any given game, and that was no different this week.</p><p>Most notably, the Texans put the Chiefs even further behind in the AFC playoff race on Sunday night with a 20-10 victory. The Chargers essentially sealed Kansas City’s fate with a win over the Eagles in overtime on Monday, meaning the NFL’s modern dynasty will very likely be watching the playoffs at home.</p><p>Elsewhere, the Rams and Seahawks continued to mow down opponents in the NFC, the Packers took back first place in the NFC North with a win over the Bears, the Colts lost the lead in the AFC South and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/indianapolis-colts/colts-news-daniel-jones-tore-achilles-in-loss-to-jaguars">quarterback Daniel Jones to an Achilles injury</a>.</p><p>Who made the list of winners and losers from one of the more eventful Sundays of the year?</p><h2><b>Winner: The Texans’ defense</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Houston-Texans-defensive-end-Will-Anderson-Jr.-51-and-Houston-Texans-safety-Jalen-Pitre-5-celebrate.jpg"><figcaption>© Denny Medley-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Houston Texans are arguably the hottest team in football right now after beating the Chiefs 20-10 on Sunday night in Kansas City to get to 8-5 on the season. Now, it appears very likely that the Texans will be in the playoffs, and they may have <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-playoff-picture-kansas-city-odds-gutter-brutal-loss-texans">ended the Chiefs’ hopes of joining them</a> there with this win.</p><p>Houston’s defense has been the catalyst for this recent run, establishing itself as one of the best units in the NFL on either side of the ball. On Sunday, even Patrick Mahomes fell victim to DeMeco Ryans and company. The star Chiefs quarterback posted the worst EPA per dropback of his career at minus-0.54, the worst completion percentage of his career at 42.9% and the <a href="https://x.com/BenjaminSolak/status/1997888159997460982" rel="noopener">worst passer rating of his career</a> at 19.8, per ESPN’s Ben Solak.</p><p>The Texans make plays at all three levels, combining arguably the best pass-rushing duo in the league with an elite secondary that gets to the football on a frequent basis. In recent weeks, the Texans have shut down Mahomes, Josh Allen, and an explosive Colts team as a part of a five-game winning streak that doesn’t look like it’s coming to an end anytime soon.</p><h2><b>Loser: The Chiefs, and everyone who has to play the Texans’ defense</b></h2><p>On the other side of Sunday night’s result is the likely end of the Chiefs dynasty, or at least this iteration of it. Kansas City’s efficiency has been solid all season, but it has always felt like something was just a bit off.</p><p>That was never more true than in this game, when the Chiefs seemed to always have something go wrong on the offensive side. Fill-in left tackle <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-lose-another-o-lineman-to-season-ending-injury">Wanya Morris left with a season-ending injury</a> on the first play of the game, and Kansas City struggled with Houston’s pass rush all night. When it wasn’t the offensive line letting the Chiefs down, it was the receivers with a handful of back-breaking drops. When it wasn’t that, it was a bizarre fourth-down decision from Andy Reid that immediately took away all of Kansas City’s momentum and allowed Houston to get back in the lead.</p><p>Now, the Chiefs have very likely played with their food a bit too much this year and have just a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nfl-playoff-picture/2025/" rel="noopener">12% chance to make the playoffs</a> according to The Athletic.</p><p>The Chiefs aren’t the first team to fall victim to the Texans defense, nor will they be the last. However, their failures throughout the season didn’t give them the margin for error that it needed to take on a very good team with a lot of momentum like this one, and that is what will cost them a chance at another AFC Championship.</p><h2><b>Winner: Everyone who watched Bears-Packers</b></h2><p>After years of having the Bears in the cellar of the NFC North, we finally got a late-season matchup between the two longtime rivals with real playoff implications on both sides. To put it simply, it was glorious.</p><p>Chicago and Green Bay repeatedly threw haymakers at each other all afternoon at a freezing-cold Lambeau Field, going back and forth in a second half that featured 30 minutes of high-quality football on both sides. On one side, Ben Johnson was scheming up a dominant run game and Caleb Williams was improvising in all the right moments. On the other, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/clutchpoints-week-15-nfl-mvp-power-rankings-josh-allen-jordan-love">Jordan Love firmly established himself in the MVP conversation</a> with a stellar performance of his own.</p><p>In the end, Green Bay got a 28-21 win and reclaimed first place in the NFC North after Williams was picked off in the end zone by Keisean Nixon in the final minute. But the real winner here was the fans, and we get to see it again in just two weeks’ time.</p><h2><b>Loser: The Colts, in all possible ways</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Daniel-Jones.jpg"><figcaption>Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union</figcaption></figure><p>The Colts were one of the surprises of this NFL season for the first half of the year, jumping out to a 7-1 start led by an explosive offense, a lethal run game, and a defense that did more than enough to get the job done on a weekly basis.</p><p>The Colts came into Week 14 having lost three of their last four games, as the shine had worn off on their new-look offense with Daniel Jones. Jonathan Taylor cooled off after his historic start to the season, but Indianapolis still had a chance to take control of the AFC South once again on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.</p><p>However, things didn’t last long even on Sunday morning. With the Colts trailing in the first half, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/indianapolis-colts/daniel-jones-injury-spells-doom-colts-sauce-gardner-gamble">Jones went down with a torn right Achilles</a> and will be out for the rest of the season and potentially into the 2026 campaign.</p><p>Indianapolis essentially went all-in on Jones when it traded two first-round picks to the New York Jets for star cornerback Sauce Gardner. Now, the Colts don’t have many avenues to acquire another starting quarterback, and Jones is a free agent this offseason. All signs point to him being back as the starter on a new deal when he is healthy, but what that deal looks like is just one of the many questions that this devastating injury brings to the table.</p><h2><b>Winner: Josh Allen dashing through the snow</b></h2><p>It seems like that once every year, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills get to play in a driving snowstorm on their home field. The 2025 edition came on Sunday, and Allen certainly did not disappoint.</p><p>The reigning MVP re-entered the conversation for the biggest individual honor again this season with a four-touchdown performance to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 39-34 in a comeback effort and keep Buffalo in the mix in the AFC East.</p><p>Allen had another signature moment with his legs in this one, <a href="https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1997766810679263685" rel="noopener">scrambling for a 40-yard touchdown</a> to start the comeback effort in the fourth quarter.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">JOSH ALLEN DOES IT HIMSELF FOR A 40-YARD RUSHING "THROUGH THE SNOW" TOUCHDOWN 💪<a href="https://t.co/kAJf58g9Yi">pic.twitter.com/kAJf58g9Yi</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1997766810679263685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The Bills QB has had some down games this season, but he is starting to show that he is still the best of the best when it matters most.</p><h2><b>Loser: Justin Herbert’s well-being on the field</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Chargers.jpg"><figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Chargers beat the Eagles 22-19 in overtime on Monday night to get to 9-4 on the season and put themselves in a very good position in the AFC playoff race. However, it was impossible to come away from that game with any other takeaway than concern about Justin Herbert’s health.</p><p>Herbert, who was already playing with a broken hand that was surgically repaired just seven days before the game, took a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/los-angeles-chargers/chargers-news-stat-highlight-justin-herbert-mnf-eagles-pass-rush">career-high seven sacks against a very good Eagles defense</a> and was pressured on 68.3% of his dropbacks. No, that is not a typo.</p><p>It’s the <a href="https://x.com/NFL_Researcher/status/1998256943731994832" rel="noopener">third-highest pressure rate</a> faced by a quarterback in the Next Gen Stats era, according to Tony Holzman-Escareno.</p><p>The Chargers have one of the most beat-up offensive lines in the NFL, and things only got worse on Monday when Trey Pipkins went down with an injury. The schedule isn’t getting any easier for the pass protection either, as the Chargers will take on the Chiefs, Cowboys, Texans and Broncos to close the season.</p><p>Herbert has his team in position to make the playoffs again in 2o25. What state he is in by the time they get there is another question.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NFL Week 14 Winners and Losers: Texans defense officially puts the Chiefs to bed

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/stephen-a-smith-travis-kelce-will-retire-soon');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why Stephen A. Smith thinks Travis Kelce will retire soon');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Why-Stephen-A.-Smith-Travis-Kelce-will-retire-soon.jpg"></figure><h1>Why Stephen A. Smith thinks Travis Kelce will retire soon</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-09T17:12:56-08:00">December 9th, 5:12pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-09T17:12:56-08:00">December 9th, 5:12pm</time><address><a>Autumn Hawkins</a>Autumn Hawkins is an Associate Entertainment Editor at ClutchPoints. She enjoys writing about music, lifestyle, film, and television. When she's not writing, she is trying the newest makeup trend, reading a romance novel, or planning her next trip. She is also a proud member of the BeyHive.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Celebrity</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Stephen A. Smith has a lot of ideas on what could come of Travis Kelce’s future.</p><p>Kelce is currently in his 13th year in the NFL as a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. In a conversation with People, the First Take host shared his thoughts on Kelce’s <a href="https://people.com/stephen-a-smith-believes-travis-kelce-will-retire-be-with-taylor-swift-exclusive-11850320">performance this season.</a></p><p>“Those of us who know sports, watch sports and watch him all the time, we know he’s not what he used to be,” Smith explained in an interview published on Dec. 9. “He’s still great. He’s a three-time champion. He’s one of the best people you’ll ever meet. He’s a beautiful person. Really, really good to know him, proud of him, the whole bit.”</p><p>Smith continued, “But Father Time is undefeated and eventually it creeps up on us all. And no matter how fast he looks — there’s a boatload of people that are faster, that haven’t been through the surgeries, the pain and all the other things that he’s had to endure.”</p><p>Additionally, Smith shares that Kelce is impeccably talented outside of football, so whenever he makes that leap, he will be successful.</p><p>“I think that you could see the handwriting that’s on the wall,” Smith said. “The guy is so talented and there are so many other things that he could do outside of football that now would be the time for him to step away.”</p><p>Smith shared that his reltionship with Taylor Swift could also be a factor in why he might want to end his season sooner rather than later. Kelce proposed to Swift back in August after two years of dating.</p><p>“I will tell you that that’s what I think he’s going to do,” he added. “Obviously he has a beautiful lady in his life, where there’s a lot of good things for him to go home to. And so, because of that, I think the combination of all of those things.”</p><p>As for what industry Kelce could go into after football? Smith believes that his past experience with TV such as his role in <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celebrity/what-taylor-swift-told-travis-kelce-to-prepare-for-grotesquerie">Ryan Murphy’s Grotesquire</a> and his film debut in <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/entertainment/taylor-swift-honest-rating-travis-kelce-happy-gilmore-2">Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore 2 </a>over the summer. </p><p>“He would instantly make it in television. Instantly,” Smith said. “He’ll have a job waiting for him the second he’s finished. The second he’s finished, he’ll have a job waiting for him because that’s just what he brings to the table.”</p><p>Smith wanted to point out that he is just “speculating” about what could be in Kelce’s future and no announcement on a retirement has been made.</p><p>There were retirement rumors swirling at the end of last season but the Chiefs’ tight end <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-kansas-city-ends-travis-kelce-retirement-rumors-with-huge-post">cleared that up when he put rumors </a>to bed when he announced that he would be returning. Smith claims he saw that coming and knew he would be back.</p><p>“And so obviously I knew he wasn’t going to retire last year because they got beat so badly in the Super Bowl,” he said. “I could not imagine him ending his career on that note. You know? Not like that. Not like that.”</p><p>Kelce has not made a retirement announcement, but fans will get to see him play and fight alongside the Chiefs for a shot at the playoffs. The Chiefs’ next game is against the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 17 at 1 pm EST.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2025 SEASON STATS
RECEPTIONS	RECEIVING YDS	TOUCHDOWNS	POSITION RANK
0	4	0	-

2025 SEASON STATS
RECEPTIONS	RECEIVING YDS	TOUCHDOWNS	POSITION RANK
0	4	0	-

Jared
Wiley

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