<!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>

Why Stephen A. Smith thinks Travis Kelce will retire soon

<!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-chase-daniel-drops-bold-super-bowl-take-despite-dwindling-playoff-path');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chase Daniel drops bold Chiefs Super Bowl take despite dwindling playoff path');   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-of-the-Kansas-City-Chiefs-3.jpg"><figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Chase Daniel drops bold Chiefs Super Bowl take despite dwindling playoff path</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-09T07:26:13-08:00">December 9th, 7:26am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-09T07:26:13-08:00">December 9th, 7:26am</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 Chiefs are barely holding on in the AFC playoff race. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-most-to-blame-for-critical-loss-to-texans-on-sunday-night-football">Kansas City lost a devastating game against Houston</a> on Sunday that dropped them to 6-7 on the season. Now the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-playoff-picture-kansas-city-odds-gutter-brutal-loss-texans">Chiefs’ slim playoff odds</a> will require them to be perfect to finish the regular season. But if that happens, one analyst is confident they could win it all.</p><p>Former NFL QB Chase Daniel <a href="https://youtu.be/2c4z-jHVBIs?t=284" rel="noopener">dropped a bold Super Bowl take</a> about the Chiefs after Week 14.</p><p>“In all reality I don’t see a path for them to the playoffs. I really don’t and the thing that’s sort of crazy about it is that if they do get again, I still think they can win a Super Bowl,” Daniel said on Monday via Scoop City. “Because you just look at the AFC playoff picture right now. Who do you trust in it? Like the nine seed is Lamar Jackson. The twelve seed is Joe Burrow. Josh Allen is the five seed and they’re rolling, So like the playoff race for the AFC, like do you trust Bo Nix? I love Bo Nix but do you trust Bo Nix in the playoffs when the game on the line? Do you trust Drake Maye when the game is on the line? Do you trust the New England Patriots?”</p><p>The AFC playoff picture certainly looks a bit different in 2025 than it has in years past. That could create an opportunity for the Chiefs, if they can make the playoffs.</p><p>Kansas City enters Week 15 with just a<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nfl-playoff-picture/2025/" rel="noopener"> 12% chance to make the postseason</a>, per The Athletic’s playoff simulator. Their odds dropped by two percent after the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/eagles-news-wild-stat-highlights-jalen-hurts-disastrous-showing-on-mnf-vs-chargers">Chargers beat the Eagles on Monday Night Football</a>.</p><p>The Chiefs need to make up a lot of ground if they plan to pass the Chargers, Bills, or Texans for a wild card spot. They will also need some help from other games around the league.</p><p>But Kansas City knows what all great NFL teams do — just take it one game at a time.</p><p>Next up for the Chiefs is a Week 15 matchup against the Chargers.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chase Daniel drops bold Chiefs Super Bowl take despite dwindling playoff path

<!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-lose-another-o-lineman-to-season-ending-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chiefs lose another O-Lineman to season-ending injury');   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-offensive-tackle-Wanya-Morris-64.jpg"><figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Chiefs lose another O-Lineman to season-ending injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-08T14:33:07-08:00">December 8th, 2:33pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-08T14:46:11-08:00">December 8th, 2:46pm</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>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-offensive-line-woes-get-worse-with-gruesome-wanya-morris-injury">worst fear of the Kansas City Chiefs</a> about the injury of left tackle Wanya Morris has come true, as the offensive lineman is <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1998155447451165112" rel="noopener">reportedly done</a> for the rest of the 2025 NFL season after suffering a serious injury in <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-most-to-blame-for-critical-loss-to-texans-on-sunday-night-football">Sunday’s 20-10 loss to the Houston Texans</a> at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.</p><p>“Sources: Chiefs LT Wanya Morris suffered a season-ending knee injury Sunday night vs. the Texans,” wrote Adam Schefter of ESPN in a social media post on X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>This is another big blow to the Chiefs’ offensive line and Patrick Mahomes’ protection unit. Morris was already covering for the void left by the injured Josh Simmons, who is still on the injured reserve with a wrist injury. Simmons will at least four games because of his IR stint.</p><p>Morris also was not the only Chiefs player who got hurt in the Texans game, with defensive back Trent McDuffie leaving the contest with a knee issue.</p><p>Following Morris’ exit from the meeting with the Texans, the Chiefs opted to go with undrafted rookie Esa Pole at the left tackle spot.</p><p>With a banged-up offensive line, Mahomes struggled to make things happen for the Chiefs’ offense. He passed for just 160 yards with zero touchdowns and three interceptions on just 14-of-33 pass completions.</p><p>Kansas City’s injury woes on the offensive line don’t add anything to the flickering hope of the team to make the NFL playoffs. The Chiefs, who have lost their last two games, are down to 6-7 and to the 10th spot in the AFC standings after losing to Houston.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chiefs lose another O-Lineman to season-ending injury

<!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-most-to-blame-for-critical-loss-to-texans-on-sunday-night-football');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chiefs most to blame for critical loss to Texans on Sunday Night Football');   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-most-to-blame-for-critical-loss-to-Texans-on-Sunday-Night-Football.jpg"></figure><h1>Chiefs most to blame for critical loss to Texans on Sunday Night Football</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-08T09:11:40-08:00">December 8th, 9:11am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-08T09:11:40-08:00">December 8th, 9:11am</time><address><a>Garrett Kerman</a>Garrett Kerman also goes by the name of The Fight Analyst. He covers all combat sports, from MMA, to boxing, to even bare-knuckle. He is also very well-versed in all American sports when it comes to news and betting analysis. Whether you want betting advice or some breaking news, Garrett is your guy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Chiefs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-playoff-picture-kansas-city-odds-gutter-brutal-loss-texans">The Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff hopes took a devastating blow</a> Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium, where they fell to the Houston Texans 20-10 in a game that epitomized everything that has gone wrong with the defending AFC champions this season. While the Texans’ defense was exceptional, executing one of the most impressive performances against Patrick Mahomes in recent memory, the reality is that Kansas City beat itself with penalties, dropped passes, and critical execution failures when it mattered most. The Chiefs had their opportunities to win this game, but a combination of self-inflicted wounds and poor decision-making allowed Houston to escape Arrowhead with a signature victory that keeps their playoff hopes alive while leaving Kansas City’s postseason fate hanging by a thread.​</p><p>The Chiefs entered Sunday night sitting at 6-6, desperate to stay in the playoff conversation, but instead found themselves at 6-7 after a second-half collapse that included three interceptions for Mahomes and multiple fourth-down failures. This wasn’t a case of the Texans simply outplaying Kansas City with a superior game plan; this was about the Chiefs failing to execute in critical moments despite having chances to control the outcome. Mahomes was under significant pressure due to injuries along the offensive line, but the elite quarterback and his supporting cast had opportunities to secure a win against a Texans team that, while strong, wasn’t flawless offensively.​</p><h2>Execution Failures in the Clutch</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Houstons-defense-scrambles-Patrick-Mahomes.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>Denny Medley-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The most glaring issue for the Chiefs was their inability to convert crucial fourth-down situations and execute critical plays when the game was on the line. With the score tied 10-10 late in the fourth quarter, Kansas City had a fourth-and-1 at their own 31-yard line and chose to go for it rather than punt. Mahomes’ pass fell incomplete, and that decision proved catastrophic. Just moments later, Rashee Rice dropped a wide-open pass on another fourth-down attempt that would have given the Chiefs a first down, and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-travis-kelce-media-kansas-city-season">Travis Kelce uncharacteristically dropped two crucial passes</a>, which killed the Chiefs’ momentum. These weren’t defensive breakdowns; these were straight-up failures to execute when execution was everything.​</p><p>The receiver position plagued the Chiefs all night, with the offense recording six dropped passes that could have resulted in positive plays. In a game where every possession mattered, Kansas City simply couldn’t hold onto the football when it counted. Mahomes did his part, scrambling and extending plays, but his supporting cast let him down repeatedly. The final interception came with just minutes remaining when Travis Kelce failed to secure the ball, allowing Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair to intercept and end any comeback hopes.​</p><h2>Offensive Line Struggles and Lack of Adaptation</h2><p>Beyond the drops and decision-making, the Chiefs’ offensive line situation was dire, with multiple injuries forcing Mahomes to operate behind a patchwork unit. While injuries are never an excuse to lose—every team deals with them—the Chiefs’ inability to adapt their game plan and protect their quarterback left Mahomes vulnerable all evening. The offense managed just 98 yards in the first half while being shut out, one of only four times Mahomes has been blanked in a first half during his tenure as Kansas City’s starter.​</p><p>Mahomes finished the game 14-of-33 for 160 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions, a far cry from the elite performances that have defined his career. While the Texans’ defense deserves credit for their aggression and coverage schemes, the Chiefs failed to adjust or find creative ways to attack Houston’s defense. Andy Reid is one of the greatest offensive minds in football, but even his schemes couldn’t overcome the compounding failures of execution, dropped passes, and questionable fourth-down decisions that defined Kansas City’s night.​</p><p>The Chiefs had their opportunity at Arrowhead Stadium, but they couldn’t capitalize when it mattered most. This loss sits squarely on Kansas City’s shoulders, serving as another painful reminder that this defending champions are rapidly running out of time to salvage their season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chiefs most to blame for critical loss to Texans on Sunday Night Football

<!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-media-kansas-city-season');   ga('set', 'title', 'Travis Kelce stiffs media as the Chiefs season hits low point');   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-tight-end-Travis-Kelce.jpg"><figcaption>Amy Kontras-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Travis Kelce stiffs media as the Chiefs season hits low point</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-08T08:23:02-08:00">December 8th, 8:23am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-08T08:23:02-08:00">December 8th, 8:23am</time><address><a>Zachary Draves</a>Zachary Draves is a sportswriter and broadcaster based in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. Zachary covers a variety of different sports as well as sports history, sport and society, and sport and culture. He is also a professor of sociology.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Chiefs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Last year, the Kansas City Chiefs <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/eagles-news-chiefs-fatal-flaw-philadelphia-must-exploit-in-super-bowl-59">made the Super Bowl</a>. One year later, they <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-playoff-picture-kansas-city-odds-gutter-brutal-loss-texans">are on the verge of not making the playoffs</a>.</p><p>On Sunday, they <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-geoff-schwartz-calling-for-andy-reid-job-6-7">lost to the Houston Texans 20-10</a>, leaving the Chiefs with a 6-7 record. Afterward, their popular tight end, Travis Kelce, was <a href="https://x.com/ByNateTaylor/status/1997892940451201275" rel="noopener">conspicuously absent</a> from any media engagement, per Nate Taylor of ESPN.</p><p>When Kelce refused to take questions, Taylor reported that he was one of the last remaining guys still wearing his uniform.</p><p>The Chiefs are in third place in the AFC West behind the 8-4 Los Angeles Chargers and the 11-2 Denver Broncos. Next Sunday, the Chiefs will take on the Chargers in a critical game. Afterward, they will take on the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 21 and the Broncos on Christmas Day.</p><p>Then, the Chiefs will close out the regular season against the Las Vegas Raiders on Jan. 4. This year, Kelce has 60 receptions, five touchdowns, and accumulated 727 yards.</p><p>Plus, Kelce has been under the glare of the spotlight throughout much of the season, primarily for off-field endeavors. Indeed, his <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-travis-kelce-taylor-swift-engagement">engagement to Taylor Swift</a> has captured everyone’s attention.</p><p>Swift, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-taylor-swift-selena-gomez-leonardo-dicaprio-texans-loss">along with other celebrities</a>, was on hand to see the Chiefs lose to the Texans.</p><h2><b>The last time the Chiefs didn’t make the playoffs was a decade ago</b></h2><p>In 2014, Kansas City fell short of making the playoffs with a 9-7 record. One year prior, they had drafted Kelce out of the University of Cincinnati. In 2015, Patrick Mahomes became the starting quarterback.</p><p>From there, Kansas City made it to the playoffs and didn’t stop. Since then, they have become one of the premier dynasties in sports history.</p><p>From 2018 to 2024, they won three Super Bowls in five years, played in six consecutive AFC Championship games, and won nine straight AFC West titles.</p><p>Now their dynasty run is in jeopardy of coming to an end.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Travis Kelce stiffs media as the Chiefs season hits low point

<!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-kansas-city-odds-gutter-brutal-loss-texans');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chiefs playoff picture: Kansas City’s odds in the gutter after brutal loss to 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/2025/12/Kansas-Citys-odds-in-the-gutter-after-brutal-loss-to-Texans.jpg"></figure><h1>Chiefs playoff picture: Kansas City’s odds in the gutter after brutal loss to Texans</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-08T07:39:47-08:00">December 8th, 7:39am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-08T07:39:47-08:00">December 8th, 7:39am</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">Kansas City Chiefs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Kansas City Chiefs lost to the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-most-blame-loss-texans-week-14-2025">Houston Texans, 20-10, on Sunday Night Football</a>. That dropped KC’s record to 6-7, the first time they have been under .500 in December since 2012. The Chiefs are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in Patrick Mahomes’ career. What does The Athletic’s playoff predictor say about Kansas City’s playoff chances?</p><p>After the loss to the Texans, the Chiefs have just a 14% <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/nfl-playoff-picture/2025/chiefs/" rel="noopener">chance of making</a> the playoffs, according to The Athletic. But that is not where the number is going to lock in before Week 15. The Los Angeles Chargers can drop the odds to 10% if they win on Monday Night Football. Kansas City fans should be rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles, as a Birds win would push the odds to 18%.</p><p>A Chargers win on Monday would put a serious wrench in the Chiefs’ playoff plans, even if they win out. Los Angeles is already at eight wins, and Kansas City can only get to 10. KC could still snag the tiebreaker between the teams with a Week 15 win and some help, but the odds would be stacked against them.</p><p>The Week 15 matchup between the Chiefs and Chargers could be the end of the Kansas City playoff run. A loss in that game, even with everything else going their way down the stretch, KC would have a less than 1% chance to make the dance. A win on Sunday night would have gone a long way to flipping the odds. But nothing went in Kansas City’s favor in primetime.</p><p>After nearly a decade of everything going the Chiefs’ way, they aren’t getting much sympathy from fans of other teams. They can still pull out some of their old tricks down the stretch, but they need some help.</p><h2><b>The Chiefs need help from other Wild Card contenders</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Patrick-Mahomes-with-KC-Chiefs-7.jpg"><figcaption>Denny Medley-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Indianapolis Colts were one of the stories of the first half of the season. They were 7-1, flying high atop the AFC South. But the world came crashing down around them, and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/indianapolis-colts/colts-news-daniel-jones-tore-achilles-in-loss-to-jaguars">now Daniel Jones is out for the season</a>. Sixth-round rookie Riley Leonard now has the reins of the seventh seed in the AFC. That has teams licking their chops for the final Wild Card spot.</p><p>The Texans are one of those teams vying for the final Wild Card spot. They now have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Chiefs, as do the Jacksonville Jaguars. So whoever loses the AFC South may need to stop at nine wins. But if the Colts collapse out of the race and the Chargers slip, there would be a spot open for the Chiefs.</p><p>If the Colts and Chiefs both land at ten wins, Kansas City will have the tiebreaker. That is huge for Kansas City, as they beat Indianapolis in overtime back in Week 12. They would also have the tiebreaker over the Baltimore Ravens, who need to win out to get to ten wins. And they are likely to have it over the Chargers. So they are rooting for the Texans and Jaguars to blow other teams out of the water, and the seven seed to come down to a lot of 10-win teams.</p><p>The Chiefs have won the AFC West in nine consecutive seasons, but that streak will end this year. With the Denver Broncos at 11 wins, KC cannot catch them. But all of these scenarios still leave the door open for a Chiefs-Broncos Wild Card game that could be the passing of the torch. It could also be the old dynasty roaring back, sending their archrivals home early.</p><p>The Chiefs need an Eagles win on Monday to have a chance at the playoffs. From there, they have to win out and get some help. That help involves a lot of Chargers and Colts losses.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chiefs playoff picture: Kansas City’s odds in the gutter after brutal loss to 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-patrick-mahomes-makes-travis-kelce-guarantee-with-the-end-near');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes makes Travis Kelce guarantee with the end near');   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’ Patrick Mahomes makes Travis Kelce guarantee with the end near</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-08T07:39:43-08:00">December 8th, 7:39am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-08T07:39:43-08:00">December 8th, 7:39am</time><address><a>Yago Antunes</a>Yago Antunes is a Brazilian journalist and writer with experience covering esports, the NFL, NBA, and soccer. He has contributed to online outlets and reported on major international tournaments, building a strong background in sports journalism and digital media while displaying his passion about storytelling and sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Chiefs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Sunday night against the Texans was the kind of game that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-travis-kelce-career-first-fuel-washed-allegations">pours gasoline on every “Travis Kelce is washed”</a> takeout there. For the first time in his Hall of Fame career, Kelce finished a game with more drops than catches, putting two crucial balls on the turf and hauling in just one pass for eight yards in a 20-10 loss.</p><p>One of those drops in the fourth quarter turned into an Azeez Al-Shaair interception and prime Houston field position, a brutal snapshot in a season where Kelce leads the Chiefs in drops and Kansas City’s passing game has looked shockingly mortal.</p><p>After the loss, Patrick Mahomes did not distance himself from his tight end. Instead, he framed the season as something he is savoring with a teammate whose career clock is loudly ticking.</p><p>“Every season I’ve had with him these last few years, I try to cherish because you never know [if this will be his last],” Mahomes said of Kelce, a 13-year veteran, via ESPN. “He got himself in great shape this year, and he’s played great football. He’ll have the option to do whatever he wants to do after this season, but I know one thing: He’ll give everything he has for the rest of this season to try to give us a chance to make a playoff run. We know the chances are getting lower and lower.”</p><p>That is as close as Mahomes <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47244348/andy-reid-owns-failed-fourth-calls-chiefs-playoff-hopes-fade-loss-texans" rel="noopener">has come to publicly acknowledging</a> that the end might be near for this version of the Chiefs’ core. At 6-7, with their AFC West streak effectively over and their wild card hopes fading, Kansas City no longer looks like the inevitability it once was.</p><p>Kelce’s dip in production and alarming drop rate have become symbols of that slippage, fair or not, and every miscue gets magnified by the team’s record.</p><p>The issues are not limited to one position, either. Head coach <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-what-andy-reid-said-disastrous-4th-down-call-vs-texans">Andy Reid took the blame for a pivotal fourth-down failure</a> in the fourth quarter, telling reporters he “put the guys offensively in a tough position” by staying aggressive on a call that backfired deep in Chiefs territory.</p><p>If this really is the final act of the Mahomes–Kelce era at its peak, both seem determined to make sure it does not end with a quiet fade.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes makes Travis Kelce guarantee with the end near

<!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-taylor-swift-selena-gomez-leonardo-dicaprio-texans-loss');   ga('set', 'title', 'Taylor Swift shares suite with Selena Gomez, Leonardo DiCaprio at Chiefs’ Texans loss');   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/Taylor-Swift-shares-suite-with-Selena-Gomez-Leonardo-DiCaprio-at-Texans-loss.jpg"></figure><h1>Taylor Swift shares suite with Selena Gomez, Leonardo DiCaprio at Chiefs’ Texans loss</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-08T07:16:34-08:00">December 8th, 7:16am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-08T07:16:34-08:00">December 8th, 7:16am</time><address><a>Andrew Korpan</a>Andrew Korpan is the lead entertainment editor and film critic for ClutchPoints. He's also an award-winning author and Ken Jeong's best friend.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Celebrity</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>While singer-songwriter <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celebrity/taylor-swift-attend-chiefs-texans-game">Taylor Swift was at the Kansas City Chiefs’ loss</a> to the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-most-blame-loss-texans-week-14-2025">Houston Texans to support Travis Kelce</a>, she was joined by fellow A-listers Selena Gomez and Leonardo DiCaprio.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift together at the Texans vs Chiefs game. <a href="https://t.co/mpUJDOi12g">pic.twitter.com/mpUJDOi12g</a></p><p>— Pop Base (@PopBase) <a href="https://twitter.com/PopBase/status/1997898356883161195?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><p>Photos first emerged of Swift and Gomez sitting together in the luxury suite. Later on, a video emerged of DiCaprio also sitting in the suite amongst Kelce’s friends and family.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">🎥| Fun fact, Leonardo DiCaprio is also a guest in the Kelce suite tonight! <a href="https://t.co/XoxyO7SrzS">pic.twitter.com/XoxyO7SrzS</a></p><p>— Taylor Swift Updates ❤️‍🔥 (@swifferupdates) <a href="https://twitter.com/swifferupdates/status/1997877801568096530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/celebrity/jason-kelce-leonardo-dicaprio-wwf-new-heights-intro">DiCaprio recently appeared on the New Heights podcast</a>, and perhaps that’s why he made it out for the Chiefs’ game against the Texans.</p><h2><b>Travis Kelce may have ended the Chiefs’ season against the Texans</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Travis-Kelce-8.jpg"><figcaption>© Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><p>It was a quiet night for Kelce against the Texans, as he was held to one catch for eight yards on five targets. Down seven points, Patrick Mahomes tried to navigate the Chiefs out of their own end zone.</p><p>On 2nd &amp; 10, Mahomes threw a pass to Kelce, who bobbled it. The pass was ultimately intercepted by Azeez Al-Shaair. This was Mahomes’ third interception of the night.</p><p>This came right after Kelce dropped a first down pass from Mahomes. The Texans took over on the edge of the red zone and scored a field goal to ice the game.</p><p>The Chiefs are now 6-7, and they are ineligible to win the AFC West, breaking their streak of division titles. While they still have slim odds to make the postseason, their year may be done with their latest loss.</p><p>They will have four games left. If they win out and other teams lose, they may have a chance to sneak into the playoffs. But one more loss will signal the end of their season.</p><p>Kelce is still having a good season, despite his minimal stats against the Texans. He has caught 60 passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns through 13 games.</p><p>It’s unclear if this is Kelce’s last season in the NFL. He contemplated retirement after the Chiefs’ Super Bowl 59 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. However, he opted to return for at least one more season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Taylor Swift shares suite with Selena Gomez, Leonardo DiCaprio at Chiefs’ Texans loss

<!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-what-andy-reid-said-disastrous-4th-down-call-vs-texans');   ga('set', 'title', 'What Chiefs’ Andy Reid said about that disastrous 4th-down call 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/Kansas-City-Chiefs-head-coach-Andy-Reid-1.jpg"><figcaption>Denny Medley-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>What Chiefs’ Andy Reid said about that disastrous 4th-down call vs. Texans</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-12-08T07:15:38-08:00">December 8th, 7:15am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-12-08T07:15:38-08:00">December 8th, 7:15am</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-most-blame-loss-texans-week-14-2025">Chiefs lost a brutal game on Sunday Night Football</a>. Kansas City fell 20-10 against a surging Houston team, which puts them under .500 at 6-7 on the season. One crucial play ended up costing the Chiefs during the fourth quarter, and it came up repeatedly during postgame interviews.</p><p>Chiefs head coach Andy Reid <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47244348/andy-reid-owns-failed-fourth-calls-chiefs-playoff-hopes-fade-loss-texans" rel="noopener">took responsibility for a disastrous fourth-down call</a> against the Texans on Sunday night.</p><p>“I put the guys, offensively, in a tough position with the fourth downs [calls],” Reid said, per ESPN’s Nate Taylor. “I was trying to stay aggressive with it. I take full responsibility for that. I thought we could get it. It’s important that you take advantage of opportunities. In hindsight, it was wrong. I messed that one up.”</p><p>Kansas City went for it on fourth down during a pivotal point in the game. Reid called a shotgun passing play with Hollywood Brown lined up in the backfield. The played resulted in an <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/chiefs-news-rashee-rice-leaves-patrick-mahomes-fans-stunned-4th-down-drop">incomplete pass to Rashee Rice</a> with Patrick Mahomes targeting him over the middle of the field.</p><p>Shockingly, making an aggressive call like that was a career first for Reid. He had never before went for it on fourth down with the score tied in the fourth quarter or overtime and with his offense inside its own 40-yard line.</p><p>Failing on that conversion gave the Texans the ball in great field position. They scored a touchdown to go up 17-10 just a few minutes later.</p><h2><b>Was Chiefs’ fourth-down failure a bad call or good defense by Texans?</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>On paper, Reid made a good call by going for it.</p><p>The Next Gen Stats and ESPN Analytics’ model agreed with the decision to go for it on fourth down. But Houston simply played great defense.</p><p>Even Patrick Mahomes praised Houston’s defense for making that fourth-down attempt extremely difficult.</p><p>“They did a good job of passing off the crossers,” Mahomes said. “I tried to get the ball to Rashee. I think I was a little late. [Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.] made a great play breaking on the ball. We just have to execute at a higher level in those big moments. It’s something we haven’t done this year.”</p><p>Unfortunately for the Chiefs, they will face another stingy defense in their next game.</p><p>Next up for the Chiefs is a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/schedule">Week 15 matchup against the Chargers</a>.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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