The Kansas City Chiefs, sitting at 6-7, face potential elimination from NFL playoff contention in their Week 15 home game against the 9-4 Los Angeles Chargers. A loss combined with wins by several other teams could end Kansas City's postseason streak under Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs are favored by 4.5 points but must improve after a poor showing in their recent 20-10 loss to the Houston Texans.
The Kansas City Chiefs have reached the playoffs every season since Patrick Mahomes took over as starting quarterback in 2018, leading them to seven straight AFC title games, five Super Bowl appearances, and three victories. However, at 6-7, their streak is in jeopardy entering Week 15.
Kansas City hosts the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, a matchup critical for their AFC wild-card hopes. The Chargers hold the first wild-card spot at 9-4 and already defeated the Chiefs 27-21 in Week 1 in Brazil, where Justin Herbert threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns. A Chiefs loss would put them four games behind Los Angeles with three games left, eliminating their chances to catch the Chargers.
Elimination scenarios outlined by analysts include a Chiefs defeat plus wins by the Jacksonville Jaguars over the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills over the New England Patriots, and Houston Texans over the Arizona Cardinals. Another path involves a Colts upset over the Seattle Seahawks alongside Bills and Texans wins. The Jaguars and Texans are heavy favorites, while the Bills are slight underdogs.
Mahomes acknowledged the slim odds this week: "We know the chances are getting lower and lower, but I know the guys on this team are going to give everything they have every opportunity they get."
The Chiefs' recent 20-10 loss to the Texans exposed issues, with Mahomes completing 14 of 33 passes for 160 yards, three interceptions, and no touchdowns. He rushed for 59 yards, but Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco managed only 30 each. Travis Kelce caught one of five targets, and a dropped pass led to an interception by Azeez Al-Shaair.
Andy Reid faced criticism for aggressive fourth-down calls that failed, including on their own 31-yard line and later at the 41. Despite this, Kansas City has won seven straight against the Chargers, including the last three at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chargers come off a 22-19 overtime win against the Philadelphia Eagles but have injuries: Derius Davis (ankle), Trey Pipkins III (ankle), and Elijah Molden (hamstring) are questionable. Herbert played through a fractured left hand, rushing for 66 yards but passing for just 139 on 12 of 26 attempts.
Projections give the Chiefs a slight edge, simulating a 26-18 victory to keep hopes alive, though their overall playoff odds remain low at around 24%. They trail the Bills and Jaguars by three games and the Texans by two, with tiebreakers against them.
