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[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs-Cowboys snap counts: Vets take lead in short-rest Week 13 loss

The Kansas City Chiefs lost 31-28 to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. Let’s look at how the Chiefs used their players in this game:

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Starters (offensive): TE Travis Kelce, LT Josh Simmons, LG Kingsley Suamataia, C Creed Humphrey, RG Mike Caliendo, RT Jawaan Taylor, WR Marquise Brown, WR Rashee Rice, WR Xavier Worthy, QB Patrick Mahomes and RB Kareem Hunt.

Starters (defensive): DE George Karlaftis, DT Derrick Nnadi, DT Chris Jones, DE Michael Danna, LB Drue Tranquill, LB Nick Bolton, LB Leo Chenal, DB Chamarri Conner, CB Jaylen Watson, CB Trent McDuffie and S Bryan Cook.

Did not play: QB Gardner Minshew

Inactive: CB Kristian Fulton, WR Jalen Royals, RB Elijah Mitchell, CB Christian Roland-Wallace, G Trey Smith, OL Esa Pole and TE Noah Gray.

The big takeaway​

The game in Dallas occurred four days after the Chiefs won 23-20 in overtime against the Indianapolis Colts. In that narrow victory, the offense ran a season-high 92 total plays. This season, the team averages 61 plays per game.

Off the short week, Kansas City’s offense leaned on its veteran players. In the case of tight end Travis Kelce — who was on the field for a season-high 92% of snaps — it was out of necessity. Second tight end Noah Gray suffered a concussion against Indianapolis and did not play against the Cowboys.

Second-year tight end Jared Wiley made his season debut after being a healthy scratch for 11 games, playing the second-most snaps at the position (9) — but that was only 15% of the unit’s plays.

In the backfield, running back Kareem Hunt still led the position by taking the field for 74% of the Chiefs’ running plays following a game where he registered 30 carries (on 80% of the running plays) against the Colts. Running back Isiah Pacheco returned to the lineup for the first time since his knee injury, playing only 13% of the running calls. Hunt carried the ball 14 times, while Pacheco collected three rushes.

Kansas City’s defense may not have played a season-high number of snaps in Week 12, but defensive tackle Chris Jones played 88% of the defense’s snaps, including 94% of the pass plays; both marks are top-2 results for Jones this year. Against Dallas, he played 79% of the snaps, which was still more than his season average (74%).

Veteran safety Mike Edwards also played an impactful role after being elevated from the practice squad in response to defensive back Christian Roland-Wallace’s injury. Starting safety Bryan Cook left the game early, forcing Edwards to play 62% of the snaps in his season debut.

Offensive takeaways​

With the return of Pacheco, the backfield rotation tightened. That squeezed rookie running back Brashard Smith’s playing time.

Smith played a season-low 7% of offensive snaps, including just 3% of pass plays. He carved out a niche role in the offense earlier this season, but it appears Smith has lost any momentum he held as a playmaker for the Chiefs. Even though the Cowboys’ defense was vulnerable to catch-and-run plays, Smith was never used to attack that soft spot. He’s averaged 10.6 yards after catch over 19 receptions this year.

In Dallas, he played just 4% of the special teams’ snaps — despite a 33-yard kickoff return. Look for his special teams role to increase if he has a diminishing role on offense.

Defensive takeaways​

Against the Cowboys, two young defenders were on the field more usual — each for a different reason.

Rookie defensive end Ashton Gillotte played 47% of the Chiefs’ defensive snaps, the highest snap rate he has recorded since Week 7. He was on the field for 54% of running plays; that’s the second-highest mark this season behind the blowout victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. His high-energy presence against the run helped eat into veteran defensive end Charles Omenihu’s reps in run defense; he played just 35% of run snaps, the third-lowest rate of his season.

Second-year safety Jaden Hicks was thrown into the fire due to the injuries of Cook and Roland-Wallace. He played 85% of the defense’s snaps, the highest rate he has played in a game since last year’s regular-season finale. In Dallas, Hicks flashed the playmaking he displayed as a rookie, breaking up two passes and recording a quarterback hit.

While Hicks managed the larger workload on defense, he maintained a significant role on special teams. He played 86% of snaps for the third phase, the second-highest mark he has recorded in 2025.

Data​

Offense​

Offense	All	Pass	Run
Total	60 (100%)	37 (100%)	23 (100%)
Mike Caliendo	60 (100%)	37 (100%)	23 (100%)
Creed Humphrey	60 (100%)	37 (100%)	23 (100%)
Patrick Mahomes	60 (100%)	37 (100%)	23 (100%)
Kingsley Suamataia	60 (100%)	37 (100%)	23 (100%)
Travis Kelce	55 (92%)	34 (92%)	21 (91%)
Rashee Rice	54 (90%)	34 (92%)	20 (87%)
Xavier Worthy	53 (88%)	31 (84%)	22 (96%)
Josh Simmons	41 (68%)	21 (57%)	20 (87%)
Kareem Hunt	40 (67%)	23 (62%)	17 (74%)
Jaylon Moore	34 (57%)	24 (65%)	10 (43%)
Jawaan Taylor	28 (47%)	13 (35%)	15 (65%)
Marquise Brown	26 (43%)	16 (43%)	10 (43%)
Wanya Morris	19 (32%)	16 (43%)	3 (13%)
JuJu Smith-Schuster	19 (32%)	11 (30%)	8 (35%)
Isiah Pacheco	16 (27%)	13 (35%)	3 (13%)
Tyquan Thornton	14 (23%)	11 (30%)	3 (13%)
Jared Wiley	9 (15%)	7 (19%)	2 (9%)
Robert Tonyan	6 (10%)	3 (8%)	3 (13%)
Brashard Smith	4 (7%)	1 (3%)	3 (13%)
Hunter Nourzad	3 (5%)	2 (5%)	1 (4%)

Defense​

Defense	All	Pass	Run
Total	66 (100%)	40 (100%)	26 (100%)
Trent McDuffie	66 (100%)	40 (100%)	26 (100%)
Jaylen Watson	66 (100%)	40 (100%)	26 (100%)
Nick Bolton	65 (98%)	39 (98%)	26 (100%)
Chamarri Conner	63 (95%)	38 (95%)	25 (96%)
Drue Tranquill	59 (89%)	34 (85%)	25 (96%)
Jaden Hicks	56 (85%)	37 (93%)	19 (73%)
Chris Jones	52 (79%)	33 (83%)	19 (73%)
George Karlaftis	50 (76%)	32 (80%)	18 (69%)
Mike Edwards	41 (62%)	25 (63%)	16 (62%)
Charles Omenihu	37 (56%)	28 (70%)	9 (35%)
Leo Chenal	34 (52%)	19 (48%)	15 (58%)
Ashton Gillotte	31 (47%)	17 (43%)	14 (54%)
Michael Danna	26 (39%)	12 (30%)	14 (54%)
Mike Pennel	22 (33%)	12 (30%)	10 (38%)
Jerry Tillery	20 (30%)	10 (25%)	10 (38%)
Derrick Nnadi	19 (29%)	9 (23%)	10 (38%)
Bryan Cook	12 (18%)	9 (23%)	3 (12%)
Nohl Williams	7 (11%)	6 (15%)	1 (4%)
Joshua Williams	1 (2%)	0 (0%)	1 (4%)

Special Teams​

Special Teams	Snaps
Total	28 (100%)
Leo Chenal	24 (86%)
Jack Cochrane	24 (86%)
Jaden Hicks	24 (86%)
Kevin Knowles II	24 (86%)
Jeff Bassa	19 (68%)
Cooper McDonald	19 (68%)
Joshua Williams	19 (68%)
Nohl Williams	19 (68%)
Robert Tonyan	14 (50%)
Matt Araiza	9 (32%)
Harrison Butker	9 (32%)
James Winchester	9 (32%)
Nikko Remigio	8 (29%)
Tyquan Thornton	8 (29%)
Chamarri Conner	6 (21%)
Mike Edwards	6 (21%)
Nick Bolton	5 (18%)
Michael Danna	5 (18%)
Ashton Gillotte	5 (18%)
George Karlaftis	5 (18%)
Derrick Nnadi	5 (18%)
Jerry Tillery	5 (18%)
Drue Tranquill	5 (18%)
Jared Wiley	5 (18%)
Mike Caliendo	4 (14%)
Creed Humphrey	4 (14%)
Jaylon Moore	4 (14%)
Wanya Morris	4 (14%)
Hunter Nourzad	4 (14%)
Kingsley Suamataia	4 (14%)
Josh Simmons	2 (7%)
Brashard Smith	1 (4%)

All Snaps​

All Snaps	Off	Def	ST	Total
Total	60 (100%)	66 (100%)	28 (100%)	154 (100%)
Matt Araiza	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	9 (32%)	9 (6%)
Jeff Bassa	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	19 (68%)	19 (12%)
Nick Bolton	0 (0%)	65 (98%)	5 (18%)	70 (45%)
Marquise Brown	26 (43%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	26 (17%)
Harrison Butker	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	9 (32%)	9 (6%)
Mike Caliendo	60 (100%)	0 (0%)	4 (14%)	64 (42%)
Leo Chenal	0 (0%)	34 (52%)	24 (86%)	58 (38%)
Jack Cochrane	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	24 (86%)	24 (16%)
Chamarri Conner	0 (0%)	63 (95%)	6 (21%)	69 (45%)
Bryan Cook	0 (0%)	12 (18%)	0 (0%)	12 (8%)
Michael Danna	0 (0%)	26 (39%)	5 (18%)	31 (20%)
Ashton Gillotte	0 (0%)	31 (47%)	5 (18%)	36 (23%)
Jaden Hicks	0 (0%)	56 (85%)	24 (86%)	80 (52%)
Creed Humphrey	60 (100%)	0 (0%)	4 (14%)	64 (42%)
Kareem Hunt	40 (67%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	40 (26%)
Chris Jones	0 (0%)	52 (79%)	0 (0%)	52 (34%)
George Karlaftis	0 (0%)	50 (76%)	5 (18%)	55 (36%)
Travis Kelce	55 (92%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	55 (36%)
Kevin Knowles II	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	24 (86%)	24 (16%)
Patrick Mahomes	60 (100%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	60 (39%)
Cooper McDonald	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	19 (68%)	19 (12%)
Trent McDuffie	0 (0%)	66 (100%)	0 (0%)	66 (43%)
Jaylon Moore	34 (57%)	0 (0%)	4 (14%)	38 (25%)
Wanya Morris	19 (32%)	0 (0%)	4 (14%)	23 (15%)
Derrick Nnadi	0 (0%)	19 (29%)	5 (18%)	24 (16%)
Hunter Nourzad	3 (5%)	0 (0%)	4 (14%)	7 (5%)
Charles Omenihu	0 (0%)	37 (56%)	0 (0%)	37 (24%)
Isiah Pacheco	16 (27%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	16 (10%)
Mike Pennel	0 (0%)	22 (33%)	0 (0%)	22 (14%)
Nikko Remigio	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	8 (29%)	8 (5%)
Rashee Rice	54 (90%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	54 (35%)
Josh Simmons	41 (68%)	0 (0%)	2 (7%)	43 (28%)
Brashard Smith	4 (7%)	0 (0%)	1 (4%)	5 (3%)
JuJu Smith-Schuster	19 (32%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	19 (12%)
Kingsley Suamataia	60 (100%)	0 (0%)	4 (14%)	64 (42%)
Jawaan Taylor	28 (47%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	28 (18%)
Tyquan Thornton	14 (23%)	0 (0%)	8 (29%)	22 (14%)
Jerry Tillery	0 (0%)	20 (30%)	5 (18%)	25 (16%)
Robert Tonyan	6 (10%)	0 (0%)	14 (50%)	20 (13%)
Drue Tranquill	0 (0%)	59 (89%)	5 (18%)	64 (42%)
Jaylen Watson	0 (0%)	66 (100%)	0 (0%)	66 (43%)
Jared Wiley	9 (15%)	0 (0%)	5 (18%)	14 (9%)
Joshua Williams	0 (0%)	1 (2%)	19 (68%)	20 (13%)
Nohl Williams	0 (0%)	7 (11%)	19 (68%)	26 (17%)
James Winchester	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	9 (32%)	9 (6%)
Xavier Worthy	53 (88%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	53 (34%)
Mike Edwards	0 (0%)	41 (62%)	6 (21%)	47 (31%)

Editor’s Note: Arrowhead Pride obtains snap count data from the NFL’s game stats and information system, which allows us to break out snap counts by run or pass on offensive and defensive plays. Because GSIS data ignores plays that were nullified by penalties, total offensive and defensive snap counts will vary from other sources, which get their data from NFL Gamebooks

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...nts-vets-take-lead-in-short-rest-cowboys-loss

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs News 11/29: Chiefs graded a ‘B’ for loss to Cowboys

The latest​

NFL Thanksgiving grades for Week 13: Cowboys ace test, Packers earn ‘A-‘ | CBS Sports

B – Chiefs
After seven straight years of reaching at least the AFC title game with Patrick Mahomes, this might have been the dagger that finally ends Kansas City’s playoff streak. This loss epitomized the Chiefs’ entire season: The team that always finds a way to win close games lost another close game. After going 12-0 in one-score games last year, the Chiefs are 1-6 this year. The defense couldn’t get a single stop in the fourth quarter and they failed to stop the Cowboys’ on almost every key third down that came up. On the offensive side of the ball, Patrick Mahomes was impressive, but the offense also disappeared at times. The unit punted on four straight possessions during a span that ran from the second quarter to the third quarter. There were also some ugly drops and two questionable punts in the second half that came on fourth-and-5 or shorter in Cowboys territory. It’s been a nightmare season for the Chiefs (6-6), and at this point, they only shot they’re going to have of making the playoffs is if they win out, and even then, it won’t be guaranteed.

Chiefs Quote of the Day

“We’ve got to put it all together for four quarters in this league. That’s something we’ve been great at in the past. But it’s not the past. Now it’s the present. You have to be able to do that week-in and week-out. Even last week, we weren’t consistent — and we won the game. So, it’s just being consistent throughout an entire game, bringing the right mindset [and] the right energy. It’s something that we’re going to have to do the rest of the way out.”

— Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes

Chiefs’ locker room was different after loss to Cowboys. So was Patrick Mahomes | The Athletic

This was minutes after the Chiefs’ 31-28 road loss to the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Thursday, and Karlaftis turned away from his locker to face reporters, preparing himself not to offer excuses for his team’s latest close loss.

“We’ve got to dig deeper, got to do more, got to look at ourselves in the mirror,” Karlaftis said. “Now is where this team is going to figure out what we’re made of.”

Look around the rest of the locker room — and at Karlaftis, too — and there might be more reasons to doubt the Chiefs can actually pull themselves out of the 6-6 hole they’ve already dug this year.

Ahead of Karlaftis was rookie left tackle Josh Simmons, who exited the game with a wrist injury. He already had a cast on by postgame, his arm also supported by a black sling. Next to him was right tackle Jawaan Taylor, who suffered a strained tricep. That left him checking his phone afterward while sporting a black sleeve that covered his elbow and upper arm.

Top Draft Needs of Every NFL Team in 2026 Entering Season’s Home Stretch | Bleacher Report

Top Scheme Fits on B/R Big Board

Jadarian Price, Notre Dame (No. 37)

Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M (No. 72)

Kaytron Allen, Penn State (No. 98

The Isiah Pacheco era could be over at the end of the 2025 season. He’s in the final year of his rookie deal and his waning production and health could make him a risky player to re-sign. The Chiefs drafted Breshard Smith in last year’s draft, but he’s more of a pass-catching specialist.

Jeremiyah Love is obviously the top back in this year’s class, but the Chiefs won’t even likely have a chance to draft him. Brett Veach might also be hesitant to draft a first-round running back after Clyde Edwards-Helaire. However, Love’s backfield mate has worked his way up to RB2 status on our big board.

Le’Veon Moss would pair well with Smith as well.

“Moss is a tough runner who excels when his shoulders are squared to the line of scrimmage, working downhill. He runs well behind his pads between the tackles. He powers through arm tackles and pushes piles with his strong leg drive,” B/R scout Dame Parson wrote of the Aggie running back.

Around the NFL​

Bears beat Eagles in Philly as boos rain down on Lincoln Financial | ESPN

The only team that entered Week 13 with a better record in one-score games than the Chicago Bears (6-1) was the Philadelphia Eagles (7-2), who were tied with the Broncos for the most one-score wins in the NFL.

So naturally, this pivotal NFC showdown ended in relatively close fashion, with the Bears beating the Eagles 24-15 to record their fifth straight win.

After only 12 games in the Ben Johnson era, this win is the most impactful and biggest for the franchise in years. Chicago remains in first place in the NFC North and is one step closer to clinching a playoff berth.

Friday’s win went a long way in changing the conversation about whether the Bears are as good as their record. They beat the defending Super Bowl champions on the road and legitimized their place in the NFC hierarchy.

Daniel Jones injury: Colts QB dealing with fractured fibula, per report | CBS Sports

Jones initially appeared on the Colts’ Week 12 injury report with a calf injury. Prior to the Colts’ game against the Chiefs, CBS Sports’ Tracy Wolfson reported that Jones in fact was dealing with a fibula injury while adding that he was not in jeopardy of missing that game.

Despite the injury, Jones played in the Colts’ Week 12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He went 19 of 31 for 181 yards and two touchdowns in the Colts’ 23-20 overtime loss. The Chiefs failed to sack Jones, but he ran the ball just three times for 16 yards.

“It was just something that was hanging over, realized it last week,” said Jones, who was a full participant in practice. “Just trying to get treatment and make sure I’m in the best spot that I can be.”

Jones also made it clear that he has every intention of playing in the Colts’ upcoming home game against the Houston Texans.

“I’ll be ready to go on Sunday,” he said. “Obviously, (I) was out there last week. I’m good to go.”

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride​

5 things we learned from the Chiefs’ dissappointing loss to the Cowboys

2. The Chiefs are tired

The Chiefs are not bad. They are exhausted.

They are not worn out from playing on a short week. They are worn out from playing in three straight Super Bowls — and battling through one nail-biter after another.

You could see it on quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ face as he sat on the sideline watching the game slip away. This team looks like a legion of warriors who’ve been out on an endless campaign without reinforcements.

Since 2018 (including the playoffs), the Chiefs have played 149 games. That’s 18 more than half of the league’s teams. That’s more than a whole extra season of tough games won and lost — and in those high-stakes, win-or-go-home matchups, Kansas City’s players pushed their bodies to unimaginable extremes.

I don’t think this team has lost the will to fight. But there is only so much a human body can take before it fails the spirit within it.

Social media to make you think​

Chiefs were 11-1 last year with a point margin of +54.

They're 6-6 this year with a point margin of +73.

¯_(ツ)_/¯

— Jesse Newell (@jessenewell) November 28, 2025

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Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...s-11-29-chiefs-graded-a-b-for-loss-to-cowboys

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

6 winners and 9 losers from the Chiefs’ Week 13 loss to the Cowboys

Welp… at least we ate well.

On Thanksgiving Day, the Kansas City Chiefs managed to take another step back in the AFC playoff race with a 31-28 road loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Here are a few Chiefs who stood out on a very rough day.

Winners​

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes: The guy continues to make plays, even when they don’t result in a win. He’s not perfect, but he’s still dragging his team to the cusp of victory each week. Unfortunately, his teammates don’t always come through for him.

Tight end Jared Wiley: The box score only has one catch for four yards — but the tight end was impactful as a blocker, taking over tight end Noah Gray’s duties admirably.

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Special teamer Kevin Knowles II and punter Matt Araiza: The punter dropped four of his five punts (and nearly the fifth one) inside the 20-yard line. On consecutive failed offensive drives, Araiza had near-perfect punts — and Knowles was right there to down each of them inside the 5-yard line. Field position matters — and on Thursday, these guys did what they could to flip the field in Kansas City’s favor.

Wide receiver Rashee Rice and tight end Travis Kelce: They combined for eight catches, 137 yards and three touchdowns. The team’s No. 1 wide receiver and history’s No. 1 tight end continue to be the offense’s most reliable playmakers. They generated half of the team’s passing yards, along with 75% of the scores.

Losers​

Wide receiver Rashee Rice and tight end Travis Kelce: Yes, the wide receiver and tight end are making a rare double-list appearance. For all of their production, each has had critical drops in multiple games this season, which seems to derail a drive like little else can. Down a touchdown against the Cowboys with 11 minutes to go, the Chiefs had a golden opportunity. A good punt return by Nikko Remigio set up a drive that should have tied the score with plenty of time left. Instead, two drops — and a penalty charged to guard Mike Caliendo — led to what was, effectively, a three-and-out. That allowed Dallas to get a two-score lead on its next drive.

Running back Brashard Smith: After making some plays last week, there was hope that the running back was finding his role in the offense. But against Dallas, he was in for only four offensive plays — and never touched the ball. While he did show off his speed on a kick return, the coaches need to find a logical way to use him. Yes.., running back Isiah Pacheco was back in the lineup, so there were fewer snaps to go around. But that shouldn’t mean that one of Kansas City’s fastest playmakers should be sidelined.

Head coach Andy Reid: The offense punted on both second-quarter drives and both third-quarter drives. All four of those punts were between the Kansas City 49-yard line and the Dallas 35-yard line. After sacks and penalties pushed them to longer yardage, Reid shouldn’t necessarily have tried to convert every one of these fourth downs, but at least one might have been feasible. In these situations, the Chiefs aren’t putting playmakers in position to do what they do best (for example: wide receiver Xavier Worthy’s stop-motion carry for a loss). The penalties were maddening — 10 for 119 yards — and that’s on the coaches, too. On game day, the head coach’s job includes adjustments, creativity, good decisions and the right personnel in the right places. On Thursday, Reid’s performance just wasn’t good enough.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo: Speaking of the right personnel in the right places… we need to keep calling out the defense’s boss until the rotation of his defensive backs makes more sense. Nohl Williams might be the best outside cover corner on the squad — so of course, he got only six snaps against the Dallas passing attack. Cornerback Trent McDuffie is the team’s best inside/slot corner. He literally has only one weakness: receivers like the Cowboys’ wideouts George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. So why would Kansas City have him follow Lamb around the field, picking up pass-interference calls along the way?

Cornerback Trent McDuffie: Let me be clear: I do not blame the cornerback for how he performed on Thursday. As soon as it became clear the officials would penalize McDuffie whenever the big receivers manhandled him, the coaching staff should have adjusted the plan. Teams usually don’t target McDuffie because his guy usually isn’t open — but with Lamb and Pickens playing like that, open didn’t matter. It was a bad matchup for the All-Pro corner, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a great player. He deserves to be paid this offseason — but after what we saw on Thanksgiving, his price may have gone down a bit. He gave up more catches, yards, touchdowns and pass-interference calls than ever before in his pro career.

Defensive back Chamarri Conner: If we don’t blame McDuffie for being put in a bad spot by the coaching staff, we should extend that same courtesy to Conner. He has a couple of things he does really well — including tackling and blitzing. But he’s become an easy target in coverage, allowing a 140.1 passer rating when targeted. It reminds me of the situation with former safety Dan Sorensen: when Kansas City blitzed, it had to send him. If Conner is left in coverage — just like with Sorensen — it’s an easy completion for opposing offenses.

Chiefs’ offensive line depth: Coming into this game on a short week without guard Trey Smith? That wasn’t ideal. But to then lose both starting tackles during the game? That put the group into a terrible place. It feels like they can get by with either Caliendo, center Hunter Nourzad or tackle Wanya Morris on the field — but with all three playing at once, the offense became ineffective, subjecting Mahomes to far too many hits and sacks. Yes… a couple of those sacks were insanely late in the play (indicating nobody was open and the quarterback was trying to keep it alive), but many pressures were quick and disruptive — and some running plays were doomed from the snap. The trainers will be working overtime this week, but losing tackle Josh Simmons (likely for the season) means we may have to see more of the deep depth.

Defensive end George Karlaftis: Defensive tackle Chris Jones was fighting, but he can’t do it alone. At some point, Karlaftis has to get some one-on-one wins — or the pass rush will never be good enough to get off the field on third-and-long. Over the past couple of seasons, he’s shown flashes of improvement, which led the team to pay him $22 million per year until 2030. But the production has to improve. There isn’t some magical pass rusher who will join this team and change its fate. It has to come from Karlaftis.

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Please note: the labels “winners” and “losers” are not judgments of talent or character. They simply reflect single-game performance. No disrespect is intended.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...s-from-the-chiefs-week-13-loss-to-the-cowboys

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Kansas City Chiefs are favorites over Houston Texans in Week 14 odds

On Sunday, the (6-6) Kansas City Chiefs will host the (7-5) Houston Texans on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in a pivotal Week 14 matchup. The “Sunday Night Football” kickoff is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. Arrowhead Time on NBC — locally on KSHB/41.

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Kansas City has opened as a 4.5-point favorite in the game.

In Week 16 last year, the Chiefs opened as 3-point favorites against the Texans, winning that game 27-19. The Chiefs are coming off a 31-28 road defeat to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving — a game for which they opened as 3.5-point favorites. In Week 13, the Texans started the week as a 3.5-point road underdog to the Indianapolis Colts, but earned a 20-16 win.

The Chiefs enter Sunday’s matchup with a season’s worth of urgency. It’s a true must-win — the kind that shapes January. A stumble here would force Kansas City to navigate a crowded AFC field, rely on outside help and put their seven-year run of AFC Championship appearances in even more jeopardy. Meanwhile, a Houston win would keep it firmly in the hunt for the AFC South title.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...favorites-over-houston-texans-in-week-14-odds

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs’ failure to pressure Dak Prescott was big factor in Cowboys loss

On Thanksgiving Day, the Kansas City Chiefs suffered a back-breaking 31-28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys that pushed their record to 6-6.

While the game was full of low moments for Kansas City, the defense’s poor performance loomed large. Outside of the opening drive, the Chiefs’ secondary struggled — and the defensive line failed to put pressure on the Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott.

Kansas City registered only six quarterback hits — and just four were from the defensive line. Prescott completed 27 of 39 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns, delivering the ball to wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens with ease.

It was a rough game for the pass rush — and its lack of success strained the entire defense.

Chris Jones did what he could​

A week after he propelled Kansas City to a victory against the Indianapolis Colts, defensive tackle Chris Jones did all he could against Dallas. While he didn’t record a sack, he was the only Chiefs player who consistently pressured Prescott — even though he was double-teamed on half of the pass-rushing snaps he played.

Chris Jones, 34 pass rush snaps vs Dallas
8 pressures
Double-teamed 17 times
Dallas used 10 play-action/screen plays through the game

I struggled to find anyone else who created any consistent pressure, even with the blitz on.

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) November 28, 2025

Prescott utilized a quick passing game — featuring multiple slants and other quick hitters — to complete passes to Lamb and Pickens. Kansas City’s defensive backs struggled to guard the larger receivers. It seemed like the only way to force incompletions was when Jones applied pressure.

Only saving grace on this slant attempt was that Chris Jones created pressure and forced a quick pass from Dak. Unless 95 won yesterday, there was no pass rush. pic.twitter.com/BYFnY4zbxP

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) November 28, 2025

Of the 17 pass-rushing snaps where Jones was blocked one-on-one, he won eight of them — which is even more notable because for most of the game, the ball was out of Prescott’s hands in less than three seconds.

Less than a week after his heroic effort to rally Kansas City against Indianapolis, Jones once again did his part — but the rest of the team couldn’t come through.

Late in the game, the frustration of the long season (and the short week) boiled over.

Chris Jones blocked initially, but does a great job working and getting ready to stop Prescott if he tries to run. Bolton was also going to be there. Conner goes to stop the QB as well, but this leaves the RB wide open. Jones was super frustrated after the play. pic.twitter.com/sWkjEbkQDN

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) November 28, 2025

Here, Jones is one-on-one against rookie guard Tyler Booker. He tries to win the A-gap — but initially, Booker powers down to block him. Prescott has nothing, so he leaves the pocket. Jones fights over Booker’s block, putting himself in position to stop the quarterback or draw a holding call. Linebacker Nick Bolton is also in pursuit, which should make this an easy stop for Kansas City.

But safety Chamarri Conner leaves the flat to pursue Prescott — which leaves the running back wide open in the end zone. Prescott dumps it down for a score — and afterward, Jones is visibly frustrated with Conner.

Lack of pressure from everyone else​

Outside of Jones, no other Kansas City player was able to create consistent pressure. For the defensive line, it was one of the worst games of the season.

Defensive ends George Karlaftis, Mike Danna and Charles Omenihu all failed to create pressure. Outside of Jones, the only Kansas City defensive lineman to put pressure on Prescott for even one snap was nose tackle Derrick Nnadi.

One of the only snaps I can find where Jones got doubled, and another Chief was able to create pressure. Nnadi keeps fighting through after the LG vacates and puts some pressure on Dak. pic.twitter.com/fIKerfnKMN

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) November 28, 2025

On this play-action look, Jones is double-teamed off the snap, but no one else wins quickly. Nnadi keeps fighting and forces an inaccurate pass.

The defensive line was dormant for the whole game — but this has been an issue for a while.

The Chiefs defensive ends recorded a combined 1 sack in November – Half from Karlaftis and Gillotte against Buffalo.

Not good football, and a big reason they went 1-3 over the month.

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) November 30, 2025

The team’s inability to create pressure with four rushers has forced Kansas City to rely on blitzing — but on Thursday, even that didn’t work very well.

Omenihu drops while Bolton and Hicks come on the blitz. Karlaftis and Gillotte go with a T/E stunt, but no one can win the snap. No pressure on Prescott, and he finds Lamb wide open. pic.twitter.com/3X7nZjeJYB

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) November 30, 2025

Sending heat through blitzes has been a hallmark of the Chiefs’ defense ever since coordinator Steve Spagnuolo took over the unit in 2019 — but without blitzers who can consistently win at the point of attack, it has been far less effective this season — and even worse, has become predictable. In the past, the element of surprise has helped to create chaos in critical situations. But now, even that is gone.

The bottom line​

Kansas City has many issues to solve — but these defensive problems are the hardest to address. With only five games left to play, there is no magic solution for players who cannot quickly create pressure. This will need to be handled in the offseason.

This season, the defensive line has failed Jones — who, at 31, is finally showing his age. One day, the Chiefs’ star defensive tackle will take his place in Canton. But the wear and tear from carrying the defense — and the high number of snaps he has been playing — have led to a season that hasn’t been up to his usual standard.

Last season, Jones played the third-most snaps of any NFL defensive lineman — and is nearly six years older than both players ahead of him: Karlaftis and the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive tackle Nnamdi Madibuike. The close games (and long playoff runs) have taken their toll — and this season, Kansas City is paying for it.

In the offseason, the team needs a plan to address these pass-rushing issues. Karlaftis is a team leader (and well respected within the organization), but his inability to get quickly get pressure is unlikely to change over time. Omenihu and Danna aren’t likely to return next season, which leaves only a small group of young players with Jones and Karlaftis.

The good news is also the bad news: the offseason is likely to arrive sooner than usual.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...ssure-dak-prescott-was-factor-in-cowboys-loss

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

4 things the Chiefs must do before the season ends

The Kansas City Chiefs were widely expected to field a better team this season than they did in 2024, when they turned in the best record in franchise history — and then became the first team to ever return to the Super Bowl after winning the previous two.

But now the team is 6-6 after losing three of their last four games — all of them by a single score.

1. Win the next five games​

These matchups will be against the (7-5) Houston Texans, (8-4) Los Angeles Chargers, (1-11) Tennessee Titans, (10-2) Denver Broncos and (2-10) Las Vegas Raiders.

Here’s the good news: all three contests against postseason contenders will be played on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, where the team is 5-1 in 2025 — and hasn’t lost a game since recording a 20-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2.

But there’s bad news, too: two of those teams have already defeated Kansas City in 2025 — and the other now owns a four-game winning streak that includes victories over three AFC playoff contenders.

Can they do it?

“[We’re] one or two plays away,” head coach Andy Reid told reporters on Monday. “That’s what this game is. Look at our season: we’re one or two plays off. We’ve got to take care of that — whether it’s a penalty at a crucial time, [a] possible turnover somewhere or having a chance to create a turnover. We’re right in [a] position where if we can figure out those two [or] three plays, [we can] flip this around.”

If the Chiefs can do that, it will take only a few of a dozen or so games going the right way for Kansas City to make the postseason.

2. Get the offensive line healthy before the playoffs​

At the end of Thursday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys, left tackle Josh Simmons, right guard Trey Simmons and right tackle Jawaan Taylor were on the sidelines. We’ve learned from bitter experience what can happen if the Chiefs enter the playoffs without their starters on the offensive line. Making the postseason might mean very little if Kansas City can’t get its big guys back on the field.

“The guys are working to get themselves healthy right now,” said Reid on Monday, “[and] everybody is in the process. Josh is getting a second evaluation on his wrist; we’ll just see what goes from there. Then [the] other guys — Trey and JT — all those guys are improving as we go forward here. We’ll see how they do here the next couple of days.”

In the meantime, the contract that general manager Brett Veach gave reserve tackle Jaylon Moore is looking better and better.

3. Find a way to get some pass rush​

On Thanksgiving, the Chiefs’ pass rush couldn’t bring the Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott to the ground even once — and didn’t even record a single quarterback pressure. In the team’s other three November games, the defense collected five sacks and 27 pressures.

Can you guess which of the opposing teams in those games scored the most points?

Kansas City needs to improve its pass rush. But the unit is clearly capable of getting some pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Somehow, though, Dallas managed to shut it down. That cannot continue.

“You can’t allow quarterbacks at this level to stand back there and throw the ball with just comfortable feet,” noted Reid on Monday. “I think we know that. So, you have got to make sure that you have pressure on those guys — [and] when that takes place you have got to make sure your coverage is tight.”

Adding talent to the defensive line will have to wait. But somehow, Joe Cullen’s unit needs to get its mojo back.

4. Get control of penalties​

There have been games where Kansas City has collected more penalties or been penalized for more yards. But it’s hard to recall a game like the one in Dallas — where so many of the Chiefs’ opportunities were ruined by penalties.

“[The] obvious [problem] is the penalty situation,“ declared Reid in Monday’s opening statement. ”We have got to make sure we take care of business with the penalties — [that we] keep working on the fundamentals and techniques.

“I’m not telling you I agree with all of them — or half of them — but I will tell you that they took place. So we’re not going to use that as any kind of an excuse. We’re going to work on getting better at what we do — and what we can control — [and] then we will take it from there.“

The coach sees no percentage in complaining to the league beyond the token opportunities each team is given after every game.

“You’re never going to agree with everything,” he explained. “You’re not going to do that, so you try to express yourself — and then you move on. There’s nothing you can do. There’s never been a [penalty] call [where] me griping gets [it] changed. You just hope that between the two parties, you can come together and figure out what it is. [One], from a coaching standpoint, what I can tell my guys? And two, maybe it can help an official.

“That’s what I’ve found over the years. That’s probably the best way — and the only way — to get it done.”

Meanwhile, the team needs to play well enough that the officials’ actions become a footnote to each game — rather than the overriding narrative.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...ngs-the-chiefs-must-do-before-the-season-ends

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs host Texans: Week 14 news, injury updates and previews

In Week 14, the (6-6) Kansas City Chiefs will welcome the (7-5) Houston Texans to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri for a pivotal game in the AFC playoff race. It will be a primetime battle on “Sunday Night Football,” kicking off at 7:20 p.m. Arrowhead time.

After losing 31-28 to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, the Chiefs have backed themselves into a corner with no room for another loss in the battle for a postseason berth. The Texans are alive in the playoff hunt (and the race for an AFC South title) after defeating the Indianapolis Colts 20-16 in Week 13.

Kansas City’s 1-5 record against current playoff teams this season has eliminated all margin for error in the remaining five games. The (10-2) Denver Broncos are two wins away from clinching the AFC West — and the three current AFC Wild Card teams all have two fewer losses than the Chiefs.

Here’s our complete coverage

• What current AFC Wild Card team drops out? Take the ‘Reacts’ survey
• NFL Power Rankings Week 14 Roundup: Chiefs plummet after loss in Dallas
• Can the Chiefs no longer solve their biggest problem?
• Kansas City Chiefs are favorites over Houston Texans in Week 14 odds
• Chiefs Playoff Picture: Missing the postseason is a real possibility

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...s-texans-week-14-news-injury-updates-previews

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Former Chiefs’ safety Tyrann Mathieu teases about a return to the team

Appearing with Kay Adams on her “Up and Adams” show on Tuesday, former Kansas City Chiefs’ safety Tyrann Mathieu — now retired from the New Orleans Saints after starting 17 games for them in 2024 — teased the possibility that he might come back to the league — and Kansas City.

Tyrann Mathieu back to the Chiefs???

HE'S ALL FOR IT.

Brett Veach on line 1.
pic.twitter.com/o0yO23qyua

— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) December 1, 2025

“Can you come back?” asked the FanDuel host, who happened to be interviewing Mathieu at the Chiefs’ facility on the grounds of the Truman Sports Complex in Kansas City.

“I mean, I’m not gonna say no,” replied Mathieu. “I won’t say no.”

“Are we walking down to Brett [Veach’s] office after this?” asked Adams. “I’m not kidding. Are you going to go visit them today? Yes?”

“Yeah, probably,” said Mathieu. “I’ve stayed in contact with — you know, obviously Brett — but mostly Coach Reid. His grandson actually plays on the football team with my son — so it’s a family, you know.”

Adams nodded.

“You have a different tune now than when we talked about this the day after you retired,” she observed, “where you were like, ‘Maybe. Maybe not.’ Why now? Why does it feel like you’re a little different — [that] you feel a little more willing to come back?”

“It’s the fact that, you know, you want to help your friends,” explained the three-time All-Pro. “Like, you want your friends to have, like, a fighting chance.

“I mean, fans hit me up all the time on Twitter — X, you know — and they want me to come back. But mostly, they want me to come back to just provide that energy — that attitude. So I think we’re just missing a little bit of that.”

Is it likely that the 33-year-old Mathieu — who played a key role in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s defense during his three years with the Chiefs — might come back to the team with only weeks remaining in the season? Probably not.

It’s true, however, that his old friends might need some help to have a fighting chance — and he did say “we’re” missing a little bit of the energy he once provided to his Kansas City teammates.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...ty-tyrann-mathieu-teases-about-return-to-team

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Andy Reid: Josh Simmons headed to Reserve/Injured with wrist injury

When he began Wednesday’s press briefing, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid used his opening statement to share some bad news about his rookie left tackle.

“Josh Simmons ended up having surgery on that wrist” said Reid, “for a fracture and a dislocation. He’ll go on to IR — and then we’ll just see about the recovery on that.“

Simmons left Thursday’s 31-28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys with a wrist injury — and after the game, he was observed with his arm in a sling and his wrist in a cast.

Reid expects that Simmons — who recovered from his last season’s patellar tendon injury more rapidly than expected — will be able to bounce back quickly.

“The kid loves to play football,” said Reid of Simmons. “He’s depressed about that part. That’s probably the wrong word; he’s down about that part. But he’s upbeat. I mean, the surgery went well, which was a real positive. So he feels good about that. And then it’s just a matter of coming back. He’s did a great job with his knee coming back. He’s a worker, so whatever he can do to rehab it, he’s going to do. That’s just how he rolls.”

As usual, Reid was noncommittal about the possibility that Simmons could be back for the postseason.

“We’ll see how that goes,” he offered. “I’ve gotta wait just a little bit on that and see how that goes with his recovery — but there’s always that chance.”

In the meantime, it looks like the team will fill Simmons’ vacant roster spot with a tackle from the practice squad.

“Esa Pole, by the way, will take that spot,” noted Reid at the end of his opening statement. “He’ll be the one elevated.”

Reid’s use of the term “elevated” suggested that Pole might be brought up on a game-by-game basis — but that’s not entirely consistent with saying Pole will “take that spot.” So it might be that the team plans to activate Pole to the roster — which would allow him to be available for the four (or more) games Simmons will miss on the Reserve/Injured list. If he’s elevated game-by-game, however, he’d be limited to three appearances on the roster.

UPDATE: Later on Wednesday, the Chiefs used their X account to officially announce adding Simmons to the Reserve/Injured list and activating Pole to the 53-man roster. The team also announced that it had filled Pole’s previous spot by signing former Cowboys tackle Matt Waletzko to the practice squad. The 6-foot-8, 305-pound Waletzko was a fifth-round pick in 2022. Over three seasons in Dallas, he appeared in 11 games. He worked out with the Chiefs on Monday.

However it happens, though, Pole will be in a depth role. If right tackle Jawaan Taylor continues to miss time (according to Reid, Taylor and right guard Trey Smith were both being held out of Wednesday’s practice), Reid indicated that Wayna Morris would “probably” play in Simmons’ place at left tackle, while Jaylon Moore would fill in for Taylor on the right.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...s-headed-to-reserve-injured-with-wrist-injury

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs-Texans Wednesday injury report: 4 players missing

Each practice day of the season, the Kansas City Chiefs release an official injury report leading up to the next game. In the NFL’s Week 14, Kansas City will host the Houston Texans on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for “Sunday Night Football.” Kickoff is set for 7:20 p.m. Arrowhead Time.

Here is the Chiefs’ first official injury report of the week:

Chiefs​

Player	Ps	Injury	Wed	Thu	Fri	Status
Trey Smith	G	Ankle	DNP	–	–	–
Jawaan Taylor	T	Triceps – Knee	DNP	–	–	–
Chris Roland-Wallace	CB	Back	DNP	–	–	–
Patrick Mahomes	QB	Knee	FP	–	–	–
Isiah Pacheco	RB	Knee	FP	–	–	–
Noah Gray	TE	Concussion – Shoulder	FP	–	–	–
Nikko Remigio	WR	Shoulder	FP	–	–	–
Rashee Rice	WR	Hamstring	FP	–	–	–
George Karlaftis	DE	Thumb	FP	–	–	–
Bryan Cook	S	Ankle	FP	–	–	–
Jaden Hicks	S	Shoulder	FP	–	–	–

Texans​

Player	Ps	Injury	Wed	Thu	Fri	Status
Woody Marks	RB	Ankle	DNP	–	–	–
Trent Brown	OT	Hand	DNP	–	–	–
Denico Autry	DT	Knee	DNP	–	–	–
Tim Settle	DT	Foot	DNP	–	–	–
Will Anderson Jr.	DE	Chest – Shoulder	DNP	–	–	–
Jamal Hill	LB	Hamtring	DNP	–	–	–
Kamari Lassiter	CB	Foot	DNP	–	–	–
Jaylen Reed	SAF	Forearm	DNP	–	–	–
Azeez Al-Shaair	LB	Knee	LP	–	–	–

Some notes​

• For the Chiefs, the biggest news is the absence of left tackle Josh Simmons, who is not shown on the report. The rookie left last Thursday’s game in Dallas with a wrist injury. On Wednesday, we learned that he has had surgery for a fracture and dislocation of his wrist. The team has placed him on the Reserve/Injured list — and since he is not on the roster, he is not shown on the injury report. Under NFL rules, he will miss at least four games.
• As usual, Reid was noncommittal about the possibility that Simmons could be back for the postseason. “We’ll see how that goes,” he said. “I’ve gotta wait just a little bit on that and see how that goes with his recovery — but there’s always that chance.”
• Three other players were held out of practice. Like Simmons, two of them are starting offensive linemen: right guard Trey Smith (ankle) and right tackle Jawaan Taylor (triceps – knee). Smith missed the Thanksgiving game with the ankle injury he suffered against the Indianapolis Colts. Taylor was injured in Dallas.
• The other missing Kansas City player was cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace (back), who was also injured in the victory over the Colts and missed the road game against the Cowboys.
• For the Texans, five starters did not participate in Wednesday’s practice: right tackle Trent Brown (hand), defensive tackle Tim Settle (foot), defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (chest – shoulder), cornerback Kamari Lassiter (foot) and rookie running back Woody Marks (ankle), who took over from Nick Chubb a few weeks ago.
• On Wednesday, head coach DeMeco Ryans said Anderson, Lassiter and Marks are expected to be available for Sunday’s game. “They’ll all be fine,” he told reporters. “We’ll see how the week goes.”
• Three other players did not participate: rotational defensive tackle Denico Autry (knee), special teams linebacker Jamal Hill (hamstring) and special teams safety Jaylen Reed (forearm).
• Autry is dealing with a lingering injury, but will probably be available to play this weekend. Hill missed Week 13; his status for Sunday is unknown. Reid was a defensive starter in Week 13, but suffered a forearm injury that will require surgery.
• Finally, starting outside linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) was a limited participant on Wednesday.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...ans-wednesday-injury-report-4-players-missing

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs see Texans as aggressive and confident on both sides of the ball

The Kansas City Chiefs are clinging to their playoff lives as Week 14’s “Sunday Night Football” matchup with the Houston Texans looms.

The challenge begins with a feared Houston defense that currently leads the league with a -0.18 expected points added (EPA), per Next Gen Stats.

“You’ve got to match their intensity,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes told reporters on Wednesday. “I think that’s the biggest thing. Obviously the D-line’s good. The linebackers are good, and the DBs are good. But I think what makes them who they are is how hard they play. Every single snap they’re flying around and they’re trying to make plays happen. They’re trying to intercept the football. They’re trying to knock the football out. They’re trying to make big hits. So, we’ve got to match that intensity — as an offense and as a team — in order to go out there and get a win.”

Center Creed Humphrey will be lining up against the Texas defense for the third time in a year.

“They play aggressive defense,” he observed. “They’re really sound technically, really sound schematically, and they play very hard. Everybody has a great motor on the defense — so whatever scheme they’re playing that week, they’re doing a great job with it. For us, it’s just about coming out and making sure we match that energy — and bring more — and to show up with the right mindset on Sunday.”

Making things worse, the Chiefs could be facing Houston’s defensive front with multiple backups on the offensive line. Starting left tackle Josh Simmons was placed on the Reserve/Injured list on Wednesday after undergoing wrist surgery. Right guard Trey Smith and right tackle Jawaan Taylor also missed Wednesday’s practice with injuries.

Reid suggested that Mike Caliendo would continue filling in for Smith — and if needed, Wanya Morris and Jaylon Moore are in line at the tackle spots. He noted that Caliendo played well in both of last season’s games against the Texans — and in 2024’s regular-season matchup against Houston, Morris took over at right tackle when Taylor was injured.

Still, the coach knows that it will be a difficult test.

“They did a good job,” recalled Reid of Morris and Calidendo’s performances last season, “so they know what they’re up against. That’s a great defensive front — a great defense. All three levels are really good, and they’re No. 1 in a lot of categories there, defensively. But those guys are getting themselves ready to go.”

Mahomes pushed back a little on a suggestion that under the circumstances, he will have to run the ball more often.

“You’re going to have to utilize everything,” he insisted, “not just my legs. You’ve got to utilize everything you have to go out there and win. This is a really good football team that’s playing really good football right now — and has a really good defense. So we’re going to throw it all out there and try to find a way to win. This will be a big game for us to showcase who we are — and who we think we can be — moving on the rest of the season.”

But the Texans’ defense won’t be the only concern. The Houston squad is riding a four-game winning streak. Three of those wins featured backup quarterback Davis Mills, who was filling in for C.J. Stroud while the starting quarterback was sidelined with a concussion.

“They’re a confident group,” cornerback Trent McDuffie said of the Texans’ offense. “Even when C.J. was out, the offense was still rolling. They’re still doing a lot of good things. I feel it’s one of those offenses that runs what they run. They rely on their strengths. They rely on their playmakers. They just go out there and play fast — and they have a really good defense.

“As a defense, on our part, I feel like we’ve got to outplay their defense — and we’ve got to make sure we go into this game understanding how they’re going to attack us. They played us last year twice, but they’ll definitely have a few new caveats. They’re good — and they’re strong where they’re strong.”

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...l-aggressive-and-confident-in-week-14-matchup

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs know execution must improve at crucial moments against Texans

The Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 14 matchup with the Houston Texans is truly a do-or-die game. In a battle between two playoff hopefuls, the pressure is on Kansas City to avoid a de facto elimination with a seventh loss.

The Chiefs are feeling it from the top down. In recent weeks, head coach Andy Reid has repeatedly pointed out his team’s lack of execution — and did so again in Wednesday’s press briefing

“What we need to do is take care of some of the little things, the penalty things,” he declared. “They take you out of drives, so you’re not scrambling as you go there. You have to clean that up.”

Kansas City has drawn 102 penalty flags this season, the league’s tenth-highest mark.

“[For] some of that,” continued Reid, “we have to give the guys the right plays to try to execute to their strengths. Coaching is part of it — [and] playing is part of it. We all have a piece of that pie.”

As we might expect, quarterback Patrick Mahomes assumes more than his share of the responsibility for these issues.

“More than anything, we just have to execute at a higher level,” he said. “I feel like we’ve done a lot of good things — but at the same time, we’ve made a lot of mistakes that we haven’t been able to overcome. We have to be better in those bigger moments, not make those mistakes — and at the end of the day, go prove it… I believe that’s something we can do.”

It has become a common theme in the losses: faltering in key stretches of the contest. Against the Dallas Cowboys, the Chiefs were outscored 13-0 in the second and third quarter — despite having the last drive of the first half and the opening drive of the second. In the 22-19 loss to the Denver Broncos, Kansas City managed one scoring drive in the fourth quarter, while the Broncos had three.

“If you look at every game that we’ve lost this year, we’ve been right in it up until the end,” noted Mahomes. “But we haven’t made those plays. We’re definitely close. [But] like I’ve said these last few weeks, [while] we can be close, we can’t be close for too long. You have to go out there and make it happen.”

On “Sunday Night Football,” Houston will come in with a vaunted defense that has allowed a league-low 16.5 points (and 266 total yards) per game. This battle could play out as a low-scoring brawl, which requires the Chiefs’ defense to match both the intensity and execution of the Texans.

That will take a focused effort — with higher energy — from the defenders and special teams contributors. Cornerback Trent McDuffie believes each of those phases needs to get locked in.

“I think each group — defense, offense, special teams — kind of have to clean them up on their own,” he observed. “When you look at the games where we do really good, it’s a cohesive unit. Everybody is playing on the same court — [and] everybody is doing their responsibility at a high level. We have success that way.

[But] when guys come in and one person makes a mistake — [and] then one person over here makes a mistake —it has that trickling effect. That’s sometimes when we get in trouble.”

Over the next month, the team will need consistency to return to its potential. That, however, is easier said than done. While patience is a virtue, that may not be realistic for a team with its back against the wall.

“I think it’s tough, in a sense, that we like to win,” reflected Mahomes. “We all know it’s a process — and we all know that we just have to continue to give ourselves a chance and continue to get better. [But] when you have a lot of guys that like to win, it’s tough when you lose.”

Center Creed Humphrey understands the step-by-step mentality that is now required.

“It’s about showing up every day,” he said. “It’s about coming in on game day, executing, doing your job, things like that… The ship’s not sinking or anything. We’re still right where we need to be: just making sure we’re coming in and proving it each week.”

In Kansas City, the glass is half full — and that attitude could make a world of difference as the team attempts to defy the odds.

“I think that’s one thing that makes us great: that no one is hanging their head,” said Mahomes. “Everybody is ready to go out there and prove ourselves this next week… It’s a great opportunity at Arrowhead to showcase who we think we can be the rest of this season. It starts on Sunday.”

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...ust-improve-at-crucial-moments-against-texans

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs-Texans: 5 things to watch in pivotal Week 14 battle

The (6-6) Kansas City Chiefs will take on the (7-5) Houston Texans on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for a “Sunday Night Football” game that will have major playoff implications. Kickoff is set for 7:20 p.m. Arrowhead time and will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock — locally on KSHB/41. It’s the Chiefs’ sixth of seven total primetime games this season.

After a brutal loss on Thanksgiving Day to the Dallas Cowboys, the Chiefs are the 10th seed in the AFC playoff picture. The Texans are also on the outside looking in, but they have gotten hot at the right time. Houston has won four straight games coming into Arrowhead, led by one of the best defensive units in the NFL.

Temperatures at kickoffs will be in the low 20s, and this game could be shaping up to be a slugfest. Here are five things to watch:

1. The Texans’ pass rush​

The Houston pass rush boasts two elite edge rushers and has been the key cog in their recent string of success. Defensive end Danielle Hunter is tied for fourth in the NFL with eleven sacks, and phenom edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. is tied for sixth with 10.5.

This pair of highly talented edge rushers has been enough to give fits to teams with solid offensive tackle play, but the Chiefs will be without starters at left and right tackle: Josh Simmons and Jawaan Taylor. Simmons was placed on IR, while Taylor was ruled doubtful to play after failing to practice all week.

According to Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid on Wednesday, Wanya Morris could start at left tackle, and Jaylon Moore at right tackle. But when asked to confirm that on Friday, Reid took a step back.

“Yeah, they’ve actually worked both sides,” said Reid. “So we’ll just make that decision when we get there.”

Due to a hectic campaign up front, both players have played in some capacity this season — but this week, they will need to turn in quality performances against the ferocious Texans’ edge-rushing combo.

2. Chiefs’ offensive line injuries​

The Chiefs will have backup offensive tackles starting this week, and right guard Trey Smith was ruled doubtful to play. That means backup guard Mike Caliendo will likely make his third start this year. He will be the third reserve lineman on Kansas City’s starting line against the NFL’s No. 1 defense in yards per game (266) and points allowed (16.5).

Taylor and Simmons being down limits what the Chiefs will be able to do in the downfield passing game, and how long Mahomes can remain in the pocket. The loss of Smith — arguably the team’s best run blocker — limits what they can do handing the ball off, and might force the play-calling to go away from it if there is no early success.

The team will need center Creed Humphrey and left guard Kingsley Suamataia to carry the load among a tattered unit.

3. A rock fight​

This game could be shaping up to be an all-time fight. The Chiefs are ranked ninth in the NFL in scoring, but with the heavy dose of backups in the trenches this week, the average is likely not to be reached against a strong Houston defense.

On the other side of the ball, the Texans’ offense has been in the lower third of the league this season in scoring offense, averaging only 21.9 points per game. This is partly due to quarterback C.J. Stroud missing time due to injury — but even when Stroud has played, he has sometimes struggled.

The weather could also play a factor in the game, preventing many points from being scored.

4. Stopping Nico Collins​

For the second game in a row, the Chiefs will be facing a team with larger wide receivers. Last week, the Chiefs’ secondary was lit up by the Cowboys’ duo of wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens; the Texans will likely try to capitalize on some of the same looks.

Texans’ wide receiver Nico Collins could create a mismatch nightmare for the Chiefs. At 6 feet 4 inches, Collins is the Texans’ top wideout and uses his strong frame to create separation off the line of scrimmage, as well as win contested catch opportunities.

After cornerback Trent McDuffie struggled all game against Pickens and Lamb, it is unlikely the Chiefs will match him up with Collins one-on-one too often. It will likely defer to cornerback Jaylen Watson with help over the top.

There should not be as many points on Sunday as the Thanksgiving game, but the defense will need to prevent the Texans from passing down the field for big gains — and then stop Collins in the red zone.

5. Kicking game​

A big play on special teams could define this game. With two offenses that could struggle in poor weather conditions, the kicking game will be all the more important.

Texans’ kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn is having a solid season. He’s converted 90% of field goals and 100% of point-after attempts, but has a history of missing kicks at Arrowhead.

Dating back to the historic 2019 AFC Divisional playoff game, Fairbairn has missed four kicks in Arrowhead in over just three games, including two in last season’s postseason trip to Kansas City.

Earlier this season, Chiefs’ kicker Harrison Butker was shaky — especially by his usual standard — but has never missed a kick against Houston at Arrowhead.

This game feels like it will come down to a late field goal, and with bad weather expected, there will be a lot of weight riding on each kicker’s foot.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kansas-city-chiefs-roster/188289/5-things-to-watch-vs-texans-week-14

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

In Week 14’s ‘Reacts’ poll, Chiefs’ fans see Chargers missing playoffs

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Each week, we send out questions to the most plugged-in Kansas City Chiefs fans. You can see all of the recent survey results here.

And be sure to check out FanDuel Sportsbook, the official sportsbook partner of SB Nation.

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Chiefs fans’ confidence​

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The fan confidence in Chiefs’ Kingdom nearly hit a season low after the Thanksgiving Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but it didn’t reach the 18% mark recorded in the wake of Kansas City’s Week 11 loss to the Denver Broncos.

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Which AFC Wild Card team won’t make it?​

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Nearly a majority of Chiefs’ fans believe the (8-4) Los Angeles Chargers will fall out of playoff contention, despite currently being the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs.

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Which running back do you want to see more?​

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Chiefs Kingdom wants to see more of the rookie running back.

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Who do NFL fans see winning the AFC West​

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In a poll of NFL fans, the results show that very few people believe the Chiefs will make a comeback in the race for a division title.

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NFL fans’ picks for Week 14​

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National fans predicted the Chiefs to defeat the (7-5) Houston Texans in Week 14.

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Click here to see other recent survey results.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/nfl-...lts-chiefs-fans-see-chargers-missing-playoffs

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

The Chiefs’ 3 biggest questions about Week 14 against the Texans

The Kansas City Chiefs are 6-6 after Thanksgiving’s 31-28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, which has put the team close to elimination from the postseason. Now the team has had a mini-bye to prepare for hosting the Houston Texans in this week’s episode of “Sunday Night Football.”

Here’s what I’ll be wondering as the Week 14 matchup gets underway.

1. With offensive line injuries, how will the Chiefs protect Patrick Mahomes?​

The Houston defense features defensive end Will Anderson — who is playing like a Defensive Player of the Year candidate — and defensive end Danielle Hunter, who continues to play incredible football. They also get good pass rush from defensive tackles Tim Settle, Sheldon Rankins, Mario Edwards and Tommy Togiai, along with defensive ends Derek Barnett and Denico Autry. While Settle was just placed on the Texans’ Reserve/Injured list, those who remain can (and will) run a variety of stunts and slants to get their freak athletes looping inside very fast. They are, frankly, terrifying.

Unfortunately, the Kansas City offensive line is not healthy. Left tackle Josh Simmons has landed on the Reserve/Injured list after wrist surgery. Right guard Trey Smith and right tackle Jawaan Taylor are both doubtful for Sunday’s game. Even if they play, they likely won’t be at 100%.

There’s a real chance the Chiefs will be without 60% of their offensive line. That’s a nightmare. How could the team work around it?

For starters, it should play most of its snaps under center. I know head coach Andy Reid doesn’t want to do that, but getting into heavier personnel is a way to help the linemen. From a spread formation, the only way to support the offensive line is to double-chip both edges. This means just three passing routes can be run — which is far easier for the defense to cover

But by going under center, heavy personnel can pitch in on the protection — and it would help Kansas City’s running game. If you can only have two or three receivers in the concept, it’s better to pair them with play-action, which the offense can use to catch an aggressive defense napping. By leaning into an under-center game, Kansas City can hunt for deep passes as its runs slow down the aggressive Houston defensive front.

2. Can the Chiefs beat man coverage?​

Given the offensive line, Kansas City cannot go into empty protection. That’s a tough matchup with how the team schemes its routes. The goal is to spread the field, allowing the Chiefs to hit as many quick-hitting passes as possible; the receivers can turn upfield to create yards after catch.

But the weakness of this offense has been beating man coverage. When defenses glove up the quick hitters, it becomes difficult for Kansas City to get its routes open — and that leads to offensive chaos.

The Texans’ defense is elite in man coverage, so it will either jam the Chiefs’ receivers or sit in quarters coverage, covering every crossing route. If Kansas City allows the Houston defense to play aggressively — and dictate the tone — it will be in trouble.

So the Chiefs will need a better game plan than what they had against the Broncos, who used a lot of man coverage to stifle the passing game. How can they do it?

That’s where going under center will help. It’s harder to jam against condensed formations — and in play-action, crossers can be sifted opposite the offensive line. Free releases — especially downfield — are possible.

I think throwing downfield must be the plan. With the current offensive situation, Kansas City won’t be able to sustain long drives. This was a problem against Denver, so the team should go in the opposite direction: hunting for more six-play drives instead of 12-play marches. While it will come with variance, I think this is how the Chiefs can score on Sunday.

3. Can the Chiefs’ defensive line wreck this game?​

Speaking of shaky offensive line play… Houston also has issues. While the Texans are improving (and are on a four-game winning streak), their offensive line is still bad. In their victories, they played a mediocre Jacksonville Jaguars front four, the Tennessee Titans, the Buffalo Bills’ shaky front and the Indianapolis Colts without Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. The last time Houston faced a legitimately good front — the Broncos — it scored just 15 points.

The Chiefs’ pass rush doesn’t compare to Denver’s, but it’s similar to Jacksonville’s — and the Jaguars had success. So this is a game where the Kansas City defense has to dominate up front. Defensive tackle Chris Jones is going to get his pick of bad interior offensive linemen. Can he put together another heroic performance? That’s what he did against the Colts — and while he was great against the Cowboys in the first quarter, he ran out of gas late in the game. With a 10-day interval (and being at home), Jones could have a dominant performance.

Defensive end George Karlaftis had a poor game against Dallas, too, so he also needs to be better. But this is a matchup where he should be able to feast.

Kansas City will need to make this a low-scoring game — and a strong pass rush can help make that happen.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...iggest-questions-about-week-14-against-texans

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

5 questions about the Texans: What’s changed for C.J. Stroud?

On Sunday Night, the Kansas City Chiefs face the Houston Texans We welcome Scott Barzilla of Battle Red Blog — our sister SBNation site covering the Texans — for Five Questions with the Enemy.

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1. With both the Texans and Chiefs in must-win situations, what will Houston need to do to leave Kansas City with a victory?​

The key point of demarcation is 20 points. The Texans have held all but three of their opponents under 20 points, so if they can get to 21 points on offense they have a pretty good chance of winning the game. The key will be getting to quarterback Patrick Mahomes and forcing him to make a couple of mistakes. If Houston can get a short field or two, then they can get to those 21 points and sneak out of Kansas City with a victory.

2. The Texans’ defense ranks first in EPA per play, yards per game and points per game (16.5). What makes it so dominant?​

In short, the Texans make life for opposing quarterbacks very difficult. For the second year in a row, they have led the NFL in opponent completion percentage. They do this with constant pressure and elite corners who can cover receivers one-on-one. The linebackers also do a pretty good job of plugging the holes, making it hard to run the ball. The combination is pretty lethal. The stars of the show are Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter on the edges, as both have already passed 10 sacks on the season. However, their interior defensive line is probably the most improved part of their defense. Most of the players are known to Chiefs fans from last year, so the addition of Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai will be the biggest differences from last year’s defense.

3. The Texans’ offense has been more middle-of-the-pack. What needs to happen for the team to make a strong push toward the postseason?​

Thank you for saying the offense has been middle-of-the-pack. That is a bit of a confidence boost. In fact, the Houston offense is in the bottom third in almost every meaningful category. This is spilling over into your next question, but the problem has been an identity crisis. Stroud and the passing game is the strength of the offense, but head coach DeMeco Ryans wants to be a smash-mouth football team. That dog won’t hunt, as we like to say in the South. The line hasn’t been terrible — it is a lazy narrative to just pile on the offensive line — but they aren’t the kind of line that moves people. The Texans are awful situationally. They suck in short-yardage situations on third and fourth down — and in the red zone, too. If they could be average in those categories they would likely be an average offense overall — and with their defense, they would win virtually all of their games.

4. C.J. Stroud’s rookie season was magical, but he hasn’t matched that production since. What has changed for Stroud — and can he return to his rookie-year form?​

Stroud suffering statistically is akin to the old talking point about Dean Smith being the only coach who could hold Michael Jordan under 30 points a game. The Texans have shifted to a shorter passing game this season to keep Stroud from getting hit. By and large, that has worked. He isn’t getting sacked as often and he is completing a higher percentage of his throws. The numbers overall won’t look as good because Ryans is determined to score 20-24 points, which is just enough to win. On a certain level, I get it. The last two games proved that if you simply don’t turn the ball over, that defense allows you to win most of your games. In Year 1, Stroud led the league in passing yards per game. The coach that has done the best job of keeping Stroud down is Ryans.

5. Outside of Patrick Mahomes, which Chiefs player concerns you the most? Why?​

I always worry about Travis Kelce. Obviously, he is a Hall of Fame player and while he is not what he was during his prime, he is still dangerous. What makes him particularly dangerous is that the Texans have never been great at covering tight ends. The strength of their secondary is in their corners Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter. Both are likely Pro Bowl participants that can lock down outside wide receivers for most of the game. The linebackers and safeties are not quite as good in coverage. Mind you, this is a spot of general improvement from years past, so I don’t know if Kelce goes off for 100-plus yards like he did in the playoffs last season, but he is one guy the Texans may not have an answer for.

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Be sure to check out the answers I gave to their questions by clicking here.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...ons-about-texans-whats-changed-for-c-j-stroud

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs-Texans LIVE updates: Texans lead 10-0 in second quarter

In the Week 14 episode of “Sunday Night Football,” the (6-6) Kansas City Chiefs are hosting the (7-5) Houston Texans in a late-season matchup with serious postseason implications. No longer in complete control of their playoff destiny, the Chiefs need a win against the Texans to make the postseason a 50/50 proposition. Meanwhile, a Houston win will give the team a big step toward a playoff berth — and allow it to stay in contention for the AFC South title.

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First quarter​

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Kansas City began at its own 33 and leaned on Isiah Pacheco for back-to-back 3-yard runs before Patrick Mahomes’ third-down throw to Noah Gray fell incomplete. With nothing developing beyond midfield and Wanya Morris leaving the field after the first snap, Matt Araiza punted from the 39, sending a 48-yard kick that Jaxson Noel secured with a fair catch at the Houston 13.

Houston began at its own 13 and leaned on Will Marks for the early work, using an extra blocker in Ben Fisher to spring a 6-yard gain off left guard. Marks added 3 more up the middle, setting up a manageable second down, but the Texans failed to build real momentum from there. A short pass from C.J. Stroud to Christian Kirk gained 6 yards, but Kansas City’s front stiffened: George Karlaftis and Nick Bolton combined to stop Marks on a right-end run, and a sack split by Jerry Tillery and Ashton Gillotte pushed Houston backward before a defensive-holding call on Bolton wiped out another stop. After the penalty reset the chains, Marks gained 2 yards on a right-tackle call, then 3 more inside, but the Chiefs held firm again as Stroud’s third-down throw to Nico Collins fell incomplete.

Texans strike first after explosive gain, failed tush-push attempt​

Houston finally broke the scoreless start after C.J. Stroud hit Nico Collins for a 46-yard gain to the Kansas City 21 — a play on which Trent McDuffie was injured. Will Marks followed with short gains before an illegal shift erased a touchdown to Dalton Schultz, and a completion to Jalen Higgins set up fourth-and-1. Houston lined up for a tush push to extend the drive, but left tackle Amarius Ersery was flagged for lining up offsides, wiping out the attempt and forcing the Texans to settle for a 35-yard field goal from Ka’imi Fairbairn to take a 3–0 lead.

Kansas City opened its next series with Mahomes scrambling twice for gains of nine yards each, while Pacheco added two efficient runs to move the ball toward midfield. Hunt pushed the Chiefs across the 50 before the drive stalled: Mahomes was sacked by Togiai for a nine-yard loss, and Rice’s seven-yard catch on third-and-long wasn’t enough to recover the yardage. Wanya Morris was ruled out with an injury during the sequence, and Trent McDuffie’s return was deemed questionable.

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Second quarter​

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Chiefs open up the quarter with a Matt Araiza punt from the Houston 49, and although the Texans were flagged for running into the kicker, Kansas City declined and took the result of the 39-yard punt, which Jaxon Noel secured with a fair catch at the Houston 10 as the first quarter ended.

Texans extend their lead with Marks’ receiving score
Houston extended its lead with a methodical, penalty-aided march that leaned on C.J. Stroud’s accuracy and Nico Collins’ explosiveness. After Marks opened the series with a short run, Kansas City’s defensive holding erased a third-down stop and kept the drive alive. Stroud then found Schultz to reach the 37 before Chubb and Marks combined to push the ball toward midfield. The breakthrough came when Stroud hit Collins on a deep crossing route for 53 yards to the Kansas City 7. A false start briefly backed Houston up, but the Texans stayed aggressive; Stroud hit Collins again and then turned to Marks, who caught a swing pass on third-and-9 and slipped inside the pylon for a 9-yard touchdown. Fairbairn’s extra point extended Houston’s advantage to 10–0.

Houston couldn’t take advantage of the short field created by Pitre’s interception. Marks gained 4 yards on first down, but C.J. Stroud followed with two incompletions, bringing up fourth-and-6. Townsend then angled a 39-yard punt that Xavier Hutchinson downed at the Kansas City 3, pinning the Chiefs deep.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...live-updates-kickoff-coming-soon-at-arrowhead

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs’ Andy Reid gives update on Wanya Morris and Trent McDuffie

The Kansas City Chiefs saw the already-fading playoff hopes go completely on life support with Sunday’s 20-10 loss to the Houston Texans. The loss was costly from that reason and from an injury standpoint.

On the first play from scrimmage, tackle Wanya Morris suffered a gruesome-looking knee injury. Morris was already forced into action after starting left tackle Josh Simmons was placed on injured reserve this week, and right side starter Jawaan Taylor was ruled out for the game. The third-year pro was shown leaving the field in the back of a cart and was quickly ruled out.

On Kansas City’s second defensive series, star cornerback Trent McDuffie was slow to get up while defending Texans wideout Nico Collins. The NBC broadcast did show footage of trainers examining McDuffie’s knee for stability. Although he was seen running on the sideline and using a stationary bike, McDuffie was ruled out with a knee injury after halftime.

Head coach Andy Reid briefly addressed the injuries after the game while revealing that McDuffie suffered a hyperextension.

“We had a couple of injuries,” he remarked. “Wanya Morris hurt his leg. It’s [his] lower leg. We’ll just have to see in the next day or so how he is. Then, Trent McDuffie hyperextended his knee. So, we’ll have to see how it works out for him.”

Undrafted rookie Esa Pole then saw his first NFL action at left tackle — lined up against one of the NFL’s best pass rushes. While the Chiefs suffered their fourth loss in five games, Pole held his own and was far from a key reason for the defeat.

Reid was impressed with the rookie.

“He’s one that probably didn’t practice much in there,” the coach recalled. “With limited time, he stepped up and was asked to play a crucial position at a crucial time. I thought he did a respectable job. It wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough.”

Patrick Mahomes was getting treatment on his knee during Chiefs-Texans game https://t.co/R3hgePVeLs

— The Kansas City Star (@KCStar) December 8, 2025

The Chiefs’ most important player also seemed to have an injury concern. Although he played every offensive snap, the broadcast also showed quarterback Patrick Mahomes using a heating pad on his knee while on the sideline in the second half. Although he practiced fully and had no injury status for the game, Mahomes was on all three injury reports this week with a knee issue.

Mahomes spoke after the game, but neither he nor Reid made any mention of the knee treatment.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...es-updates-on-wanya-morris-and-trent-mcduffie

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

5 winners and 5 losers from the Chiefs’ Week 14 loss to the Texans

We’re all losers after that game. A “Murphy’s law” season continues for your Kansas City Chiefs with a 20-10 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 14, and it’s the same stuff going wrong as always.

My submission in this week’s prediction post said it all (other than the correct outcome):

Sure… officiating has been terrible, but the defense couldn’t get off the field on third down, either. Still, what seems to really derail these games is when Kansas City’s playmakers can’t quite bring in a pass — or a big play is wiped out by a penalty. For the Chiefs to save their season, they’ll need tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Rashee Rice to make plays. While I expect Mahomes to deliver under pressure, I worry that this is a season where he won’t get enough help to make a run.

Injuries and stale offense have piled on to the recurring mix of penalties and drops we’ve come to loathe. At least the Chiefs’ defense came to play, until they were put in a bad spot one too many times. To no surprise, there weren’t many members of the offense in the “Winners” column this week.

Winners​

Defensive lineman Chris Jones: This was a tremendous effort from Jones. He was relentless, disruptive and explosive off the line of scrimmage. Jones finished with 4 quarterback hits (including a sack), a batted pass, and a tackle-for-loss. He heard the criticism from last week and responded like a man possessed.

Defensive end George Karlaftis: With Jones playing well, Karlaftis was also better — and that’s no coincidence. This defense works when each player has a great pass-rushing effort, and doesn’t when either one of them is quiet. Furious George finished with five total tackles (one for loss), a sack and another quarterback hit.

Linebacker Nick Bolton: His limitations are still there, but Bolton continues to execute his job for this defense. Against the Texans, he had 12 tackles (two for loss) and one quarterback hit. He was everywhere, as usual, and they almost had one of their best defensive efforts of the season as a result.

Cornerback Nohl Williams: The defensive back rotation continues to be insane. Rookie cornerback Nohl Williams has been fantastic, but was only on the field this week due to the injury to star cornerback Trent McDuffie. Williams had two passes defended and put up a good fight in coverage. Can we please see him on the field for every defensive snap moving forward?

Left tackle Esa Pole: The undrafted rookie made his NFL debut after left tackle Wanya Morris was injured early on and earned praise: “He wasn’t perfect, but he was good enough,” said head coach Andy Reid in post-game.

Losers​

Head Coach Andy Reid: I’m still not on the bandwagon to fire Reid, but I do think that Big Red has allowed this offense to get stale. The unit has the same problems it has had for seasons: too many penalties, too many drops, not enough depth and an ineffective running game; there are just not enough answers.

That’s on the coach. No amount of positive thoughts, “tonsil tickling”, or expressed good vibes can override the fact that this season will likely be a failure. The canned “we have to be better” statements have worn thin. It’s hard to see what is going to change at this point, but fans should prepare for major changes this offseason.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes: The two-time MVP is not to blame for the loss; in fact, he continues to be an elite quarterback this season despite everything around him.

There seemed to be a consensus among those watching “Sunday Night Football” that Mahomes did what he could, but his team let him down. I’m not going to argue that point — but then again, Mahomes set a new career high for consecutive incompletions (10) and tied his career high with three interceptions.

He’s a leader with transcendent talent who is largely responsible for this franchise’s success over the last seven years. He also hasn’t been able to finish close games this season. Both can be true. Mahomes can’t do it all himself, but it’s fair to expect him to elevate the team around him when conditions aren’t perfect. That didn’t happen enough against Houston or in 2025.

Wide receiver Rashee Rice: When you’re the team’s number one wide receiver, expectations are high. Prior to Week 14, Rice has put up number one-type stats, but against the Texans, his eight targets resulted in four catches for 34 yards. Even more disturbing was the trend of drops in key situations that began against the Dallas Cowboys. This week, Rice had some incredibly frustrating almost catches, including one on third down and two on fourth down in the second half.

Tight end Travis Kelce: While we’re talking about drops, we’ve got to talk about Kelce. With 3:44 left in the game, down seven points and backed up inside their own ten-yard line, it was go time for Kelce and Mahomes. The result? Practically a season-ending sequence of bobbling the ball, eventually leading to an interception. Houston took over with a short field and scored the go-ahead touchdown. It was the worst full game I can remember in Kelce’s storied career: five targets, one catch, eight yards in a backbreaking loss.

Kicker Harrison Butker: In the second quarter, he doinked an important field goal that could have changed the trajectory of the game. Butker is now 24th in the NFL in field goal percentage and 35th in extra-point percentage. He’s missed more kicks (8) than any other kicker who still employed. There is no margin for error in 2025, and the NFL’s highest-paid kicker has been coloring outside the lines all season. Butker’s contract has enough dead money to keep him for at least another season or two…

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Please note: the labels “winners” and “losers” are not judgments of talent or character. They simply reflect single game performance. No disrespect is intended.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...81/winners-losers-from-week-14-loss-to-texans

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Kansas City Chiefs open as favorites over Chargers in Week 15 odds

On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs will play the Los Angeles Chargers on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in a Week 15 matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. Arrowhead Time.

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Kansas City has opened as a 4.5-point favorite in the game.

In Week 14, the Chiefs opened as 4.5-point favorites against the Houston Texans, but lost that game by a score of 20-10. The Chargers are coming off a 22-19 overtime victory over the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles.

This season, the Chiefs and Chargers are two teams on opposite ends of the spectrum. Six of the Chargers’ nine wins have come in one-score games, while six of the Chiefs’ seven losses have come in one-score games. The Chargers will enter the game as the 5th seed in the AFC playoff race, while the Chiefs are on the outside looking in as the 10th seed.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...s-chargers-week-14-odds-kansas-city-favorites