If this NFL season didn’t feel unpredictable enough, the idea that the Kansas City Chiefs could actually miss the postseason puts it over the top.
Following their Thanksgiving loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Patrick Mahomes all but acknowledged that the Chiefs needed to win out to have a real shot at the playoffs. At 6-6, that task now borders on impossible—and even a perfect finish might not be enough, considering they trail five teams in the AFC wild-card picture and have tiebreaker disadvantages against several of them.
A postseason without Mahomes? Hard to even imagine. Since he became the full-time starter in 2018, Kansas City has reached every AFC Championship Game and captured three Super Bowls. Missing the playoffs would be unprecedented in the Mahomes era.
Complicating matters further, Kansas City’s offensive line has been gutted by injuries. Right guard Trey Smith missed the Cowboys game, and tackles Josh Simmons (likely headed to injured reserve) and Jawaan Taylor both went down. Mahomes has pulled off incredible feats throughout his career, but dragging this banged-up roster into the postseason would rank near the top. Right now, it just doesn’t look realistic.
Kansas City drops to No. 16 in this week’s Power Rankings—stunning, considering they’ve spent the past eight years hovering in or near the top five.
They’re not the only preseason darling faltering. The Detroit Lions, widely projected as a potential Super Bowl contender, sit at 7-5 after being handled by the Packers and fall to No. 15.
Who would’ve predicted a Chiefs-Lions Super Bowl back in August… only for both teams to be outside the top 14 in December?
Meanwhile, the Eagles are getting gashed on the ground, the Rams just lost to Carolina, and the Jaguars suddenly lead the AFC South. The season keeps throwing curveballs, but none bigger than the potential of a postseason without Kansas City.
Biggest Climbers:
Bengals (+6), Colts (+8)
Week 14 NFL Power Rankings
- Patriots (11-2) – Ten straight wins heading into their bye. Next up after the break: Buffalo.
- Broncos (10-2) – It wasn’t pretty in Washington, but good teams gut out wins.
- Rams (9-3) – An ugly road loss to Carolina highlighted by three Matthew Stafford turnovers.
- Seahawks (9-3) – Dominated a rookie QB as expected; that defense could carry them in January.
- Packers (8-3-1) – Letting Jordan Love air it out paid off—four touchdowns vs. Detroit.
- Bears (9-3) – Ran all over the Eagles in a statement road win.
- Eagles (8-4) – Far from the dominant trenches that powered their Super Bowl run.
- Jaguars (8-4) – Shock leaders of the AFC South; huge matchup with the Colts coming.
- 49ers (9-4) – Shanahan deserves Coach of the Year consideration given their injury list.
- Buccaneers (7-5) – Another tight win; Baker Mayfield battled through a shoulder issue.
- Texans (7-5) – Defense has revived their playoff hopes. A massive showdown in Kansas City awaits.
- Bills (8-4) – Power run game and improved run defense give them late-season promise.
- Cowboys (6-5-1) – Beating last year’s Super Bowl teams back-to-back is no small feat.
- Colts (8-4) – Three losses in four games have knocked them from atop the AFC South.
- Lions (7-5) – Surprisingly outside the current playoff picture; something feels off.
- Chiefs (6-6) – Hard to believe they’ve fallen this far. A miracle finish is needed.
- Ravens (6-6) – The team that lost to the Bengals won’t win a Super Bowl—something must change.
- Chargers (8-4) – Took care of a weak Raiders team; Herbert’s hand remains a concern.
- Panthers (7-6) – Forced Stafford mistakes and made timely plays to stay in the division race.
- Steelers (6-6) – Offense sputtering, defense gashed by Buffalo; tough road game at Baltimore ahead.
- Bengals (4-8) – Joe Burrow sparked them against Baltimore; they’re not dead yet.
- Dolphins (5-7) – Have quietly won four of five and continue to show fight.
- Vikings (4-8) – Quarterback issues have derailed their season.
- Cardinals (3-9) – Jonathan Gannon’s future looks murky heading into the offseason.
- Commanders (3-9) – Competitive at times, but massive drop-off from last year’s NFC title game run.
- Jets (3-9) – Three wins in five show life under Aaron Glenn, but the rebuild is long.
- Falcons (4-8) – Loss to the Jets likely ends any playoff dreams.
- Giants (2-11) – Shockingly poor defense from a unit once expected to dominate.
- Browns (3-9) – Shedeur Sanders stays the starter, but QB questions loom for 2026.
- Raiders (2-10) – Pete Carroll’s job security is fading amid a messy season.
- Saints (2-10) – Showed effort against Miami; Tyler Shough continues to flash potential.
- Titans (1-11) – The No. 1 pick is all but locked in; this team is in shambles.
