The 22-19 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 11 marks the latest in a season the Chiefs have been .500 or worse since Patrick Mahomes took over — the previous worst was 4-4 entering Week 9 in 2021.
The irony of the situation is that the Chiefs are actually playing better than they were a year ago when they came up big in huge games and started 10-1 at this point. This year there has been a lot of reversion to the mean.
Sunday’s loss dropped the Chiefs to 0-5 in one-goal games. They are one of three teams to go winless in one-goal games in 2025 (also Saints and Commanders). Kansas City went 12-0 in one-goal games in 2024 (including playoffs).
Reid said the key to a late-season turnaround is taking it one game at a time.
“I mentioned it to them after the game,” he said. “What can you do? (What) you can do is prepare to play Indianapolis. That’s what you can do. Everything else is crystal ball related. You can take care of today and tomorrow and the day after that. Let’s start there.”
The Chiefs have never lost more than six games with Mahomes under center (worst was 11-6 in 2023).
The 2025 Chiefs are scoring more points, allowing fewer points, winning turnovers and playing better offensively compared to last year’s team. The ball does not bounce at this point.
The devil is in the details.
“You have to take care of the details and that includes coaches,” Reid said. “Whether it’s quantity (or) whether it’s fundamental, you have to take care of these little things and when I tell you that I’m responsible for it, I’m responsible for it and then the players have to do the same (and) take care of the details. Why do we have penalties and then let’s fix it and not point it out to the officials (and) if you’re not pointing it out here or then, if you’re not pointing it out. the back end and you have to plant and run, why didn’t we our offensive line, you don’t step with your right foot, you control, and you have to take care of those things but they all add up.
The Chiefs are in ninth place in the AFC playoffs entering Week 12. KC has lost to all three current Wild Card teams (Bills, Chargers, Jaguars), meaning each of those three is tied with the Chiefs in the standings.