As the 2025-26 NFL season continues to roll on, the Kansas City Chiefs seemingly don’t. Head coach Andy Reid’s team lost its Thanksgiving Day outing against the Dallas Cowboys, creating even more pressure for the home stretch.
Several culprits played a role in the defeat, injuries included. Kansas City entered Thursday already without right guard Trey Smith, and things only devolved from there.
Two additional pieces went down in Week 13. That presents a massive obstacle for the Chiefs — perhaps a season-altering one.
Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes Salute Chiefs’ Shorthanded Offensive Line for Week 13 Effort
Speaking to the media on Thursday evening, Reid sorted through the traffic. The prospect of being without Smith, a Pro Bowl-caliber player, was daunting enough. Once left tackle Josh Simmons and right tackle Jawaan Taylor got hurt, it became nearly impossible.
Still, the Chiefs navigated the course and nearly completed a late comeback. Following the 31-28 loss, Reid saluted the team for adjusting on the fly.
“Listen, we go to next man up, and try to make it work,” Reid said. “Our pass game was a little off. He had to move around quite a little bit. But the guys battled, they did the best they could. That’s a good defensive front. We were just off timing a little bit, but Pat still made some great plays.”
Simmons, Kansas City’s first-round pick back in April, suffered a dislocated and fractured wrist. For all intents and purposes, a stint on injured reserve seems highly likely. Taylor is nursing a tricep ailment, and Smith’s high- and low-ankle sprains are worth monitoring as well.
According to NFL Pro, quarterback Patrick Mahomes was pressured on 35% of his dropbacks. Pro Football Focus credits two backup players — tackle Jaylon Moore and guard Mike Caliendo — with 5+ pressures.
Mahomes, like Reid, is proud anyway.
“They battled, man,” Mahomes said. “That’s a hard thing to do on a short week. To come in against a good defensive line, one that can rush the passer from all five positions. They did a good job battling when their number was called. Hopefully, we can get some of these guys back and get ’em healthy over this extended week that we have. But I have confidence in those guys stepping in to play if need be.”
Kansas City Running Low on Margin for Error Down Stretch of Season
Whether that confidence can turn into real-life results remains to be seen. Per ESPN, heading into Week 13, the Chiefs ranked third in team pass block win rate while sitting 20th in run block win rate. Mahomes’ brilliance, as well as halfback Kareem Hunt helping keep the run game afloat, likely contributed to both rankings.
Things won’t get much easier for the defending AFC champions. If they want to get back to the postseason, it’ll take them winning out or going 5-1 and getting some help. Considering their four losses against in-conference opponents, that isn’t a recipe for success. The upcoming schedule leaves room for opportunity, but also the same leeway for disaster.
A bit of a break arrives by way of a long week prior to Week 14’s outing against the Houston Texans. After that, the Los Angeles Chargers await in an AFC West showdown. Then it’s the Tennessee Titans, followed by the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders. Aside from Tennessee and Las Vegas, each of the remaining clubs is firmly entrenched in the AFC playoff race.
A banged-up, tired, tested Chiefs team finds itself in perhaps its worst position of the Mahomes era. Since he took over as full-time starter back in 2018, all the organization has known is overtime of the AFC championship game.
In order to return to that, it’ll take some serious soul-searching. Having three offensive linemen hurt doesn’t help that cause one bit.
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