The Kansas City Chiefs desperately needed a win against the Houston Texans to keep their playoff hopes afloat, but instead suffered a loss that could deal a blow to both their postseason aspirations and potentially to the career trajectory of Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs quarterback threw three interceptions in the 20-10 loss, which dropped their playoff odds to nearly 15%. Mahomes has struggled throughout the season as the Chiefs offense sputtered, leaving them with the prospect of missing the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade.
The downturn has also prompted one NFL insider to predict that Mahomes could soon lose his title as the league’s best quarterback to an AFC rival.
Patrick Mahomes Could Fall From His Mantle
Writer Gilbert Manzano of SI.com predicted that Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen could become the NFL’s top quarterback this season, with one caveat — Allen needs to win a Super Bowl.
“Allen could finally surpass Mahomes in the quarterback rankings by leading the Bills to their first Super Bowl title on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara,” Manzano wrote. “Then again, Allen likely wouldnât get full credit for guiding Buffalo to a Lombardi Trophy without avenging the four postseason losses against Kansas City. I wouldnât mind seeing the Chiefs backing into the postseason (Iâm sure the Mahomes haters really hate me now), only to see whether Allen can finally get over the red and gold wall in January.”
Manzano added that some of the league’s other top quarterbacks have struggled this season, including two-time MVP Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens.
“Take a look at the other star quarterbacks across the league. Jackson either lost his powers, or his hamstring injury is much worse than the Ravens have let on,” Manzano wrote. “And Jackson has as many playoff failures as Allen. [Joe] Burrow has actually beaten the Chiefs in the postseason and played in a Super Bowl. Heâs special when available. But thatâs the problem. He hasnât been available much in recent years, and his team is headed for a third consecutive season without a playoff appearance.”
Patrick Mahomes Keeping the Faith
Though Sunday’s loss to the Texans dropped the Chiefs to 6-7 and far outside the playoff picture, Mahomes has expressed confidence that his team has what it takes to turn their season around.
âWe know the chances are getting lower and lower,â Mahomes said after Sunday’s loss, via The Athletic. âBut I know the guys on this team are going to give everything they have, every opportunity they get.â
The Athletic noted that the Chiefs could have one clear path to the playoffs, which starts by winning all four of their remaining games. If the Chiefs can run the table, there is one game in the final week of the season that holds outsized potential to send them back to the playoffs.
“That would be the Week 18 Chargers-Broncos game,” The Athletic’s Jesse Newell wrote. “The Chiefs winning out, combined with a Broncos victory there, would put K.C. at 72 percent to make the playoffs. Win out with a Chargers victory, though, and the Chiefsâ probability drops to 7 percent.”
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