The Kansas City Chiefs’ 20-10 loss to the Houston Texans this past Sunday night signaled numerous negative outcomes for the Chiefs’ season. First, for the first time since 2015, the Chiefs will not win their division, ending their streak of nine consecutive divisional titles, the second-longest in NFL history, trailing only Tom Brady and the Patriots’ 11 straight from 2009-2019.
Second, the Chiefs’ probability of making the playoffs this year has dropped to a concerning 11%, putting their active streak of 10 consecutive playoff appearances (the second-longest in history) in jeopardy. Even if the Chiefs win their remaining four games, their destiny is no longer in their own hands, which means that for the first time in his career, Patrick Mahomes might not reach the AFC Championship Game. The final stretch of the season will be telling.
The Mahomes-Brady-Manning Streak Faces Extinction
If the Playoffs started this weekend, the Chiefs would be out, sitting 10th in the AFC and two games away from the seventh and final playoff spot. Given the complicated outlook, we must begin to consider a scenario where Mahomes misses the playoffs for the first time.
This would end an incredible NFL streak dating back to 1998, where the AFC has been represented in the playoffs by at least one of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, or Patrick Mahomes. If you include Ben Roethlisberger, at least one of these four future Hall of Famers has been present in the AFC Championship Game every single season since 2003.
It’s difficult to see and decipher, but the Chiefs and Mahomes are a dynasty. However, if Mahomes, who is 30 years old, in his prime, with a good team and doesn’t make the playoffs, it would be a stain on his career. Brady and Manning dominated the AFC at that age and never missed the playoffs, except for Brady once due to his season-ending injury in Week 1 of the 2008 season.
What Happens If the Chiefs Miss the Postseason?
Times change, and every season is unique. This year, the quarterbacks currently projected to play in the AFC playoffs have a combined 22 playoff victories, led by Aaron Rodgers‘ 12 and Josh Allen‘s seven, just a few more than Mahomes’ 17 by himself.
Although the year looks increasingly lost for the Chiefs, what they need now is an Eagles victory over the Chargers this week. That outcome would slightly increase their probability because the Chargers are the Chiefs’ next opponent and are currently holding the final Wild Card spot, the only thing Kansas City can now realistically aspire to.
The major question is what will happen if they miss the playoffs. The team is nearly identical to the one that reached the Super Bowl last season. However, it is in these moments of poor performance that doubts surface, particularly directed at Travis Kelce, who could be held accountable for much of the team’s struggles in the loss to the Texans.
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