Five biggest culprits of Chiefs' nightmare season

With so many players remaining from their championship days, it’s almost unfathomable that the three-time defending AFC champions could fall off so much so quickly. Here are the five biggest culprits of their nightmarish 2025 season. 

1. A dismal running game

The Chiefs have never had an elite rushing attack in the Mahomes era, but they have excelled on mix-and-matching running backs based on skill set and situation. They have attempted to do the same thing this season, with Kareem Hunt turning into one of the most effective short-yardage backs in the NFL, but they have failed to find any semblance of explosiveness. 

They have just one carry from a running back over 20 yards, as Isiah Pacheco has continued to be hampered by injuries and rookie Brashard Smith has failed to take over as the primary receiving back. The Chiefs ineffectiveness with early-down runs has created far too many second and third-and-long scenarios and put even more pressure on Mahomes to create magic through the air and with his legs. 

2.  An untrustworthy receiving core

When Rashee Rice returned from his six-game suspension with a two-touchdown performance against the Las Vegas Raiders, there was some talk that this would be Mahomes’ best receiving core since the Tyreek Hill days. It’s safe to say that has not come to fruition. 

Speedster Xavier Worthy has failed to take the next step in his second NFL season, deep threats Tyquan Thornton and Marquise Brown have been unable to remain consistent contributors and tight end Travis Kelce has lost nearly all of his run-after-catch ability in his age-36 season. Even Rice, who has a 17-game receiving pace of over 1,250 yards, has had a number of key drops, including a crucial one on fourth down against the Texans. The Chiefs have still been able to move the ball with ease against defenses like the Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, but great defenses like the Texans can dominate them in man coverage and force Mahomes into critical mistakes. 

3.  Late-game failures from Patrick Mahomes 

Though he may not be the main culprit, Mahomes is not without blame for the Chiefs' shocking demise. The two-time NFL MVP posted a passer rating below 80 in four of the Chiefs' seven losses this season with particularly brutal showings against the Buffalo Bills and Texans. His goal line pick-six against the Jacksonville Jaguars turned the tide in what looked like a sure victory, and his consecutive three-and-outs in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos opened the door for Bo Nix to lead a late-game drive. 

So often in the past decade, the Chiefs have relied on Mahomes to overcome other roster deficiencies, but he hasn’t been able to do it this season. 

4. Third-down defense

On paper, the Chiefs defense hasn’t been too far removed from recent years. They have dropped slightly from fourth in points allowed per game to seventh while remaining in the top ten in yards allowed. 

If there is one key difference, however, it is their ineffectiveness on third down, particularly on third-and-long. Entering Sunday’s game against the Texans, they had allowed a 30.2% conversion rate on 3rd-and-7 or longer, the fourth-highest mark in the NFL and a huge jump from their 22.2% rate from 2022-24. The Cowboys game in particular was emblematic of their issues, as Dak Prescott and company converted nine of their 16 third downs and prevented Mahomes from getting the ball last in the fourth quarter. 

5.  A brutal schedule

By virtue of always winning the AFC West, the Chiefs have had a difficult schedule nearly every season of their decade-long run, but this year’s gauntlet felt practically challenging. They lost three of their five contests against reigning division champions and fell in a pair of primetime road matchups against the resurgent Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars. 

The real kicker, however, was the improvement of the division rival Los Angeles Chargers and Broncos, each of whom beat the Chiefs away from Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs have spent years taking their conference rivals' best shots, and those teams were finally able to land the knockout punch.