‘The Chiefs’ Collapse Was Much More Startling’: ESPN Simulation Points to Bad News for Kansas City, Philadelphia

Analysts have pointed out that the Chiefs’ struggles stem from ongoing issues with their offensive line and a lack of depth at key positions. The departure of veteran players like Joe Thuney has left gaps that may hinder quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ performance. Furthermore, Mahomes had a lackluster season last year, raising concerns about whether he can return to his MVP-caliber form.

Meanwhile, the Eagles also faced a disappointing end to their season, finishing with a record that fell short of expectations. Despite starting strong, they could not maintain their momentum, ultimately finishing behind the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East. This unexpected drop has left fans questioning whether Philadelphia can reclaim its status as a dominant force in the conference.

EN Simulation Predicts Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles Missing the Playoffs

As it stands, there’s a chance both Kansas City and Philadelphia miss the playoffs next season. This is detailed more in a simulation done by Seth Walder for ESPN.

Eleven months after the Chiefs and Eagles squared off in Super Bowl LIX, both teams cleaned out their lockers following Week 18. Neither managed to make it back to the playoffs, easily the shocker of the 2025 campaign in this simulation.

The Eagles were actually done before the final week. Thought to be infallible heading into the season, the Eagles were 5-4 after Week 10 — a game behind the Cowboys but still seemingly in control of their postseason destiny. But that turned into a 6-8 record, leaving Philadelphia in pure panic mode. In the end, the Eagles couldn’t make up the gap, falling short in the NFC East and wild-card battle.

The Chiefs’ collapse was much more startling. Kansas City controlled its destiny in the AFC West after beating the Broncos on Christmas Day to improve to 9-7. It needed to only to beat the Raiders to secure its 11th straight playoff spot. But Patrick Mahomes‘ clutch gene was nowhere to be found as the Chiefs fell 28-19, allowing the Broncos — who won their Week 18 game — to win the division on a tiebreaker. No wild-card bid for the Chiefs either.

The two defending conference champions weren’t the only surprising teams to miss the playoffs in 2025. The Commanders, 49ers and Packers all missed the postseason, too.

The simulations have sparked discussions about the future of both franchises, as fans and analysts alike speculate on the potential for rebuilding. The Chiefs and Eagles will need to address their weaknesses quickly if they hope to avoid the pitfalls predicted by the simulations.

The ESPN simulation paints a grim picture for the Chiefs and Eagles as they prepare for the upcoming season. With both teams facing significant challenges, it remains to be seen if they can overcome their struggles and return to playoff contention.