Three Critical Flaws Threatening The Kansas City Chiefs Season

The Kansas City Chiefs entered 2025 as the three-time defending AFC champions, having just gone to their third straight Super Bowl. However, through five weeks of this season, they find themselves in unfamiliar territory. At 2-3, the Chiefs are experiencing their first taste of adversity since 2021, and the problems plaguing this team run deeper than their record suggests.

Monday night’s 31-28 loss to Jacksonville crystallized the issues that have haunted Kansas City all season. What was once their greatest strength has become their Achilles heel, and the frustration is palpable throughout the organization.

The Penalty Problem That’s Killing Drives

The most glaring weakness has been Kansas City’s complete lack of discipline. Against the Jaguars, the Chiefs committed 13 penalties for 109 yards compared to Jacksonville’s four flags. This isn’t an outlier but rather part of a troubling pattern that has sabotaged promising drives and extended opponent possessions.

“We crush ourselves with penalties and mistakes,” Patrick Mahomes said after the loss, his frustration evident. “We have the guys and we’ve executed at certain points in games and looked really good, but we crush ourselves.”

Head coach Andy Reid acknowledged the issue needs immediate attention. “We’ve got to be more disciplined with the penalty part of it,” Reid said. “I’ve got to obviously evaluate those and go from there.”

The penalties aren’t just hurting field position. They’re killing momentum at critical moments and putting additional pressure on an offense that’s already struggling with consistency.

Mahomes’ Uncharacteristic Turnovers

The second major concern is Patrick Mahomes’ decision-making in crucial moments. The quarterback who built his reputation on clutch performances has committed costly turnovers in each of the team’s three losses.

The most damaging came Monday night when Mahomes threw a pick-six from inside the five-yard line, giving Jacksonville a 21-14 lead in the third quarter. Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd’s 99-yard return for a touchdown was the type of momentum-shifting play that championship teams typically avoid.

“It’s been one guy here or there, and in this league, it’s so close that those change games,” Mahomes said. But the pattern suggests this isn’t just about isolated mistakes. The Chiefs’ franchise quarterback is pressing, trying to do too much to compensate for other weaknesses.

Defensive Breakdowns in Critical Moments

Perhaps most concerning is how the defense has failed to close out games. The unit that once thrived in pressure situations has repeatedly let opponents off the hook.

The most egregious example came on Jacksonville’s game-winning drive. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence fell down twice in the backfield but somehow scrambled for the decisive touchdown despite several Kansas City defenders surrounding him.

“We’ve got to finish that play,” defensive tackle Chris Jones said. “It was a fluke play for him to be able to break that many tackles. I put it on us as a defense. We’ve got to finish.”

The defense’s struggles extend beyond one play. Earlier in the game, three different Chiefs defenders let an errant Trevor Lawrence pass slip through their hands on the same play. These are fundamental execution failures that championship-caliber teams simply cannot afford.

The Path Forward

Former NFL player Chris Canty recently suggested that complacency might be setting in with some Chiefs players, questioning whether certain veterans are “more name than game.” His criticism of Chris Jones’ effort during the Jacksonville game highlighted concerns about leadership and accountability.

The Chiefs face a pivotal Week 6 matchup against Detroit on Sunday Night Football. To get back on track, Kansas City must address three specific areas:

First, eliminate the self-inflicted wounds. The penalties and turnovers have been the difference in all three losses, which came by a combined 12 points. Clean up the mistakes and these become winnable games.

Second, Mahomes needs to trust his supporting cast rather than forcing plays. The quarterback’s individual brilliance has masked team weaknesses in the past, but that approach isn’t sustainable over a full season.

Finally, the defense must rediscover its killer instinct. Too many times this season, they’ve had opportunities to end drives or secure victories, only to let opponents escape.

“We’ve got to be better,” Mahomes said. “We’ve lost too many games already.” The urgency in his voice reflects the reality facing Kansas City. Their championship window remains open, but it won’t stay that way if these fundamental issues persist.