Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

NFL Week 11 panic meter: Chiefs, Lions, Chargers have glaring issues

By Jack Dougherty | Last updated Nov 17, 2025 2:29 PM ET

Multiple Super Bowl contenders went down in NFL Week 11, but which ones should be the most worried about their performances? It's time to break out the panic meter.

Kansas City Chiefs

Panic meter rating: 5/10

The Chiefs squandered a golden opportunity to get back in the AFC West race, losing to the Denver Broncos, 22-19, on Sunday. At 5-5, Kansas City is now 3.5 games back of Denver in the division and one game back of the Jacksonville Jaguars for the seventh seed in the AFC.

We've seen Patrick Mahomes go on the road in the playoffs and beat the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens to reach the Super Bowl, so fumbling the division isn't the end of the world. That said, the panic button is on standby if the Chiefs lose to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12.

Detroit Lions offense on the road

Panic meter rating: 7/10

In Detroit's 16-9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, quarterback Jared Goff went just 14-of-37 and led the offense to a 3-of-18 (16.7 percent) mark on third and fourth down. This has been a theme all season, as the Lions continue to struggle on the road against top-tier defenses.

Jared Goff completed 14 of 37 pass attempts tonight (37.8%)

The last QB to attempt >35 passes with as poor of a completion percentage was Bryce Young in Week 14 of 2023
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) November 17, 2025

In road losses to the Eagles, Chiefs and Green Bay Packers, the Lions have averaged just 13.0 points and 286.7 yards of offense. In Detroit's other seven games, the offense has averaged 36.1 points and 401.3 yards of offense.

The Lions better win the NFC North and lock in a home playoff game. If they don't, it'll be hard to feel confident about road playoff matchups against the Eagles, Packers, Los Angeles Rams or Seattle Seahawks.

Los Angeles Chargers

Panic meter rating: 6.5/10

The Chargers offensive line is becoming untenable. On Sunday, the Jaguars generated a pressure rate of 39.1 percent and made Justin Herbert uncomfortable all game. Herbert finished with just 10 completions and 81 passing yards before getting pulled for backup QB Trey Lance in the 35-6 loss, the worst loss of Jim Harbaugh's NFL career.

Left tackle Trevor Penning, whom the Chargers traded for at the deadline, gave up five pressures, one sack and committed two penalties in his debut with Los Angeles. The Chargers are out of options on the offensive line, making them a team you won't be able to trust in the playoffs.

Jack Dougherty

Jack Dougherty has been writing professionally since 2015, contributing to publications such as GoPSUSports. com, Centre Daily Times, Associated Press, and Sportscasting. com

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