Travis Kelce sends passionate message to Chiefs amid dwindling playoff hopes

The 5-5 Kansas City Chiefs have lost two straight games and wouldn't qualify for the playoffs if the postseason started this weekend. 

Fortunately for the Chiefs, they will have a chance to start what could become an impressive streak when they host the Indianapolis Colts (8-2) this Sunday. During the latest episode of the "New Heights" podcast, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce reminded his teammates that there's no time for them to be "pointing fingers" as they pursue a postseason spot. 

Travis Kelce wants Chiefs to embrace team-first mentality

"Whatever you go into mentally when you’re frustrated, you gotta kick that s--- aside, and you gotta think about how you’re f------ going to attack the day," Kelce passionately explained, per Ryan Morik of Fox News Digital. "And you gotta put all the selfish s---, all the things you want for yourself, aside, and it’s just gotta be about this team, the guy next to you. And you gotta have fun doing it, man." 

Kelce's emotional outburst is understandable since it's uncertain whether the 36-year-old plans to retire this winter. However, it's worth noting that Kansas City's last two losses were against the 7-4 Buffalo Bills and the first-place Denver Broncos (9-2). On Nov. 16, Denver's Wil Lutz delivered a walk-off field goal as time expired to hand the Chiefs a defeat. 

Travis Kelce asks Chiefs to look "in the mirror" ahead of Colts game

Earlier this week, quarterback Patrick Mahomes took responsibility for the Chiefs' struggles, stating he hasn't been "making the throws" in games. Kelce recognizes that the Colts and other opponents won't be feeling sorry for Kansas City anytime soon. 

"It’s frustrating because it’s gotten to the point where we’re 5-5, we’re .500 going into the back end of the schedule here. Got seven games left, and we basically gotta run the table," Kelce added during the podcast. "I haven’t been in this situation in a long, long time, man. It’s even more frustrating knowing the kind of guys we have, knowing the kind of talent we have, knowing the type of coaches we have. Everybody’s just got to kind of look at themselves in the mirror, man."

Some insiders still believe in the Chiefs. As of Friday morning, ESPN BET listed Kansas City as a 3.5-point home favorite against Indianapolis. At that same time, the ESPN Football Power Index gave the Chiefs a 53.2 percent chance to make the playoffs. Also on Friday, DraftKings Sportsbook ranked the Chiefs fourth among betting favorites with +1000 odds to win Super Bowl LX in February 2026. 

Perhaps such information will serve as bulletin-board material for the Colts ahead of their matchup against the reigning AFC champions.