On Sunday, Dec. 7, the Kansas City Chiefs played the traveling Houston Texans on Sunday Night Football. The game was a low-scoring first half, with the Texans leading 10-0. The Chiefs attempted to mount a comeback, tying the game 10-10 in the 3rd quarter, but the Texans eventually pulled away in the 4th quarter, winning 20-10.
Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw 3 interceptions and 160 yards, completing 14 of 33 of his passes. The Chiefs fell to 6-7 and will not be able to win the AFC West for the first time since the 2015 season. Currently, the Chiefs’ playoff hopes are on thin ice. This comes after three consecutive Super Bowl appearances and 5 appearances in the last 6 Super Bowls, winning three Super Bowls in the process.
Many NFL pundits believe this loss may be the spark that ends the Chiefs’ dynasty in the NFL. The majority of the Chiefs’ star players are getting older. Travis Kelce is 36 years old, Chris Jones and Patrick Mahomes are both 31. Additionally, the offense has dropped in quality compared to the past 3 years. The running game has not been as explosive as it was last year, and the offensive line has been subpar at best. Plus, star players have not been what they once were. Travis Kelce’s dropping passes, Patrick Mahomes is playing well overall, but not at the MVP level fans expect.
But, Chiefs fans exclaim, this is just the bump season of every dynasty that the NFL has had. For example, the 1990 Dallas Cowboys started 0-5 at the beginning of the season, which led to a 7-9 overall record. Then, the Cowboys made excellent draft picks and trades to carve an early to mid-1990s dynasty in the NFL.
Furthermore, from the early 2000s to late 2010s, New England Patriots had a stretch where they made no Super Bowl appearances and missed the playoffs one season after winning three Super Bowls in five years. The Patriots bounced back, winning three more Super Bowls and appearing in Super Bowl 49 51,52,53.
Chiefs fans argue the Chiefs dynasty does not end until the Face of the Franchise, Patrick Mahomes and Head Coach Andy Reid are no longer present with the Chiefs.