The Kansas City Chiefs faced a challenging matchup in Week 11 on the road against the Denver Broncos, who are leading the AFC West. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, they fell short, losing 22-19 after a last-second field goal by Broncos kicker Wil Lutz. The game-winning kick was set up by a crucial 32-yard pass from Bo Nix to Troy Franklin, highlighting the effective offensive plays that secured Denver’s victory.
With this win, the Broncos improved to 9-2, matching the New England Patriots for the best record in the NFL. Conversely, the Chiefs’ record dropped to 5-5, marking just Patrick Mahomes’ second loss in 15 starts against the Broncos. This defeat places Kansas City in a precarious position as they try to secure a playoff spot with only seven weeks left in the 2025 NFL season.
Analyzing the Chiefs’ playoff prospects, they are currently positioned ninth in the AFC, just outside the playoff picture. While they have a 54% chance of making the postseason, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, this reflects a significant decrease from the 71% playoff probability they had entering Week 11. A victory against the Broncos would have bolstered this likelihood to 80%, keeping them competitive in the divisional race.
The Chiefs’ remaining schedule presents further challenges. Out of their six upcoming games, three are against teams with winning records. Their opponents include the Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, and the Broncos again on Christmas Day. Given the difficulty of their remaining games, Kansas City’s margin for error is slim to reclaim their position in the playoffs and tackle their goal of securing their tenth consecutive AFC West title.
In the AFC West standings, the Chiefs sit in third place, trailing behind the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers. With Denver holding a three-and-a-half-game lead and the head-to-head tiebreaker after their latest match, Kansas City finds itself in a tough spot moving forward.
As the 2025 postseason approaches, the Chiefs will need to rally and capitalize on their remaining opportunities to enhance their playoff chances. The next few weeks will be critical as they aim to bounce back and stay relevant in the hunt for a postseason berth.