With their decade-long streak of playoff appearances in jeopardy, the Kansas City Chiefs will try to ignite their long-shot postseason chances when they play host to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
The Chiefs (6-7) are on the outside of the playoff field, two games behind the Houston Texans, who hold the third and final AFC wild-card spot. The Chargers (9-4) are playoff eligible as a wild-card qualifier.
The last time Kansas City was not a playoff participant was 2014, when Alex Smith was the quarterback. Patrick Mahomes has led each of the past seven playoff runs and not only has helped win three Super Bowls, but he has also never missed an AFC Championship Game as a starting QB.
Another loss Sunday, which would be a season-long third consecutive defeat, would only eliminate the Chiefs from playoff contention if each of the other AFC wild-card contenders win their games.
“I have learned over the years that anything is possible,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said this week while looking back at Sunday’s 20-10 loss to the Texans. “I communicated that to the guys. They were down in the dumps after (Sunday’s) game. … At the same time, there is a way you have to pick yourself up and get going again. Hope is always a good motivator there.”
While Kansas City’s defense was much better over the second half Sunday, dropped passes held Mahomes to a paltry 160 yards through the air while completing just 14 of his 33 throws.
It was Mahomes’ fewest completions in a game since October 2019 against the Denver Broncos when he departed in the first half with a knee injury.
“I know we’re not winning games, but that mindset that these guys have in this locker room — even in the games we’re not winning — you can never question the fight of this team,” said Mahomes, who was a full practice participant Wednesday after experiencing knee pain late in Sunday’s loss.
The Chargers will not be able to clinch a playoff spot this week, although dealing a potential final blow to their division rivals would feel almost as sweet.
Los Angeles faced something like a playoff test Monday night when the Chargers battled the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles and secured a hard-fought 22-19 win thanks to four interceptions from the defense and five field goals by Cameron Dicker.
The Chargers not only forced Jalen Hurts into an interception and a fumble on the same play in the second quarter, but they also ended the game with an interception at the 1-yard line in OT by Tony Jefferson.
Quarterback Justin Herbert had just 139 yards passing, yet his play, despite a broken left (non-throwing) hand that required surgery earlier in the week, was an inspiration. Under constant pressure, as he has been all season, Herbert also ran 10 times for 66 yards.
“It felt like we were in a movie where the quarterback’s doing these things and you get to a point where you go, ‘OK, this is getting a little unrealistic,'” Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “That’s what it felt like to me. He refuses to lose. He’s as tough as they get. He’s a superhero quarterback.”
Herbert was limited in practice Wednesday but is expected to play. Not practicing were wide receiver Derius Davis (ankle), linebacker Troy Dye (hip), defensive back Elijah Molden (hamstring) and offensive lineman Trey Pipkins III (ankle).
Chiefs offensive linemen Wanya Morris (knee) and Jawaan Taylor (triceps/knee) did not practice Wednesday.
