Already, the Kansas City Chiefs were in a must-win situation heading into Week 14. Dropping to 6-6 on the season after losing to the Dallas Cowboys, there is a sense of urgency if Kansas City is going to be a part of this year's playoff field. Running the table is almost a necessity, and that is especially the case after the Houston Texans picked up a win on Sunday.
Houston is now 7-5 on the season and ahead of KC (6-6) in the wildcard race. The Chiefs need the win this week not only to pull even, but to hold a tiebreaker that is likely to come into play.
Losing to Houston would close to eliminate the Chiefs, with the franchise already trailing the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars in the wildcard picture, with both teams holding the tiebreaker over K.C. Add in the Los Angeles Chargers, who are 1-0 on the season against Kansas City, and it is clear why the game against the Texans has found a new sense of urgency.
Chiefs Facing a Must-Win Situation After Texans Improve to 7-6
One of the biggest concerns in the upcoming Chiefs-Texans matchup is going to be how well quarterback Patrick Mahomes can hold up against a relentless pass rush. This is especially the case with three starting offensive linemen (Josh Simmons, Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor) dealing with injuries.
Furthering this point is the fact that Mahomes has already been sacked 27 times this season, which is tied for the seventh-most in the league. Even though their pass rush isn't special, the Cowboys were consistently in the backfield after the offensive line was decimated by injuries. Something that should wildly concern the Kansas City coaching staff going into this matchup.
The Texans own one of the best defenses in the NFL, so winning won't be easy, regardless of whether the Chiefs are attacking on the ground or through the air. It's the perfect measuring test to see if Kansas City belongs in the postseason conversation or not.
Despite this, there is no choice but to win the rest of the way if the Chiefs are going to turn the season around and find a way into the playoffs. Losing a seventh game of the season to a team already sitting ahead in the wildcard picture is a great way to make sure Kansas City is sitting on the couch come January.
It's safe to say that the Chiefs' postseason outlook has been this bad in a long time. At least, not since Mahomes arrived on the scene. It is fair to consider each game the rest of the way the equivalent of a playoff matchup, and this must show up Sunday night in Arrowhead as the Chiefs host the Texans in a do-or-die spot.