It’s not often you hear Travis Kelce, the 35-year-old anchor of the Kansas City Chiefs offense, sound this desperate. But after their 22-19 loss to the Denver Broncos on November 17, 2025, Kelce didn’t mince words. "It feels like it’s all self-inflicting," he said, voice tight with frustration. "And the answers are right there in front of us—we just gotta f-cking do it." That raw honesty, captured in the quiet locker room after another one-score defeat, wasn’t just a rant. It was a wake-up call.
The Streak Is in Jeopardy
For eight straight seasons, from 2016 through 2023, the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t just make the playoffs—they dominated them. Four Super Bowl appearances. Three titles. A dynasty built on Patrick Mahomes’s genius and Kelce’s unmatched reliability. But now, at 5-5 through 10 weeks of the 2025 season, they’re clinging to relevance. Ranked ninth in the AFC and third in the AFC West, they trail the Denver Broncos (9-2) and Los Angeles Chargers (7-4). This is their worst start since 2015. Eight consecutive playoff berths? That streak is now on life support.And it’s not just the record. It’s the way they’re losing. Five of their ten defeats this season have come by one score or fewer. One dropped pass. One missed field goal. One blown coverage. The same team that won 15 games last year is now playing like it’s afraid of its own shadow.
"Our Next Three Opponents Are on Fire"
Kelce didn’t wait for the media to ask. On November 5, during the team’s bye week, he went live on the New Heights podcast with his brother Jason. "We’re out of the playoffs if the playoffs started right now," he said, bluntly. "And the schedule doesn’t get much easier. Our next three opponents are absolutely on fire. Two of which are the Broncos we have coming up after the bye and the Colts after that." At the time, both the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts were 7-2. Now, after a 27-20 win over the Steelers, the Colts are 8-2. The Chiefs’ next game—November 23 at Arrowhead Stadium—isn’t just a matchup. It’s a do-or-die moment. Lose, and their playoff math becomes a nightmare. Win, and maybe, just maybe, they get a pulse back.
"I Need to Get My Sh***t Right"
Kelce, the franchise’s all-time leading touchdown scorer with 84 receptions (surpassing Priest Holmes), isn’t pointing fingers. He’s holding up his own hand. "I’m right here raising my hand saying, I need to get my sh***t right," he told reporters on November 19. "That should be the mentality of everybody that steps in this f***ing building." It’s a rare moment of vulnerability from a player who’s spent the last decade as the team’s emotional barometer. He’s not just talking about stats or schemes. He’s talking about culture. About urgency. About the kind of accountability that separates champions from contenders.He admitted the offensive line has been battered—multiple starters sidelined, backups stepping in. But he didn’t use it as an excuse. "We got the players that we need," he said. "Even if it’s the next-man-up mentality, we still got the guys that get the job done. We just have to keep figuring it out." That’s the thing about Kelce. He doesn’t just lead by example. He leads by honesty.
Mahomes’ Quiet Resolve
While Kelce speaks with fire, Patrick Mahomes speaks with quiet conviction. "It’s going to be tough to get back in the division race," he told People Magazine on November 19. "But the goal is to get into the playoffs and try to make a run at it. We’re kind of at that point where we’ve got to find a way to win games." Mahomes, 29, has been here before. He’s been the underdog in the playoffs. He’s had seasons where the defense looked lost and the offense stalled. But he’s never quit. And he won’t start now. The problem isn’t talent. It’s consistency. Execution. Belief.They’ve got seven games left. Seven chances to prove they’re still the team that owns the AFC. Seven games to remind everyone why they’ve been the standard for nearly a decade.
What’s at Stake
If the Chiefs miss the playoffs in 2025, it won’t just be a blip. It’ll be a seismic shift. Mahomes is entering his prime years. Kelce is 35 and still playing at an elite level—but time is running out. The window isn’t closed. But it’s narrowing fast. The next two weeks will tell us whether this team is still championship material… or just a fading echo of its former self.Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this season so different for the Chiefs compared to past years?
The Chiefs’ 5-5 record marks their worst start since 2015, a stark contrast to their 15-2 campaign in 2024. Key issues include five one-score losses, inconsistent offensive line play, and a lack of execution in critical moments. Unlike past seasons where they pulled out close games, this year’s team has struggled to close out opponents, raising questions about mental toughness and coaching adjustments.
How critical is the game against the Indianapolis Colts?
Extremely. The Colts are 8-2 and have the league’s sixth-best offense. A loss at Arrowhead Stadium on November 23 would drop the Chiefs to 5-6, making their path to the playoffs nearly impossible with only six games left. A win, however, would keep them within one game of the final AFC wild card spot and reinvigorate the locker room.
Is Travis Kelce’s performance declining?
Not statistically. Kelce has 52 receptions for 587 yards and 6 touchdowns through 10 games—on pace for his best season since 2022. His leadership and emotional presence are more vital than ever. The issue isn’t his production—it’s the team’s inability to convert his targets into wins, especially in the red zone and on third downs.
Can the Chiefs still make the playoffs?
It’s possible, but unlikely without a major turnaround. They need to win at least six of their final seven games, including wins over the Colts, Broncos, and likely the Buffalo Bills. They also need help from other AFC teams losing. Historically, teams starting 5-5 have made the playoffs only 27% of the time since 2010, and none have won the Super Bowl.
What’s the long-term impact if the Chiefs miss the playoffs?
Missing the playoffs would be a psychological blow to a franchise that’s defined itself by postseason excellence. It could accelerate roster changes, especially on defense, and raise questions about offensive coordinator coordination. For Mahomes and Kelce, it might be the first sign that their championship window is closing—making every remaining game a potential farewell tour.
Why is Kelce speaking out so openly now?
Kelce has always been a leader, but he’s also a realist. With the playoffs slipping away and the team’s culture under scrutiny, he’s using his platform to reset expectations. He’s not blaming coaches or teammates—he’s calling for personal accountability. His tone suggests he’s preparing for the possibility that this might be the last season he and Mahomes make a deep playoff run together.
