DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 16: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) scrambles to avoid pressure in the second quarter during a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on November 16, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Kansas City Chiefs are 5-5 and need to finish strong in their remaining seven games if they’re to make the playoffs. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, the Chiefs currently have a 45% chance of reaching the playoffs. However, that percentage dips to just 29% if they lose to the 8-2 Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Patrick Mahomes Takes Accountability For Chiefs Struggling Passing Offense
If the Chiefs, who have lost two straight, are going to get back on track, they’ll need quarterback Patrick Mahomes to connect on more deep shots.
“I’m just not making the throws,” Mahomes said on Wednesday. “Pretty much the biggest thing. Guys are getting open and giving me chances to make the plays down the field.”
Per Pro Football Focus, Mahomes is just 17-of-48 for 605 yards on throws 20 yards or more, with one touchdown and one interception. While Mahomes ranks No. 4 in passing yards (2,625) and No. 7 in passing touchdowns (18), the Chiefs’ offense will become all the more predictable if Mahomes isn’t able to hit long throws effectively.
“Being better there and giving guys chances, it usually works out,” Mahomes said. “You hit one deep throw and all of a sudden the offense opens up and then you’re able to hit other throws as well. I think we’ve always done a really good job of being able to take what’s there. It’s just about hitting some of those deeper throws to loosen the defense up and then give us opportunities to throw the ball everywhere throughout the offense.”
Andy Reid’s Optimistic About Chiefs Offense
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid isn’t getting too negative about the current state of Kansas City’s passing game.
“We’re not quite as negative as the outside world is here,” Reid said. “We know what we need to clean up, and we need to do it. But the guys, they get it. Some of these guys have been through some pretty good seasons, and it isn’t like this one’s lost. We just got to clean up a few of these things and the urgency level, obviously, we got to make sure we take care of that now.”
Reid’s message to the team is to focus on what they can control.
“Get yourself ready to play Indianapolis. That’s what you can do,” Reid said. “Everything else is involved with a crystal ball. You can take care of today and tomorrow and the following day. Let’s start there.”
Mahomes Is Excited For Colts At Chiefs
The Chiefs are currently third in the AFC West standings with the Denver Broncos in first place at 8-2 and the Los Angeles Chargers in second place at 7-3. The Chiefs have lost to both teams this season and have one game remaining against both. However, their next task may be as hard as any they’ve had this season in the surging Colts.
“We’re playing against a really good football team. It’s a great opportunity,” Mahomes said. “Obviously, we’re 5-5 and not where we want to be at, but we get to write the rest of this season’s story and it starts this week with the Colts at Arrowhead and I’m excited to go out there and do it.”