So fans are left asking: Is this a coaching issue, a player problem, or a team running low on emotion and focus?<\/p>\n
The Emotional Toll of Sustained Success<\/h2>\n
Imagine being a student and taking a test every single week. No easy homework days, no mental breaks, just constant high-stakes pressure. And while you\u2019re taking those tests, everyone you know is watching and waiting to see how you do. No matter who you are, that experience would eventually get to you.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s what the Chiefs have lived through playing so many down-to-the-wire, emotionally draining games while the rest of the league gets breathers.<\/p>\n
One-score games take a major toll on teams, physically and emotionally. Kansas City has made a habit of winning them, and that consistency comes with a cost. Over the Andy Reid-<\/a>Patrick\u00a0<\/a>Mahomes\u00a0<\/a>era<\/span>, the Chiefs have won 47 one-score games, including a record 11 last season. That constant pressure wears on players over time.<\/p>\n The Baltimore Ravens<\/a>\u00a0have been dominant in their own right, recording 42 blowout wins (14+ points) over the same span. Kansas City, by comparison, has just 30, with only five in the last three years. Lately, the Chiefs haven\u2019t had many easy Sundays.<\/p>\n And the playoffs only add to the strain. Since 2018, the Chiefs have played 21 playoff games, the equivalent of an extra season and a half, while going 18\u20134. Sustaining high-level emotion for that long is difficult, especially without an influx of hungry, motivated new players.<\/p>\n Successful dynasties often mix veteran leadership with newcomers desperate to make playoff memories of their own. The New England Patriots <\/a>did this constantly, bringing in veterans who needed one ring, one chance, one opportunity, which injected urgency into established locker rooms.<\/p>\n For Kansas City, adding a player like Breece Hall<\/a> or Alvin Kamara<\/a> could have provided that spark. Both are respected talents without deep postseason experience, and that hunger can be contagious. Last year\u2019s addition of DeAndre Hopkins<\/a> demonstrated the impact that bringing new energy can have. Even if he didn\u2019t play as a true No. 1, he elevated the room. Patrick Mahomes<\/a> said it best:<\/p>\n \u201cWith having DeAndre out there, I think it takes the pressure off [Travis Kelce<\/a>].\u201d<\/p>\n Motivation matters, and this roster may be running lower on it than usual. Fortunately, the Chiefs have personnel and resources to address the mental strain. Dr. Shaun Tyrance<\/a>, the team\u2019s Vice President of Player Services and Assessment, oversees the mental health and well-being of players, coaches, and staff. Mental health support, resilience coaching, and mindfulness programs can help reduce burnout and improve focus. While not always publicly discussed, these measures are critical. The players are still human and need professional guidance to manage the constant pressure on and off the field.<\/p>\n Andy Reid is one of the greatest offensive minds in NFL history. But even great coaches have blind spots. Before Mahomes, Reid\u2019s teams in both Philadelphia<\/a> and Kansas City had postseason stumbles, including blowing a 28-point lead to the Colts in 2014 and a 21\u20133 halftime lead to the Titans<\/a> in 2018. His clock management has been questioned for years, especially his tendency to orchestrate long, slow drives when trailing, limiting comeback opportunities.<\/p>\n There have also been stretches of over-aggressive play calling and a baffling reluctance to run the ball, even with elite backs like Kareem Hunt<\/a>. Mahomes has masked many of these issues, but some patterns persist and may explain the Chiefs\u2019 recent inconsistency.<\/p>\n The loss to Denver<\/a> underscored these problems. The Chiefs failed to control the clock or establish the line of scrimmage. Deep shots stretched the field, but the overall plan played into Denver\u2019s strengths. Sean Payton<\/a> even noted at halftime that Kansas City had been a \u201cfirst-half team,<\/em>\u201d implying he expected the door to stay open. And he was right: even with the lead, the Chiefs didn\u2019t put the game away.<\/p>\n A fiery, demanding coaching voice could help restore accountability. During the peak of the dynasty, Eric Bieniemy<\/a> provided that intensity. Someone like Brian Daboll<\/a>, a tough, detail-oriented presence, could play a similar role, allowing Reid to focus on big picture strategy. Even with Matt Nagy<\/a> as the Offensive Coordinator, this staff may lack the hard-edged coach who keeps players locked in when things get shaky. Bringing in new voices can never hurt. Many of the current staff members have been part of the organization for years, which can make it harder to generate fresh ideas or challenge existing habits.<\/p>\n Understanding the importance of the running game is crucial. Running the ball keeps defenses honest and gives Mahomes clear, easy reads. Too often, the Chiefs rely almost exclusively on Mahomes to carry the offense, expecting him to \u201cput on the Superman cape\u201d and save the day. Even the greatest quarterbacks need support. Historically, teams like the Patriots leaned on the running game to wear down defenses and control the clock.<\/p>\n Hunt has been efficient this season, with a 54.5% success rate, showing he can still be effective. Even if Isiah Pacheco<\/a> isn\u2019t at his peak, the mere threat of a strong running game forces defenses to respect it. If the Chiefs feel the ground game is a lost cause, quick passes can serve as the adjustment, keeping the offense moving and the clock running.<\/p>\n This coaching staff is smart and has done many things right, but no team is above learning from constructive criticism. Addressing these gaps could be the key to sustaining Kansas City\u2019s edge in the postseason.<\/p>\n The clich\u00e9 that special teams is a third of the game exists for a reason. Under Dave Toub<\/a>, the Chiefs\u2019 special teams have usually been a strength. This season, they\u2019ve been anything but.<\/p>\n Costly penalties have erased big returns and ruined field position. Harrison Butker<\/a>, normally among the NFL\u2019s most reliable kickers, has been less consistent this season. Coverage breakdowns have also been glaring.<\/p>\n In the loss to Denver, Marvin Mims Jr<\/a>. averaged 33.7 yards per punt return, consistently flipping field position. The Broncos even blocked a crucial extra point that helped fuel their comeback.<\/p>\n Toub has emphasized smarter play, better angles, and cleaner technique in practice. Both he and Reid have acknowledged the problems and say they\u2019re committed to fixing them. The team remains confident that Butker can regain form, but the unit\u2019s week-to-week inconsistency remains a quiet but serious concern.<\/p>\n Brett Veach<\/a> has poured enormous resources into the defensive line. Yet outside of Chris Jones and George Karlaftis, production has been uneven. Injuries have forced the team to bring back familiar faces like Derrick Nnadi<\/a> and Mike Pennel<\/a>, underscoring the lack of reliable depth. In the past year, Kareem Hunt and safety Mike Edwards<\/a> also returned to the team. There\u2019s nothing wrong with bringing back players who know the system, but their availability raises questions. For example, Mecole Hardman<\/a> has been cut three different times in the NFL, most recently by the Bills<\/a>, and made a costly blunder against the Buccaneers<\/a> this past week.<\/p>\n Given these depth challenges, Kansas City could look to reinforce both the trenches and the backfield with several realistic options, while also bringing fresh faces into the locker room. Kansas City could reinforce the trenches and backfield with several realistic options. At running back, veterans such as Kenneth Walker<\/a>, Breece Hall<\/a>, or Javonte Williams<\/a> could offer reliability and explosiveness. Along the offensive line, players like Laken Tomlinson<\/a>, Jedrick Wills Jr.<\/a>, or Braden Smith<\/a> could be replacements\/depth for the group.<\/p>\n Defensively, names like Larry Ogunjobi<\/a>, Sebastian Joseph<\/a>, and D.J. Wonnum <\/a>stand out as potential additions who could help immediately.<\/p>\n Veach doesn\u2019t need recklessness, but he does need to be aggressive. Smart risks built this roster. Smart risks may be necessary to refresh it.<\/p>\nGame Plans and Gaps: The Chiefs\u2019 Coaching Challenges<\/h2>\n
![\"Chiefs](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/09\/USATSI_26905592-1024x683.jpg\")
Slow Drips, Big Problems: Special Teams Issues Plaguing Kansas City<\/h2>\n
Roster Decisions Under the Microscope: Can Veach Refresh the Team?<\/h2>\n
Can Kansas City Recapture Its Edge?<\/h2>\n