Kansas Metropolis are in severe hazard of lacking the postseason…
The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs fell to a dangerous 20-10 loss in opposition to the Houston Texans on Sunday night time, a recreation outlined by a uncommon fourth-down choice from coach Andy Reid that shifted the momentum away from his group.
With the rating tied at 10 within the fourth quarter, the Chiefs stored their offense on the sphere for a fourth-and-1 on their very own 31-yard line.
Slightly than turning to Kareem Hunt, Reid opted for a shotgun play with Hollywood Brown within the backfield. Patrick Mahomes’ cross to Rashee Rice fell incomplete, giving Houston the ball in scoring vary.
Reid acknowledged the chance afterwards, saying: “I put the blokes, offensively, in a tricky place with the fourth downs [calls]. I used to be making an attempt to remain aggressive with it.
“I take full duty for that. I assumed we may get it. It’s vital that you simply benefit from alternatives. In hindsight, it was mistaken. I messed that one up.”
It was the primary time in his 27-year profession that he had gone for it on fourth down with the rating tied within the fourth quarter or time beyond regulation from inside his personal 40.
The Texans scored inside minutes to maneuver forward 17-10.
Mahomes Below Stress
Regardless of working behind three backup linemen, Mahomes stored the Chiefs aggressive, however a mixture of stress, missed alternatives and drops proved expensive.
“They did job of passing off the crossers,” Mahomes mentioned of the fourth-down incompletion. “I attempted to get the ball to Rashee. I feel I used to be a bit of late. [Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.] made an ideal play breaking on the ball. We simply should execute at a better degree in these massive moments. It’s one thing we haven’t achieved this 12 months.”
Mahomes later missed out on a possible 48-yard landing when Tyquan Thornton couldn’t safe a superbly positioned deep cross. He completed with 160 yards and a 42.4% completion fee, the bottom of his profession.
“We’ve been shut all season,” Mahomes mentioned. “You’ve bought to go on the market and make it occur. I’ve bought to make the throw a bit of bit earlier so [Lassiter] can’t shut [on the ball]. We’ve bought to make these performs.”
Kansas Metropolis suffered 5 drops, together with key errors from Hunt, Rice and Travis Kelce. Kelce’s second drop got here on the play instantly earlier than Mahomes’ third interception, ending any lifelike probability of a comeback.
“You’re simply getting late within the season, and also you’re not going to get these alternatives again,” Mahomes mentioned. “That’s group, however we had probabilities. We didn’t execute on the proper time to win it.”
Chiefs’ Playoff Hopes Fade
The defeat dropped the Chiefs to 6-7, ending their nine-year run of AFC West division titles and lowering their playoff probabilities to 12 per cent. All 4 remaining video games are in opposition to AFC opponents, leaving a slim path to the postseason.
“Hear, it’s by no means over, so you retain battling,” Reid mentioned. “I’ve been doing this a very long time. I’ve seen some issues, so you retain going.”
Travis Kelce didn’t communicate to reporters and remained seated at his locker lengthy after the sport ended. Mahomes later mirrored on their partnership.
“Each season I’ve had with him these previous few years, I attempt to cherish since you by no means know [if this will be his last],” Mahomes mentioned. “He bought himself in nice form this 12 months and he’s performed nice soccer. He’ll have the choice to do no matter he desires to do after this season, however I do know one factor: He’ll give all the pieces he has for the remainder of this season to attempt to give us an opportunity to make a playoff run.
“We all know the possibilities are getting decrease and decrease.”
