Patrick Mahomes Acknowledges Playoff Challenges After Chiefs’ Loss to Cowboys

ARLINGTON, Texas — November 28, 2025 — The Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff hopes took a significant hit following their 31-28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, dropping the team to a 6-6 record. After the game, quarterback Patrick Mahomes emphasized the urgency for the Chiefs to win all remaining games to keep their postseason aspirations alive.

“You’ve got to win every game now – and hope that’s enough,” Mahomes said during his postgame press conference. “We’re going to play a lot of good football teams coming up. If we’re going to make the playoffs, we’re going to have to win them all. That’s got to be the mindset when we step into the [training facility] when we get back.”

The Chiefs face a challenging schedule ahead, starting with a matchup against the Houston Texans, who boast the NFL’s second-best defense in points allowed per game. The Texans hold a 6-5 record, making the upcoming game critical for the Wild Card race. Following that, Kansas City will play the Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, and Las Vegas Raiders. Both the Chargers (7-4) and Broncos (9-2) currently lead the Chiefs in the AFC West standings.

Mahomes acknowledged the team’s inconsistency this season, stating, “We can beat anybody, but we’ve shown that we can lose to anybody. We’ve got to be more consistent.”

Despite the loss, Mahomes delivered a strong individual performance, completing 23 of 34 passes for 261 yards, throwing four touchdowns without interceptions, and rushing for 30 yards. However, his efforts were not enough to secure the win.

The Chiefs last missed the playoffs in 2014, and with their current record, they will need to improve significantly in the remaining games to extend their season into January.

Officials and analysts note that the team’s path to the postseason is narrow, underscoring the importance of each upcoming game. The Chiefs must capitalize on these opportunities to maintain their status as contenders in the AFC.