In an intense showdown that proved pivotal for both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans, Chiefs coach Andy Reid found himself at a crossroads during the fourth quarter of a must-win game. With the score tied at 10 and 10 minutes remaining, Reid made a bold decision—one that not only surprised fans but also marked a first in his 27-year coaching career. Choosing to keep his offense on the field during a critical fourth-and-1 scenario from their own 31-yard line, Reid opted against the conventional handoff to running back Kareem Hunt, who has excelled in short-yardage situations.
Instead, quarterback Patrick Mahomes was positioned in the shotgun formation, with receiver Hollywood Brown in the backfield. The execution faltered, and Mahomes’ attempt to connect with receiver Rashee Rice resulted in an incomplete pass. This decision was unprecedented for Reid, who had never chosen to go for it on fourth down with the score tied in the final quarter while on his own side of the field. The Texans eventually capitalized, scoring a touchdown shortly after to take a 17-10 lead.
“I put the guys, offensively, in a tough position with the fourth downs [calls],” Reid reflected post-game. “I was trying to stay aggressive with it. I take full responsibility for that. I thought we could get it. It’s important that you take advantage of opportunities. In hindsight, it was wrong. I messed that one up.”
Prior to this game, the Chiefs had boasted an impressive fourth-down success rate of 80.8%, leading the league with 21 successful conversions out of 26 attempts. Data from Next Gen Stats and ESPN Analytics supported Reid’s decision at the time, as the win probability for Kansas City stood at 51.7%. However, a crucial pressure from Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. forced Mahomes into a rushed throw against Houston’s zone coverage.
Mahomes acknowledged the challenge, “They did a good job of passing off the crossers. I tried to get the ball to Rashee. I think I was a little late. [Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.] made a great play breaking on the ball. We just have to execute at a higher level in those big moments. It’s something we haven’t done this year.”
Despite facing significant adversity, including injuries to three starting offensive linemen, Mahomes managed to keep the Chiefs competitive through the second half. However, he struggled to engage skill position players effectively. A notable moment came when Mahomes delivered a perfect deep throw to Tyquan Thornton, which could have resulted in a game-changing touchdown had the receiver made the catch.
“We’ve been close all season,” Mahomes said. “You’ve got to go out there and make it happen. I’ve got to make the throw a little bit earlier so [Lassiter] can’t close [on the ball]. We’ve got to make those plays.”
Ultimately, Mahomes concluded the night with just 160 passing yards and a 42.4% completion rate, the lowest of his nine-year NFL career. The team’s 10 points represented their fewest at home under Mahomes’ leadership, whether in regular season or playoffs. In the critical final minutes of the game, the Chiefs saw key drops from Hunt, Rice, and tight end Travis Kelce, whose two consecutive drops led to Mahomes’ third interception—effectively quashing any hope for a comeback.
The defeat sent the Chiefs to a disappointing 6-7 record, bringing an end to their remarkable streak of nine consecutive AFC West Division titles, the second-longest in the league’s history. As their playoff prospects dwindled to a mere 12%, the Chiefs faced an uphill battle in their remaining games, all against AFC opponents.
“Listen, it’s never over, so you keep battling,” Reid emphasized. “I’ve been doing this a long time. I’ve seen some things, so you keep going.”
Mahomes, sharing the sentiment, remarked, “We can control how we finish the season. God willing, we’re going to find a way to get into the playoffs. We still got an opportunity, man, even though it’s slim. For us, the door is still open.”
In the locker room post-game, tensions were palpable. While Rice and Brown exited before media access, a visibly distraught Kelce remained behind, contemplating the gravity of the loss. “Every season I’ve had with him these last few years, I try to cherish because you never know [if this will be his last],” Mahomes reflected on Kelce’s enduring presence. As the season heads into its final stretch, the Chiefs are left hoping for a turn of fortune to salvage their playoff ambitions.
