The Kansas City Chiefs are struggling in the 2025 NFL season primarily due to persistent penalties, offensive inconsistencies, and defensive lapses that have led to a 6-7 record and dimmed playoff hopes.

Key Performance Issues

Penalties have plagued the team all year, with 52 flags for 438 yards in losses compared to fewer in wins, often at critical moments like pass interference calls late in games. The offense, led by Patrick Mahomes, has suffered from dropped passes (including by Travis Kelce), poor pass protection, ineffective running games, and multiple interceptions, such as three in a recent loss to the Houston Texans. Special teams problems, like kicker Harrison Butker's missed field goals, have compounded these errors in close contests.

Defensive and Roster Challenges

While the defense has been a relative strength, keeping games competitive, it has faltered with untimely lapses and failure to capitalize on near-turnovers. Injuries to offensive linemen have exacerbated pass protection woes, and draft misses have left the aging roster thin. Mahomes' completion rates and big plays have dipped, marking the team's first sub-.500 record since 2021 and ending their nine-year division title streak.