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On question about keeping it light as a team and seeing how the cards fall: “I have a saying that says ‘make plays.’ Now, I have a saying that says ‘Have fun making plays.’ That’s our motto going down the stretch. We’re going to make plays, we know we’re going to make them, just have fun.”
– Special teams coordinator Dave Toub
NFL Week 15 Preview: Schedule, storylines, matchups to watch and betting spreads | PFF
Matchup to watch: Chargers’ pass rush vs. Chiefs T Esa Pole
The Chiefs lost tackle Wanya Morris (57.1 grade) to a knee injury on the first offensive play of the game in Week 13, and third-string tackle Esa Pole had to step in for his first career snaps. Pole played well enough, allowing three pressures and earning a 67.5 PFF pass-blocking grade against an excellent defense. But the rookie is still an unknown quantity, and that means the Chargers will likely look to test him with an array of pass rushers.
Chargers edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu (63.7 grade; 67th) leads the team with 56 pressures and 10 sacks, but Khalil Mack (76.9 grade; 24th) and Odafe Oweh (69.7 grade; 40th) can pressure off the edge as well. Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter could look to throw some stunts and blitzes to muddy the waters for Pole, and to get Mahomes uncomfortable in the pocket.
That, however, would run counter to much of the national narrative this week.
ESPN writer Ben Solak started his national column with this objective: “How to fix the Chiefs’ offense.” The Ringer’s Steven Ruiz declared in his own piece that “The Chiefs are breaking Patrick Mahomes.”
The Wall Street Journal took its turn Wednesday, headlining its season summary as “The Downfall of the Kansas City Chiefs.”
It’s often said, “To the victors go the spoils.” In this case, the victorious Chiefs of last season — who started 12-1 — also appear to be getting the benefit of the doubt over the 6-7 version that’s taken hold this year.
It’s not to say this Chiefs offense is without faults. The group also is not immune to criticism, especially given how the team hasn’t lived up to preseason expectations.
Still, through 13 games, the 2025 offense has at least one thing going its way, regardless of recent storylines:
It’s been a lot better than the 2024 version.
A statistical comparison (via TruMedia) shows it’s difficult to find an area where this year’s team isn’t better than last season’s. That includes the pass and run games, the percentage of scoring drives and the average distance per drive.
Chiefs LB Drue Tranquill on the defense’s issues in third and long | Chiefs Wire
Kansas City held Houston to one first down on its opening five possessions of the second half, helping to turn the game around for the offense. The unit gave up eight first downs on 18 third-down scenarios, further plaguing them late in games.
“Yeah, we’ve had success. The way I chalk it up is we’ve got to be able to get off the field on third down in some of the scenarios, and we’ve got to force some turnovers. I think both of those areas we can be better at as a defense and getting the ball back to Patrick (Mahomes),” said Tranquill. “I think early in the year we were really good in the turnover margin, and down this middle to last stretch we haven’t been as good in the turnover margin. That’s an offense, defense, and special teams statistic. So, we certainly have to home in on that in these last four games and hopefully into the playoffs as well.”
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Ravens, DT Travis Jones reach extension before grievance hearing | ESPN
The extension for Jones is worth $40.5 million and keeps him under contract through the 2028 season, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The deal with Jones got completed before Thursday’s hearing where the NFL Players Association had filed a grievance over Jones’ contract status. Jones, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, was not scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent because of failing to report to training camp by the mandatory date which stopped him from accruing a full season, a source said. If Jones’ grievance had occurred and failed, he would have been a restricted free agent in 2026.
“The sides found a solution that was suitable despite the challenging circumstances,” a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Watt will not participate in Thursday’s practice, the Steelers’ first of Week 15, and his status for their Monday night game against the Miami Dolphins is in question.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will provide updates on Watt “at the appropriate time,” the team said. Tomlin is not scheduled to speak with reporters on Thursday.
Watt, a ninth-year pro, has played in all 13 of Pittsburgh’s games this season, totaling 53 tackles, seven sacks and an interception. Last Sunday, Watt logged six tackles and a QB hit and played 68 of 77 defensive snaps in the Steelers’ 27-22 win over Baltimore.
The four-time first-team All-Pro has recently dealt with a toe injury but has not missed any significant time this season.
Falcons complete comeback as Bucs drop from first in NFC South | ESPN
Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris challenged his team Monday to fight. There had been a significant lack of that in recent weeks, with the Falcons facing a short week against an NFC South rival.
On Thursday night in prime time, they showed that fight. The Falcons came back from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 29-28 at Raymond James Stadium. The win was capped by Falcons kicker Zane Gonzalez, who hit a 43-yard field goal as time expired.
The Falcons were led by monster nights from quarterback Kirk Cousins, running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr.
Cousins finished 30-of-44 for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns, Robinson had 19 carries for 93 yards and another 82 receiving yards on eight catches, and Pitts had a night to remember, exploding for 11 catches for 166 yards and 3 touchdowns.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
The Chiefs’ 3 biggest questions about Week 15’s game with the Chargers
1. What is the Chiefs’ spirit in this game?
Last Sunday, the body language from the Chiefs — the players, coaching staff, and even the fans — looked defeated. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce both lying on the ground in frustration was all you needed to see.
Going into the matchup with the Chargers, The Athletic gives the Chiefs a 12% chance to make the playoffs. It was around 16% before Los Angeles’ victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Now, the Chiefs are three games behind the Chargers, Buffalo Bills, and Jacksonville Jaguars. With only four losses each and the tiebreaker, it will be nearly impossible to catch the Bills or Jaguars. It would be difficult to catch the Houston Texans as well, who are two games up with the tiebreaker. Kansas City’s only realistic chance of making the playoffs is winning out and hoping the Chargers collapse to finish the regular season.
That should be enough to get the Chiefs up for this game, but Week 14 felt different; it felt like the Chiefs’ last great effort. Defensive tackle Chris Jones and the defense as a whole registered an incredible performance. Considering all the injuries, the offense gave a great effort until the fourth quarter — but the disastrous finish to that game looms over this week.
Can Kansas City get off the mat and summon one more great performance? Can they somehow get some positive momentum going into the last four games? Or was this past Sunday’s effort everything they had? Playing hard does not guarantee a win, but it’s a requirement for them to have a chance.
