The Kansas City Chiefs' playoff streak has officially come to an end.

The Chiefs lost, 16-13, to the AFC West Division rival Los Angeles Chargers, falling to 6-8, which mathematically kicked them out of postseason contention for the first time since 2014. The loss also guarantees an end to Kansas City's ongoing streaks of three consecutive Super Bowl appearances and seven consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances, winning three of the last six Super Bowls.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes appeared to experience an issue with his already injured left knee and was replaced by backup Gardner Minshew with 1:53 remaining in the fourth quarter. Minshew went 3 of 5 for 22 yards, but threw an interception with 14 seconds remaining to seal the Chargers' win.

Mahomes was tackled from behind by Chargers defensive end De'Shawn Hand and remained down on the sideline while being treated by team medical staff before eventually being helped to his feet, taken to the blue medical tent and seen being held up by two staffers while hobbling to the locker room. The three-time Super Bowl MVP threw for 189 yards and one interception on 16 of 28 passing prior to exiting the game.

Mahomes had never previously missed the playoffs during his first seven seasons as the Chiefs' starting quarterback, emerging as one of the NFL's brightest stars and the face of the league's most dominant franchise during that span. Kansas City will conclude its 2025 regular season with a road game against the Tennessee Titans next Sunday (December 21) followed by a home game against the Denver Broncos (December 25) and a road game against the Las Vegas Raiders (January 4).

Mel Taylor