Honestly, if you told a Chiefs fan back in August that Kansas City would be sitting at home during the playoffs, they’d have laughed you out of the room. It felt impossible. We’re talking about a team that was hunting for a "three-peat"—something no one has ever done. But the NFL is a brutal league, and the 2025 season turned into a legitimate nightmare for Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.
So, who beat Kansas City this year? It wasn’t just one team. It was eleven.
The Kansas City Chiefs finished the 2025 season with a shocking 6-11 record. They didn't just lose; they collapsed down the stretch, ending the year on a six-game losing streak. It's the first time they've had a losing record since 2012, and the first time they’ve missed the postseason since 2014. If you're looking for the specific list of teams that took down the defending champs, grab a seat. It’s a long one.
Every Team That Beat the Chiefs in 2025
The season started on a weird note in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and it basically never got back on track. Here is the breakdown of the teams that handed Kansas City a loss this year:
- Los Angeles Chargers: They actually beat the Chiefs twice. Once in the season opener (27-21) and again in Week 15 (16-13). That Week 15 loss was the "nail in the coffin" game where Mahomes went down.
- Philadelphia Eagles: A Super Bowl LVII rematch in Week 2 ended in a 20-17 loss for KC.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: A high-scoring shootout in Week 5 that the Jags took 31-28.
- Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen did what he does in the regular season, beating KC 28-21 in Week 9.
- Denver Broncos: Another divisional rival that swept the season series. Denver beat them 22-19 in Week 11 and 20-13 on Christmas Day.
- Dallas Cowboys: The Thanksgiving Day game was a heartbreaker, a 31-28 loss for Kansas City.
- Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud and the Texans walked into Arrowhead in Week 14 and left with a 20-10 victory.
- Tennessee Titans: A lopsided 26-9 loss in Week 16.
- Las Vegas Raiders: The final blow. A 14-12 defensive struggle in Week 18 that ended the season on a low note.
It’s a bizarre list to look at. You expect the Bills or Eagles to give them trouble, but losing to the Titans by 17 points? That’s not the Kansas City team we’ve seen over the last half-decade.
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The Injury That Changed Everything
You can't talk about who beat Kansas City this year without talking about the health of Patrick Mahomes. For years, Mahomes has been the "eraser." He erases bad play-calling, erases defensive lapses, and erases mistakes by his young receivers.
Then came Week 15 against the Chargers.
Late in the fourth quarter, Mahomes took a hit that caused his left knee to buckle. The stadium went silent. It was later confirmed as a season-ending ACL tear. Without #15, the Chiefs' offense basically evaporated. They turned to Gardner Minshew, who struggled to move the chains, and eventually Chris Oladokun for the final two games. The reality is that while teams like the Broncos and Raiders get the credit for the wins on paper, the injury bug was the opponent the Chiefs couldn't stop.
Why the Offense Stagnated
Beyond the injuries, the Chiefs' offense just looked... off. All year.
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They ranked 21st in the league in scoring. That’s bottom-tier. The rushing attack, led by Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, never really got into a rhythm, averaging just 106.6 yards per game. When you can't run the ball, defenses can sit back in "shell" coverage and take away the deep ball. We saw it happen week after week. Mahomes was actually the team’s third-leading rusher with 422 yards—most of those coming from him running for his life on scrambles.
The wide receiver room also struggled. Aside from Rashee Rice, there wasn't a consistent threat that forced defensive coordinators to lose sleep. They even fired wide receivers coach Connor Embree and running backs coach Todd Pinkston once the season ended. It was a total breakdown of the system that had made them the gold standard of the NFL.
The One-Score Game Curse
In 2024, the Chiefs were the masters of winning close games. They went 12-0 in games decided by one score, including the playoffs.
In 2025? The luck ran out.
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They went 1-7 in one-score games this season. Think about that. If three or four of those games go the other way, they’re a 10-win team and we’re talking about them as a dangerous playoff wildcard. Instead, they couldn't close. Whether it was a missed field goal, a late turnover, or a defensive breakdown in the final two minutes, the "Chiefs Magic" was nowhere to be found.
What Happens Now?
The Chiefs are entering their most uncertain offseason in a decade. Mahomes is rehabbing a major knee injury. Travis Kelce isn't getting any younger. The coaching staff is already being overhauled.
If you're a fan—or just someone trying to make sense of the standings—here are the actionable takeaways from this "lost" season:
- Watch the O-Line Depth: The Chiefs' struggles started up front. Expect them to spend high draft picks on tackles to protect Mahomes' surgically repaired knee.
- Monitor the Rehab: Mahomes is expected to be back for training camp, but ACL recoveries are tricky for mobile quarterbacks. His mobility is his superpower.
- New Voices in the Building: With the firing of several position coaches, keep an eye on who Andy Reid brings in. They need a "refresh" on the offensive side of the ball to stay competitive in an AFC West that is suddenly much tougher.
The 2025 season proved that even dynasties are fragile. Kansas City didn't just lose games; they lost their identity. Now, the rest of the league knows they can be beaten—and they have the blueprint to do it.