Is This Truly the End of the Chiefs’ Dynasty?

Thanksgiving is a special time, and NFL fans are treated to some spectacular football but for fans of the Kansas City Chiefs, Thanksgiving 2025 might well be remembered for the end of their dynasty. It’s fair to say this season has been hugely inconsistent but are we really witnessing the end of the Chiefs stranglehold on the AFC West?

Cowboys Loss

The most recent game for the Chiefs at the time of writing was the Thanksgiving defeat at Dallas Cowboys. It was a huge game for the Chiefs and while defeat does not signal an end to their season, their progress has certainly been halted. The game summarized the Chiefs’ season and they were leading 14-7 at the end of the first quarter only to be 17-14 down at half-time. Into the third quarter and the Chiefs failed to score again before registering 14 points in the second quarter but conceding 11, meaning a 28-31 defeat.

The loss at the Cowboys means the Chiefs have a 6-6 record this season. The result leaves them outside the Wildcard places and third in the AFC West behind Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers. It would take a brave person to bet on the Chiefs reaching the playoffs and their fourth successive Super Bowl but the bet365 promotions are tempting. The Chiefs are currently available at -110 (1.91) to reach the playoffs.

Inconsistency

During the game against the Cowboys, the Chiefs’ offense was non-existent for two quarters of the game. They woke up in the fourth quarter, but it was the third time in four games the Chiefs failed to score a point in two quarters of the game. The overall stats may not look bad but the Chiefs have taken advantage of some poor teams, such as the Washington Commanders, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Giants. Building a season on comfortably beating poor teams is not going to work and the Chiefs need to find some consistency and fast with 5 games of the regular season remaining.

Can the Chiefs Recover?

If the Chiefs’ season ends in the regular season, does it mean the end of their NFL dominance? Assessing the AFC West, the Chiefs are aiming for a 10th straight title but the Broncos are likely to end that streak this season. So, in terms of the AFC West, yes, the Chiefs dynasty will come to an end. Over the last three seasons, the Chiefs have played in the Super Bowl and won twice but they were not always convincing, with scrappy wins, rather than dominating in the style of a special team. They were themselves dominated by Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX and it took until late in the third quarter for the Chiefs to score. That does not diminish what this team has achieved in recent years but does highlight how their style of play was unsustainable.

The Chiefs need to deliver a couple of steady victories. That may not be in the make-up of this team but controlling the ball rather than making risky plays could be what is required right now. If the Chiefs fail to make the playoffs this season, it would be hugely disappointing. Would it mean the end for this team? No, the Chiefs could bounce back next season and even now, it would be premature to call an end to their current campaign.