In a dramatic and painful Sunday slate of NFL games, the Los Angeles Chargers stunned the Kansas City Chiefs 16-13 in Week 15, officially eliminating Kansas City from playoff contention. The loss marked the end of the Chiefs’ postseason streak that stretched back to 2014. The defining moment in that contest came not just from the final score but from the injury to Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament late in the game and will miss the remainder of the season.
The Chargers’ win was hard-fought and pivotal in the AFC playoff picture. Los Angeles trailed for much of the first half but rallied behind quarterback Justin Herbert and key defensive stands. The victory has significantly boosted the Chargers’ playoff chances, pushing them firmly into postseason contention with just a few weeks of the regular season remaining.
For the Chiefs, what began as a tightly contested matchup quickly turned nightmarish. Mahomes, the two-time MVP and face of the franchise, suffered his injury in the closing minutes while attempting to move Kansas City into field goal range. An MRI later confirmed the torn ACL in his left knee, ending his season. Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew took over but threw a game-sealing interception in the final moments.
Mahomes addressed the injury and the team’s sudden playoff elimination in a heartfelt message to fans following the game, expressing pain but also determination to recover and return stronger. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, teammates, and even opponents acknowledged the magnitude of the loss, noting both the emotional and competitive toll on the franchise.
This Week 15 slate wasn’t defined by Kansas City and Los Angeles alone. Across the league other games had notable outcomes that are shaping both divisions and Wild Card races. The Buffalo Bills rallied from a 21-point deficit to top the New England Patriots 35-31, keeping their own playoff hopes alive and tightening the AFC East race. The Seattle Seahawks eked out an 18-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts, with kicker Jason Myers contributing six field goals to the effort. Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix led his team to a 34-26 victory over the Green Bay Packers, extending Denver’s winning streak to 11 games and locking up a playoff berth.
In the NFC, the Jacksonville Jaguars routed the New York Jets 48-20, the Baltimore Ravens shut out the Cincinnati Bengals 24-0, and the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Las Vegas Raiders 31-0. The Chicago Bears also picked up a decisive 31-3 win over the Cleveland Browns. That collection of results is helping to clarify playoff scenarios across both conferences as teams jockey for positioning.
The emotional and competitive fallout from Mahomes’ injury is likely to reverberate well into the offseason, affecting draft plans, free agency, and how the Chiefs approach the next campaign. Meanwhile, the Chargers’ surge injects fresh urgency into what has been one of the most dynamic AFC postseason races in years.
