Mahomes injured; Chiefs eliminated from playoff contention with loss to Chargers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

One of the most historic runs in NFL history came to an end, on Sunday.

With the Kansas City Chiefs' 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the team dropped to 6-8 on the season and was officially eliminated from playoff contention. That elimination will keep KC out of the playoffs for the first time since 2014, which was three years before quarterback Patrick Mahomes joined the team. Since he began starting games in Kansas City, Mahomes has reached every single AFC Championship game and has boasted a 17-3 playoff record.

Head coach Andy Reid's team had a 10-point lead in the second quarter of Sunday's game, but just before halftime the Chargers began their comeback effort. Quarterback Justin Herbert found wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith for a score to get within three of KC, headed into halftime.

Out of the locker room, all it took was a pair of field goals from kicker Cameron Dicker in the third quarter to put Los Angeles up 16-13, as Kansas City was shut out in the second half.

To make matters worse, Mahomes, who had kept KC in games all season long, exited the game with less than two minutes left with an apparent knee injury. The three-time Super Bowl champion sustained his injury on a scramble to the sideline, where Chargers defensive end Da'Shawn Hand chased him down for the tackle. After Mahomes was helped off the field and into the locker room, backup quarterback Gardner Minshew came in to finish the game out for the Chiefs.

Minshew couldn't find enough magic to lead a possible game-tying or game-winning drive in the final minute, as he threw a game-ending interception with seconds to go.

As the concern postgame all turned towards Mahomes, Kansas City's dream of being the second team to ever make four-straight Super Bowls came to and end.

Up next - Kansas City will travel to Tennessee to face the Titans on Sunday, December 21. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m.