Three-time-reigning AFC champion Chiefs officially eliminated from playoff contention

By Grant Gordon, Digital Content Editor

One of the greatest runs in NFL lore has officially come to its end.

The Kansas City Chiefs have officially been eliminated from postseason contention following their loss Sunday to the Los Angeles Chargers, bringing to a conclusion a streak of 10 straight playoff berths — the second-longest postseason run in NFL history. Gone with the postseason streak is the Chiefs’ run of seven consecutive appearances in the AFC Championship Game — also the second-longest in league chronicle.

Wins by the Buffalo Bills (at New England), Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Jets) and Houston Texans (vs. Cardinals) on Sunday in addition to Kansas City’s loss ousted the Chiefs from playoff contention.

The Chiefs officially were eliminated when Gardner Minshew, who came on in the game’s final drive in relief of an injured Patrick Mahomes, threw an interception to seal the three-point loss with K.C. in position to potentially tie the game on a long field goal. Mahomes suffered an apparent left knee injury following the two-minute warning when he took a hard hit and his knee bent awkwardly.

Not since 2014 — when Kansas City went 9-7 in Andy Reid’s second year as the team’s head coach — have the Chiefs missed the postseason.

A week prior when the Chiefs lost to the Houston Texans, their streak of nine straight AFC West division titles — the second-longest division-winning streak in NFL history — was snapped.

It is the close of a truly special chapter in NFL chronicle, one in which the Chiefs and Mahomes became the defining team and player of the league.