KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Chiefs face an uphill battle to extend their 10-year playoff streak, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes remains optimistic despite the team’s dwindling odds.
At 6-7, the Chiefs must finish the season 4-0 to have any chance of keeping their postseason streak alive.
The NFL’s playoff predictor gives Kansas City just an 11-percent chance of making it heading into Sunday’s home game against the Chargers.
“You got to win the football game, whatever it takes,” Mahomes said. “I mean, we say that every week, but obviously you’re kind of in that back-against-the-wall type spot.”
The Chiefs took to practice Wednesday with the weight of their decade-long playoff streak on their shoulders.
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“They want to get to work. That’s kind of how they’re wired,” Reid said. “Everybody knows. I mean, they know where we stand right now. They know what’s taking place.”
Along with finishing unbeaten, the Chiefs need a Chargers loss to Denver and either Dallas or Houston. They also need two losses for the Colts.
[ McDuffie limited, Smith returns to practice as Chiefs prep for ChargersOpens in new window ]
“We’re in unprecedented territory. It’s a place that we haven’t been since I’ve been here,” Mahomes said. “I think you lean on the guys that have kind of battled through adversity and came out better on the other side. That’s Chris (Jones), Trav (Kelce), all these guys that have won championships. It hasn’t always been pretty, but it’ll really test us to see what type of character we are, and I think we’ve got the guys in the room to do it.”
The Chargers beat the Chiefs in their Week 1 meeting — more than three months ago. Mahomes said these are two new teams heading into Sunday.
“I think it’d be special if we get into the playoffs and we can make a run,” Mahomes said. “So why not give ourselves a chance to do that? And we have to start by winning football games.”
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