Imagine being on top of the world, yet feeling like you’re rapidly sinking. Forget that they’re 5-0 because there is a storm going on in the red zone. Just how bad is it? At the moment, they are in the company of some heavyweights such as the Pats at the bottom of the barrel. Ouch.

Patrick Mahomes, the wizard of Arrowhead, isn’t sugar-coating it. On October 16, 2024, he dropped a truth bomb that’s got Chiefs Kingdom buzzing. “We have to go in with more good vs. all plays,” Mahomes declared, as reported by Charles Goldman on X. It’s not just coach-speak; it’s a wake-up call.

Here’s the kicker: the Chiefs are 29th in red zone efficiency. Let that sink in. The team that used to waltz into the end zone is now tripping over its own feet, converting a paltry 38.89% of their chances. It’s a far cry from their 2022 form when they were lighting up scoreboards at a 69.44% clip.

Remember the Saints game? The Chiefs dominated but couldn’t seal the deal. They went 2-for-7 in the red zone, relying on Harrison Butker’s leg more than Mahomes‘ arm. It was like watching a Ferrari stuck in first gear.

Andy Reid, the mastermind behind this offensive juggernaut, knows the score. Last year, he emphasized, “You obviously want to score touchdowns.” Fast forward to today, and it’s déjà vu all over again. The Chiefs are knocking on the door, but someone changed the locks.

Is the Mahomes-Kelce magic fading?

Travis Kelce, the Robin to Mahomes’ Batman, is feeling the heat. At 35, he’s yet to find the end zone this season. It’s got folks wondering if Drew Brees was onto something when he said, “In five years from now, he’s not gonna have Travis Kelce.”

Early in the season, Kelce was MIA. His frustration boiled over against the Falcons, a moment that had Chiefs fans reaching for the panic button. Sure, he’s bounced back with 16 catches and 159 yards in two games, but where are the touchdowns?

The Chiefs’ promotion of Jody Fortson from the practice squad is raising eyebrows. Is it a sign of things to come? As ESPN reported on October 16, 2024, Mahomes still believes in his receivers: “I have extreme confidence with the guys that are on that football field.” But actions speak louder than words.

Let’s not forget, this is the duo that’s rewritten the record books. They’ve been money in the bank, especially in the red zone. But as Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post pointed out, since Jerick McKinnon left, the Chiefs’ “red-zone problems have been more profound.”

If this is indeed the last hurrah for Mahomes and Kelce, they’re not going down without a fight. A three-peat would certainly be going out in style, and they will have to find a solution in the red zone. The clock is ticking, and the NFL isn’t waiting anymore. For the people in Kansas City, this is the time to put up and shut up.