Chiefs’ Biggest Green Flag in Week 18 Loss

The Kansas City Chiefs may have lost in Week 18, but that doesn't mean there weren't some positives in their season finale. What was their biggest green flag they showcased?

Dec 25, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Chiefs lost in Week 18 to the worst team in the NFL, the Las Vegas Raiders. This was a game in which the Chiefs made plenty of mistakes, and the Raiders capitalized to snap their ten-game losing streak.

The Chiefs closed out the 2025 regular season on a six-game losing streak, and there is plenty to be frustrated about over this game. The Chiefs were up in the 4th quarter with less than two minutes left, and they still lost. What's one of their biggest positives that can be taken away from their loss?

Green Flag Moving Forward

Dec 7, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid arrives prior to the game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-Imagn Images | Amy Kontras-Imagn Images

Though the Chiefs may have lost, I thought Andy Reid used this game as a perfect opportunity to see what he had in his roster before heading into the offseason. Hollywood Brown is an incoming free agent, and his seeing the most targets out of any receiver gives him one final chance at convincing the team to let him stay.

Similarly enough, I thought his choice to play their younger players in the final week of the season was one that needed to happen. Brashard Smith had a career game in Week 17, so for them to give him the most carries out of any running back is a sign of good faith that they believe in him moving forward.

Jan 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith (24) gains yardage against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Smith ended the game with 56 rushing yards on 12 carries, with his longest rush going for 14 yards. He wasn't used much in the passing game, and he didn't have the same impact on special teams as he had the week before.

Even if his performance didn't leave a lasting impression in a meaningless loss in the final week of the season, the Chiefs needed to diagnose what they had in their seventh-round pick. They have a top ten pick in the upcoming NFL draft, and a lot of mock drafts have linked them with another running back, Jeremiyah Love.

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrates after getting a first down in the second half of a NCAA football game against Southern California at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in South Bend. | MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It's up to them to decide if Smith's reps as their primary running back are enough to convince them to head in another direction in the draft, but even in a backup capacity, I think Smith has a bright future with the team.

In his final game as a rookie, Reid made sure to feed Smith the rock. Smith's role in their offense will only grow, and I think he's shown enough to be a reliable part of their offense next season.

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