How Andy Reid Influenced Wild-Card Games

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Andy Reid cares a lot more about Hawaiian shirts than analytics. But no head coach was more aggressive on fourth downs this season.

And even though Reid missed the playoffs for the first time in 11 years, the 67-year-old’s fingerprints were all over Wild Card Weekend in that specific area.

With Houston and Pittsburgh still on the docket for Monday night (7:15 p.m. CT, ESPN), NFL teams have already combined for 26 fourth-down attempts over the first five wild-card contests.

They converted 50 percent of them, including the remarkable 27-yard pass Caleb Williams threw to Rome Odunze Saturday night in Chicago’s 31-27 comeback win over the Packers. Bears head coach Ben Johnson actually kept his offense on the field six times on fourth downs. Green Bay was 3-for-3.

hurt — Jan 11, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs under pressure from San Francisco 49ers defensive end Bryce Huff (47) during the fourth quarter in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Philadelphia was 3-for-5 on fourth downs in its 23-19 loss to San Francisco.

State of play

Aggressive head coaches in the playoffs should come as no surprise after what Reid did in the regular season.

Kansas City led the league in fourth-down percentage (75.0), converting 24 of 32 attempts. The Chiefs also finished second in fourth-and-1 percentage (83.3), fourth-and-short percentage (84.0) and fourth-and-long percentage (66.7).

kareem hun — Nov 23, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Reid also finished tied for seventh in total fourth-down attempts (32).

During Patrick Mahomes' first seven seasons as the starter, Reid attempted just 17 fourth downs in 2024, 20 in 2023, 12 in 2022, 15 in 2021, 16 in 2020, 10 in 2019 and 15 in 2018.

No. 1 in defense, too

But just as impressive as the Chiefs’ percentage on fourth down was their effort on the other side of the ball. Steve Spagnuolo’s unit also led the league in fourth-down defense (26.1 percent).

The Chiefs allowed opponents to convert on only six of 23 fourth-down snaps. Kansas City finished first in lowest percentage of fourth-and-short conversions (25.0) and tied for first in both fourth-and-1 (30.0) and fourth-and-long (0.0).

nick bolto — Oct 27, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) defends during the first half against the Washington Commanders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Unfortunately, Kansas City wasn’t nearly as consistent – on either side of the ball – on the prior down. In third-down defense, the Chiefs were an appalling 29th in the NFL, allowing conversions at a 43.6-percent clip. They ranked 26th in allowing third-and-long conversions (27.7 percent).

Offensively on third down, the Chiefs were just 22nd overall (37.4 percent) and dead last, 32nd in the league, on third-and-long (15.5 percent).

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