Chiefs Have At Least One Playable Option in Fantasy Semifinals

The Kansas City Chiefs' season essentially ended in Week 15, when they were swept by the Los Angeles Chargers in the division series, 16-13. That loss marked their third straight and officially eliminated them from playoff contention. Going into the matchup, they knew they needed to run the table and hope for some lucky breaks down the stretch.

They couldn't get the job done, though, with their offense failing them for the second time in a row. The Chiefs haven't just let down their franchise or their fans; they've also disappointed their fantasy managers this season. Patrick Mahomes and Rashee Rice have put together some decent performances this year, but as a whole, Kansas City hasn't produced the way people expected it to in 2025.

Kansas City Chiefs, NFL, Los Angeles Chargers, Chris Jones — Dec 8, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) and defensive end George Karlaftis (56) get ready before the snap during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Chiefs D/ST could still be an option

The Kansas City Chiefs' offense has been lackluster throughout the 2025 NFL season. Rashee Rice helped carry his fantasy managers to the playoffs, coming back from his six-game suspension with a vengeance and vindicating the decision to draft him despite his mandated furlough. Patrick Mahomes was mostly excellent, as he's the QB2 in scoring through the first 15 weeks, but he had some uncharacteristic stinkers, including in his last outing against the Los Angeles Chargers, that may have cost his fantasy managers in the first round of the playoffs.

Outside of those two, the Chiefs haven't had any reliable options. Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, Kareem Hunt, and Isiah Pacheco have all underwhelmed. Now, with Mahomes out for the remainder of the season and Kansas City's playoff hopes in flames, there might not be a playable member left on the offense for the last two rounds of the fantasy postseason. However, the Chiefs D/ST is worth a look, according to NFL.com's Dan Parr:

He’s perplexed as to how the Chiefs could have a top 6-7 scoring defense and not be in contention for a 7 seed playoff. I would be too tbh https://t.co/xWNdAuXUu1
— KP (@TheKPAgenda) December 15, 2025

"It feels risky to count on anyone from Kansas City this week, with the Chiefs coming off a loss that crushed their playoff hopes and ended their QB’s season. Despite the horrible vibes, K.C.'s defense has played well recently, allowing just 18 real-life points per game over the last two weeks. In Week 16, the Chiefs draw the Titans, who have been playing better of late but remain fully capable of laying an egg as one of the most generous teams to fantasy defenses this season."

The Chiefs' defense gave the team a chance to claw its way back into the playoffs against the Chargers and the Houston Texans. Unfortunately, the offense couldn't do its part. The effort level from this unit will be questionable in the remainder of the season, but it certainly has the talent to be a viable fantasy defense for the last two weeks.

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