The Chiefs are hoping to have all-rookie-left-tackle Josh Simmons back this week. He’s been absent from the team since Oct. 12 due to a family emergency. Simmons, the Chiefs’ talented 2025 No. 1 draft pick, won his place in the starting lineup through an impressive training camp. He quickly blew away any doubts with his dominant play to start the season. The team has released little information explaining his absence. There’s a great, palpable buzz as his teammates and other fans anxiously await his return, which could come this week!
Simmons’ absence has undoubtedly impacted the Chiefs. As it’s usually the case, with an offensive line as the most important unit to a team’s success, Kansas City has certainly experienced the pressure. Jaylon Moore was thrust into the role and faced many of the same issues. Similarly, Wanya Morris quickly found himself replacing Jawaan Taylor due to injury and filled in admirably as well. A drop-off in the depth of the offensive line has hurt, and together this has caused the Chiefs to struggle to sustain their early-season success.
Even with these injuries, the Chiefs have been resilient all season long. They’ve been playing at a high level, especially once Rashee Rice came back from suspension to instantly boost the offense. Trent McDuffie noted that the team has made “a lot of mental mistakes,” indicating that consistency remains a challenge for the squad as they navigate the ongoing season.
As the Chiefs look ahead to their next matchup, they’ll have to do so in one of the league’s most competitive divisions. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes acknowledged this, stating, “We’ve got a lot of good teams in our division, and they’re playing really good football. We’re down there in third place right now. We get back and get ourselves right. We gotta play better football.”
The Chiefs’ regular season encounters with the Buffalo Bills have been particularly notable, as Bills quarterback Josh Allen boasts a 5-1 record against Mahomes in these matchups. Allen’s ability to throw effectively during their games has played a significant role in the Bills’ success against Kansas City.
The Chiefs continued their supremacy from the 2023-24 season into the 2024-25 regular season and playoffs. That remarkable run was derailed in startling fashion in Week 1 of this season. Moving forward, keeping an eye on team dynamic and performance will be equally as important.
Mahomes reflected on the team’s struggles thus far, saying, “We’ve had great moments [before their bye], we’ve had bad moments. We gotta be more consistent as a team.” The coming weeks will be crucial for the Chiefs as they work towards reclaiming their standing in the league and navigating the challenges posed by injuries and absences.
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