Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes lies on the ground after sustaining an injury in a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention after 10 consecutive post-season appearances

Washington (United States) (AFP) - In what could mark the end of an NFL dynasty, the Kansas City Chiefs will miss the playoffs after 10 consecutive post-season appearances following a 16-13 loss Sunday to the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Chiefs, who last failed to reach the playoffs in 2014, fell to 6-8 with the home defeat, their third loss in a row and fifth in six games.

And superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes left the game in the final minutes with a left knee injury, helped to the locker room and unable to make a final bid to rescue the Chiefs’ campaign.

Mahomes posted a comment on social media after the game about how much he was hurting, but wasn’t specific about whether he meant the playoff elimination or the injury.

“Don’t know why this had to happen. And not going to lie it’s hurts,” Mahomes posted on X. “But all we can do now is Trust in God and attack every single day over and over again.”

Together with victories by the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars the Chiefs were ensured of missing out on the playoffs after an epic run.

“The guys are down,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “They busted their butt to win the game and I wouldn’t expect anything less. So, you know, it’s not a great feeling.”

The Chiefs have played in five of the past six Super Bowls, winning the 2020, 2023 and 2024 editions of the championship spectacle while losing in 2021 to Tampa Bay and earlier this year to Philadelphia.

Mahomes, a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player whose directed the Chiefs in their dynasty years, was knocked out of the game with 1:53 remaining.

“Thank you Chiefs kingdom for always supporting me and for everyone who has reached out and sent prayers,” Mahomes posted on X, adding, “I Will be back stronger than ever” with a clock emoji.

Backup Gardner Minshew threw a final interception to seal Kansas City’s fate.

“We’ll get an MRI tomorrow or this evening, whenever they get him in there,” Reid said of Mahomes.

“I don’t know (the extent of the injury), but I mean, it doesn’t look good. We’ll just see where it goes.”

The Chiefs had already been eliminated from AFC West division title contention and were chasing a wildcard playoff spot until the latest defeat left them too far behind their rivals to make up the difference in the final weeks of the campaign.

“All in all, we came up short on both sides of the ball and special teams,” Reid said. “We had a few mistakes and that ends up costing you against a good football team. I appreciate the effort of the guys and stepping up, playing hard and aggressive.”

Reid noted the Chiefs have been battling injuries all season.

“Some positions were backup guys to backup guys, and they battled their tail off, so that’s appreciated,” Reid said. “With that, we’ve got to do better, you know, get opportunities in the red zone. For field position, you have got to take advantage of that.”