After Crushing Loss to Texans That Ended Playoff Hopes, Andy Reid Publicly Takes Full Blame for the Riskiest Call in His 27-Year Career

Kansas City, Missouri – 12/08/2025

The Kansas City Chiefs walked into the matchup against the Houston Texans knowing a loss would almost certainly end their season. Instead of leaving Arrowhead with hope, they walked out in devastation. The 10–20 defeat didn’t just extinguish nearly all postseason chances; it forced head coach Andy Reid to face one bitter question: can a single decision destroy an entire year?

The turning point came midway through the fourth quarter with the score tied 10–10. Facing fourth-and-1 at their own 31-yard line, Reid made a call he had never made in 27 years of coaching in that situation: he went for it. Patrick Mahomes took the shotgun snap, immediate pressure collapsed the pocket, and the pass intended for Rashee Rice fell incomplete. Minutes later, the Texans punched in a touchdown to make it 17–10, and Arrowhead fell silent.

After the game, Reid didn’t dodge a single question. In the press conference, he faced his decision head-on:“ I put the players in a tough spot,” Reid said. “I pushed my guys into a situation they didn’t need to be in. I wanted to keep the aggressive mindset, but sometimes being bold becomes a mistake. That call was mine, and the responsibility is mine. If I could go back to that moment, I’d choose differently. I have to own it: I’m the one who knocked everything off track.” Those words rang out like a leader’s self-examination as the pressure that had built all season finally broke.

On the field, Mahomes fought to the end despite being protected by three backup linemen, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome. He threw for just 160 yards, his lowest completion percentage ever, while teammates dropped five passes in critical moments, including two heartbreaking Kelce drops that turned into interceptions. Those mistakes, combined with Reid’s gamble, cost the Chiefs their last real chance to control their own fate.

The loss dropped Kansas City to 6–7 and all but mathematically eliminated them from the playoffs, ending a nine-year reign atop the AFC West. ESPN Analytics now gives them just a 12% chance to reach the postseason. In the locker room, the mood was heavy; Kelce sat motionless in front of his locker, while Mahomes admitted the team “can’t keep missing opportunities anymore.” Reid vowed the Chiefs will fight to the finish, but he also knows the road ahead is brutal, and it all started with the moment he chose to stand up and own his mistake.