Patrick Mahomes already has more mouths to feed than most quarterbacks, but the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t slowing down offensively.
Mahomes Gets More Targets as Chiefs Push for Top Seed
Ahead of the second half of the season, Kansas City added another weapon to its offensive arsenal, signing rookie wide receiver Jimmy Holiday to the practice squad on Wednesday, November 12.
Holiday, a former Tennessee Volunteer, Western Kentucky Hilltopper, and Louisiana Tech Bulldog, began his professional career with the Chiefs earlier this year after going undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft.
He initially signed with Kansas City on May 6, competing for a roster spot during training camp and the preseason. Though he didn’t make the final 53-man roster, he landed on the Chiefs’ practice squad before being released on November 4. Now, he’s back for another shot.
The Chiefs’ offense has been firing on all cylinders since Rashee Rice returned from suspension in Week 7. With one of the league’s most potent passing attacks, Kansas City remains a Super Bowl LX favorite, according to most sportsbooks.
Mahomes and His Arsenal
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks on next to tight end Travis Kelce (87) before a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 26-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Through ten weeks, Mahomes has once again been the engine of Andy Reid’s offense. The two-time MVP has completed 204 of 316 passes for 2,349 yards, tossing 17 touchdowns against five interceptions, good for a 64.6% completion rate and 7.4 yards per attempt.
His supporting cast is deep and diverse. Travis Kelce, the veteran tight end and the heartbeat of the offense, leads the team with 41 receptions for 540 yards and three touchdowns.
Marquise Brown has quickly emerged as Mahomes’ top deep threat, hauling in 34 passes for 389 yards and four touchdowns, while Tyquan Thornton has added explosive speed on the perimeter with 14 catches for 311 yards and three scores.
Rookie Xavier Worthy has provided flashes of brilliance with 24 receptions for 256 yards and a touchdown, and Rashee Rice, back from suspension, has made his presence felt with 20 grabs for 215 yards and three touchdowns.
In the backfield, the Chiefs have leaned on a strong one-two punch. Isiah Pacheco continues to bring toughness and energy, rushing 78 times for 329 yards (4.2 yards per carry) and a touchdown. Veteran Kareem Hunt, back for a second stint with Kansas City, has added 294 yards and five scores on 73 carries.
It’s a crowded offensive room, one Mahomes seems happy to manage.
“That’s always our first goal,” Mahomes said. “Coach Reid puts it up every year, win the division. We know it’s a challenge because every team in the AFC West scouts us all year long. We’ve been really good at that these last seven, eight, nine years.
“We have a lot of division games left. If we handle business and play to our standard, we can find a way to win this division. Everything’s still out in front of us.”
Chasing a 10th Straight AFC West Title
Kansas City has claimed nine consecutive AFC West crowns, the second-longest streak in NFL history behind the New England Patriots’ 11 straight (2009–2019).
A 10th straight title remains within reach, but the Chiefs’ upcoming Week 11 showdown with the 8–2 Denver Broncos looms large. If Kansas City hopes to reel in Sean Payton’s division-leading squad, Sunday’s game is a must-win.
A loss would put the Chiefs’ decade-long dominance in jeopardy, a stunning prospect with seven games still to play.
Stakes Are Sky-High in Denver
There’s plenty on the line Sunday: the division, playoff positioning, bragging rights, and Mahomes’ 13-1 career record against Denver.
Despite sitting in a good playoff position, Kansas City currently holds 25% odds of missing the postseason and just a 4% chance of earning the AFC’s No. 1 seed and first-round bye.
However, if the Chiefs sweep their remaining AFC West matchups, two against Denver, plus one each versus the Chargers and Raiders, their odds of winning the division jump to 75%.
It’s not too late for Mahomes and the Chiefs to make up lost ground and add yet another chapter to their AFC West dynasty. With an ever-expanding cast of playmakers, Kansas City’s offense may just have enough firepower to reclaim the top seed in the AFC.