So much for that newfound momentum.
Four days after getting the best of the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12, the Kansas City Chiefs have lost three of their last four games, which isn't exactly the sort of down-the-stretch football a team wants to be playing if they're already on the outside looking in of any postseason projections.
The Chiefs have never been in this position since Patrick Mahomes took over, but the Dallas Cowboys sent the Chiefs back to a .500 record at 6-6 overall following their 31-28 victory in Week 13. The Chiefs must run the table at this point, with a few tough opponents still on the slate.
For a game that was disheartening in nearly every way, it's easier to pick out losers than winners, but we've gotta hold onto hope as much as we can these days. That said, we can't ignore the obvious. The Chiefs came out as losers in the final score and, on the whole, by our measure here as well. Here's our week of Week 13's Chiefs winners and losers.
Losers: The officials
Look, no one likes talking about the officials of any game. Only losers complain about refs, right? That's true. And the Chiefs were the losers in this one. But it's also true that the officials in this game made one egregious call after another—and it started from the jump. Pass interference calls. Holding on Josh Simmons. Players were never allowed to, well, play all evening long. With so much on the line, it's tough to see the refs making themselves such a focal point. The Chiefs did themselves in, and the Cowboys deserve a ton of credit. But the officiating was pathetic on Thursday.
It’s almost like the officiating is trying to prove the national narrative wrong that the Chiefs get all the calls….in front of probably 50 Million people
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) November 28, 2025
Loser: The entire defense
Thirty one points should be enough here. But that wouldn't get into the ridiculous ease with which Dallas converted seemingly every third-and-long situation. Dak Prescott picked the Chiefs apart when blitzing, which was all the time since K.C.'s front four was never able to get home despite the Cowboys being shorthanded in that department. The officiating didn't help, but enough said about that. The defense was just not good and even the Chiefs' best players on that side of the ball failed to make a real difference after an exciting start to the game.
Loser: Safety depth/play
Every team is dealing with major injury concerns at this point in the season, and the Chiefs were struggling at safety throughout Thursday's game. Bryan Cook left the game early with an ankle injury, and the secondary was already missing the versatility (and upward-trending playmaking) of Christian Roland-Wallace.
Given that the unit was already thin and inexperienced after watching Justin Reid walk in free agency last spring, the losses ended up putting too much pressure on the likes of veteran Mike Edwards, who was promoted from the practice squad before the game. The Chiefs have to hope Cook is healthy again after some extended rest for Week 14 because the defense desperately misses him when he's not on the field.
Winner: Travis Kelce
Travis Kelce's doubters were out in full force after last season, believing that the tight end's best years were behind him and that hanging up the cleats could be for the best. Such statements have been silenced time and again so far in 2025, as Kelce has proven that he's still among the best in the business—if not the best—with an exemplary season that features steady production, clutch catches, and (even more) franchise records. On Thursday, Kelce had an excellent touchdown grab in the back of the end zone to extend his franchise mark of 85 regular-season scores to go with 5 catches for 45 yards—giving him 719 yards on the season.
Loser: Offensive line concerns
Mike Caliendo was already a starting lineman coming into this game with Trey Smith on the shelf with ankle injuries. Then Wanya Morris and Jaylon Moore were inserted as starters as well, as Patrick Mahomes tried his best to play with three backup linemen in front of him. Going into Week 14, the Chiefs have to be wondering just how bad Josh Simmons (wrist) and Jawaan Taylor (elbow) are feeling, with Smith very likely still on the mend.
Winner: Kareem Hunt
Feels weird to give kudos to players in a losing effort, but Kareem Hunt definitely merits a positive mention for the grit displayed over the last five days. Over two games, the aging back has proven there's plenty left in the tank. In fact, it's curious that the Chiefs didn't rely on him and Isiah Pacheco more than they did with runs under center, given how effective they were in the early going. Hunt led the Chiefs with 58 yards on 14 carries and had a 22-yard catch, which comes on the heels of winning Offensive Player of the Week for the Chiefs in Week 12's win over the Indianapolis Colts.