The Kansas City Chiefs are headed to the NFL playoffs after clinching their spot with a 12-1 record, but questions remain about their offensive firepower. While their defense has stepped up to keep them in close contests, the offense, led by Patrick Mahomes, has struggled to deliver high-scoring performances.

The Chiefs haven’t scored more than 30 points in any of their 13 games this season, raising concerns about their ability to dominate in the postseason.

Despite their impressive win-loss record, Chiefs fans are rightfully cautious. Close victories, like the back-to-back 19-17 wins in Week 13 and Week 14, have become the norm, and the offense has been far from the unstoppable juggernaut it was in past seasons.

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But with key players dealing with injuries and offensive inconsistencies, Kansas City is looking for answers as they prepare for a prime-time clash with the Cleveland Browns.

Offensive struggles

At the center of the Chiefs’ offensive issues are injuries to crucial players such as Rashee Rice, Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown, Skyy Moore, and kicker Harrison Butker.

The absence of these players has left Mahomes without some of his top weapons, forcing him to lean heavily on Travis Kelce. But even Kelce hasn’t been himself, as he’s been heavily defended and unable to produce his usual numbers.

Andy Reid has earned praise for how he’s handled the adversity, keeping the team focused and disciplined despite these setbacks. Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy has also been working closely with Mahomes to address some of the struggles. Nagy recently emphasized the importance of footwork, pocket presence, and decision-making.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re always working footwork drills in the pocket. So that in the game you feel the presence of some pressure,” Nagy explained.

“I think when you are a quarterback, there are so many elements that go into a play. If they do a good job on defense, don’t make it bad playing worse. And balancing, trying to do something.”