The Kansas City Chiefs have nothing to play for in the middle of December. If fans heard that before the season, they would have expected the Chiefs to have likely locked up a playoff spot and probably the division. Instead, they will be sitting on their couches during the playoffs for the first time since 2014, and Patrick Mahomes has a torn ACL.
The Chiefs are playing for pride against the lowly Titans and are being shut out in the second quarter. The offense looks poor, and Kareem Hunt is off to a quiet start.
Kareem Hunt’s Slow Start
The Chiefs are trailing the Titans in the second quarter. The Tennessee offense hasn’t even scored yet. The defense stopped Hunt in his own end zone for a safety. That was Hunt’s only carry of the first half, totaling -2 yards.
Hunt has been the primary ball carrier for the Chiefs throughout the 2025 season. Isaiah Pacheco’s return has taken reps away from Hunt, but now Hunt only has one carry and doesn’t have a positive gain 20 minutes into the game.
Hunt is the 22nd-ranked running back in PFSN’s RB Impact score with a grade of 77.3. He has been a reliable option for the Chiefs offense. They aren’t the most dynamic team on the ground with Hunt, but he’s a tough runner between the tackles. The Chiefs will be in the market for a dynamic threat out of the backfield, but Hunt is a serviceable option.
They will need to get Hunt and Pacheco going to create issues for the Tennessee defense with their third-string quarterback, Chris Oladokun, in the game. Gardner Minshew’s injury has adjusted their game plan and getting the ball moving on the ground will ease the blow. Hunt needs to show up for the rest of the game if the Chiefs want to avoid an upset loss to the Titans.
This game means nothing for Kansas City, though. A loss doesn’t do any more harm than a win would do good. The Chiefs are already looking to next season. This season wasn’t up to the standard that they have set for themselves over the last decade. The Chiefs’ attention will be turned to retooling the roster with the appropriate pieces and getting Mahomes back to his best.
With the success of the Chiefs, it’s hard to imagine they won’t overcome the obstacle and be among the top teams in the NFL once again.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.
