The Kansas City Chiefs have emerged as the masters of close games in the NFL this season, securing their 10th victory by seven points or fewer, a feat matched only by the 1978 Houston Oilers. Led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs have showcased their ability to win tight contests, including three walk-off field goals by different kickers.
This season has seen a record number of close games, with 114 matchups decided by seven points or fewer through 14 weeks, the highest in NFL history. Despite their narrow margins of victory, the Chiefs have clinched their ninth consecutive AFC West title, further solidifying their dominance in the division.
With a 12-1 record after 13 games, the Chiefs have outscored opponents by a modest 56 points, joining a select group of teams with similar success rates. Since Mahomes took over as quarterback in 2018, Kansas City has excelled in close games, boasting a remarkable 51-19 record in regular season and playoff matchups decided by fewer than seven points.
Josh Allen Makes History in Buffalo's High-Scoring Loss
Buffalo Bills' quarterback Josh Allen continues to make waves in the NFL, achieving a rare milestone by recording three touchdown passes and three touchdown runs in a single regular-season game. Despite his stellar performance, the Bills fell short in a high-scoring 44-42 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
The game marked only the second instance in NFL history where both teams combined for at least five touchdown passes, five touchdown runs, and no turnovers. Buffalo's defeat, despite scoring 42 points and committing no turnovers, was a rarity in NFL history, with teams previously holding a 315-1 record in such scenarios.
New York Jets' Playoff Drought Continues
The New York Jets' playoff drought extended to a 14th consecutive season after a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins. Despite a healthy season from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Jets failed to secure a postseason berth, maintaining the longest active playoff drought in major professional sports leagues.
Since their last playoff appearance in the 2010 season, the Jets have cycled through multiple head coaches and starting quarterbacks without returning to the postseason. With 144 losses in this span, the Jets rank among the teams with the longest playoff droughts in NFL history.
San Francisco Dominates Chicago in Interim Coach's Debut
The San Francisco 49ers delivered a commanding performance against the Chicago Bears, amassing 319 yards of offense in the first half, while holding the Bears to a mere 4 yards, the lowest by any team this season. The 49ers' dominant display resulted in a 38-13 victory, marking a challenging debut for interim coach Thomas Brown of the Bears.
Despite the loss, interim coaches historically have had mixed results in their debut games, with the Niners' victory serving as a testament to their strong performance against the struggling Bears.
