• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 13, 2025

Mahomes Injury Highlights NFL’s Brutal Stretch for Four Contenders

The AFC postseason landscape could see a big reshaping, as many of the conference’s top teams are playing an unusually compressed stretch of games. 

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

One of the toughest stretches for any NFL team in history is now unfolding for four top franchises. It’s already claiming some of the league’s biggest stars—and perhaps leaving some collateral damage for several of the league’s rights holders. 

The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs, Steelers, Ravens, and Texans are each playing three games in 11 days among their Week 15 games this past Sunday, upcoming Week 16 games on Saturday, and then a Christmas Day doubleheader on Netflix. The heavily compressed run of games—all involving top teams—has been known since the schedule release in May, and the selection of these teams in featured broadcast slots owes heavily to their status as regular Super Bowl contenders. 

The league even went so far as to have these four teams grouped together for both the Weeks 16 and 17 games to enable the unusual scheduling of NFL games on a Wednesday for the Netflix doubleheader, as each will play the Christmas matchups on three days of rest. 

Now that the games are happening, though, the grumbling and injury fallout has begun. Even before Sunday’s contests, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes complained, “It’s not a good feeling. You never want to play this amount of games in this short of time. It’s not great for your body.” The fears of Mahomes were then confirmed in Kansas City’s 21–7 win over the Browns, as the two-time league MVP sustained an ankle injury and is now considered “week-to-week” in his availability. 

That means he could miss the Chiefs’ upcoming home game against the Texans, and perhaps even the holiday showcase against the Steelers, an absence that would be a big blow for NBC and Netflix, respectively. The Chiefs’ official injury report for Week 16 has not been released yet. 

A similar situation is unfolding in Pittsburgh with Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt, who also sustained an ankle injury Sunday in a 27–13 loss to the Eagles. Like Mahomes, X-rays came back negative, but the status for the five-time NFL All-Pro is uncertain. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Monday that Watt is “probably good for the playoffs, at least.” The Steelers’ upcoming game at Baltimore will be shown on Fox. 

All these matchups will have significant seeding implications in the AFC playoffs, as the Chiefs, Steelers, and Texans have already clinched postseason spots, and the Ravens are a near-lock to join them. The situation could prove to be a boon for the Bills, currently the AFC’s No. 2 team and playing a conventional schedule with two Sunday afternoon home games over the next two weeks.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

College Football Coach Firings Nearing $100M in Contract Buyouts

Two other coaches besides James Franklin were fired Sunday.

Mark Sanchez Breaks Silence Following Arrest, Hospitalization

Fallout from the Fox analyst’s violent incident continues.

Penn State Fires James Franklin, Will Pay Nearly $50M Buyout

The Nittany Lions lost again Saturday, falling to 3-3 this season.
Patrick Kraft
exclusive

Penn State, Adidas Deny Wrongdoing Around $300M Apparel Deal

The school and the brand publicly defended their 10-year deal Saturday.

Featured Today

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Sep 29, 2025; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) poses during media day at Intuit Dome
opinion

Clippers’ Aspiration Fiasco Recalls Another Doomed NBA Sponsorship

The Kawhi controversy has shades of the still-recent FTX scandal.
Athlos
October 10, 2025

Track Start-Up Athlos Makes ‘Millions’ but No Profit Yet

Alexis Ohanian called being profitable by the 2028 Olympics a “great goal.”
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates a made shot as Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) looks on during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.
October 10, 2025

Aces Win WNBA Title, Starting Offseason of Uncertainty

The Aces won their third trophy in four years.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Cheryl Reeve
October 10, 2025

WNBA Officiating Task Force Still Taking Shape After Outcry

How refs are trained and instructed was a major issue this year.
Aug 3, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; NBA commissioner Adam Silver talks to International Basketball Federation board member Mark Tatum in the fourth quarter between the United States and Puerto Rico during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
October 9, 2025

NBA Aims for Drama-Free Return to China After 6-Year Hiatus

The league looks to rebuild its presence in the populous country.
Bad Bunny performs on stage for his “Most Wanted Tour” at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, May 11, 2024.
October 9, 2025

Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA to Run Alternate Super Bowl Halftime Show

Group announces “The All-American Halftime Show” on Feb. 8.
Mar 15, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) reacts after scoring a goal during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center.
October 8, 2025

How Connor McDavid’s Extension Set Off a Wave of Big-Money Deals

Several notable contracts are completed in the wake of the superstar’s deal.