In a stunning turn of events for NFL fans, 2025 marks the first season since 2008 that neither Tom Brady nor Patrick Mahomes has claimed a division title. Back in 2008, Brady’s Patriots went 11-5 but missed the playoffs due to his season-ending injury in Week 1, allowing the Dolphins to snatch the AFC East. Fast-forward to today, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ nine-year reign over the AFC West has officially ended. A painful 20-10 home loss to the Houston Texans on December 7 sealed the deal, dropping the Chiefs to 6-7 and eliminating them from division contention.

The Chiefs’ downfall has been brewing all season. Despite entering as defending Super Bowl champions, Kansas City has struggled with inconsistency on offense, injuries to key linemen, and uncharacteristic mistakes. Patrick Mahomes, usually the magician who pulls out wins, has faced constant pressure behind a patchwork offensive line. In the Texans game, he completed just 14 of 33 passes for 160 yards, threw three interceptions, and managed zero touchdowns. The run game was stifled, and dropped passes in crucial moments doomed any comeback hopes.

What truly shocked fans and sent social media buzzing was Mahomes’ raw reaction right on the field after the final whistle. As he walked off Arrowhead Stadium, the star quarterback turned to teammates and cameras caught him muttering three heartbreaking words: “That’s on me.” The admission of full responsibility was unfiltered and emotional, a rare vulnerable moment from a player known for his unflappable confidence. It highlighted his frustration after a season where he’s shouldered much of the blame for the team’s woes, including earlier games against the Broncos and Bills where he openly critiqued his own decision-making.

This historic parallel with Brady adds extra drama. Brady dominated the AFC East for 11 straight years from 2009-2019 with the Patriots, setting the benchmark that Mahomes and the Chiefs had been chasing with their own impressive streak starting in 2016. The 2008 miss was an anomaly due to injury; similarly, Mahomes’ healthy Chiefs are now in danger of missing the playoffs entirely for the first time in his starting era—their postseason odds sit at a slim 11-12% per analytics models.

The broader context paints a picture of a dynasty in flux. Kansas City’s offense ranks near the bottom in yards and points in close games this year, a far cry from their explosive past. Injuries have decimated the line, forcing backups into starting roles, while receivers have battled drops. Yet, glimpses of brilliance remain—Mahomes still leads comeback attempts, and the defense has kept most games competitive.

For Mahomes, this season tests his legacy. Comparisons to Brady, who rarely missed playoffs even in down years, are inevitable. But at 30, Mahomes has time to rebound. The Chiefs face a must-win stretch against AFC foes, needing victories and help from others to sneak in as a wild card. If they falter, it could be the first AFC Championship without Mahomes (or Brady calling games) since 2010.

Fans are left wondering: Is this a temporary dip or the end of an era? Mahomes’ on-field confession shows he’s as determined as ever to fix it. As he put it post-game, the team has talent and heart—they just need to execute in big moments. NFL history is full of champions who bounced back stronger. With Mahomes leading, don’t count the Chiefs out just yet.