NFL Teams in Must-Win Mode: Week 12 Preview

A penchant for making big plays in crucial moments vaulted the Kansas City Chiefs to a dynasty.

Whether age, the law of averages or some concoction of both is the culprit, the proverbial Chiefs Kingdom now stands in peril.

After entering the fall angling for their third Super Bowl victory in four seasons, the Chiefs suddenly find a 11th consecutive postseason appearance is no guarantee.

At 5-5 – including 0-5 in one-score games on the heels of a 17-game winning streak in such contests – KC is in must-win mode as Week 12 approaches. The Chiefs aren’t the only ones camped there, but they’re a compelling place to start.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

As the Chiefs wallow at .500 and in ninth place in the AFC, their next opponent is second in the conference at 8-2.

To reel in the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday – and every foe thereafter – the Chiefs must give those laurels on which they’ve rested one heck of a workout. Especially in crunch time.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes thinks a veteran core can channel its history to avoid being a playoff afterthought. Now more than ever, KC must put that into action.

“It just comes with the history that we’ve had and knowing that we have the guys to do it,” Mahomes said. “It’s about going out there and proving it now.”

DETROIT LIONS

Even during their recent resurgence, the Lions have been here before. Remember last season’s Week 18 showdown with Minnesota, where a victory – eventually had by the Lions – earned the top seed in the NFC while a loss meant being No. 5?

These days, Detroit is 6-4 and in eighth in the NFC while looking up at Chicago (7-3) and Green Bay (6-3-1) in the division standings.

With a three-game homestand ahead, including visits from the sub-.500 New York Giants and Dallas, there’s a chance for QB Jared Goff and Co. to get well ahead of a potentially daunting December that includes visits to the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago.

HOUSTON TEXANS

Houston (5-5) needs help to fight back into the AFC wild-card fray, let alone flag down the Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4) in pursuit of a third straight AFC South title.

While there shouldn’t be a QB controversy in Houston once C.J. Stroud (concussion) returns, backup Davis Mills has steered the Texans to two straight division victories. But the schedule stiffens considerably with Thursday’s game against Buffalo before visits to Indianapolis and Kansas City.

If there’s optimism, it lies in the Texans’ residency in “must-win mode” since an 0-3 start. Their two losses since, to playoff contenders Seattle and Denver, came by 11 combined points.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Heaven knows the AFC North-leading Steelers heard lots of chatter about not overlooking the Baltimore Ravens, even as the perennial Super Bowl contenders started 1-5.

Well, the Ravens now are 5-5 and pecking at the 6-4 Steelers’ heels – and seemingly everywhere else.

The rivals will meet twice in the final month of the regular season – Week 14 in Baltimore, Week 18 in Pittsburgh. How healthy will resurgent Steelers signal-caller Aaron Rodgers (left wrist) be then?

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Losing three of four after a hot start has left Tampa Bay (6-4) stumbling, but still in possession of the NFC South lead by a half-game over Carolina.

As with the Ravens and Steelers, the Bucs and Panthers will meet twice during the stretch run. But as Sunday’s visit to the Rams looms, Tampa Bay can’t afford much more margin for error, even with home games against struggling Arizona, New Orleans, and Atlanta ahead in Weeks 13-15.