Major Streak Involving Tom Brady Ends After Chiefs Latest Loss

The New England Patriots couldn’t wrap up the AFC East division in Week 15, as they were taken down 35-31 by the Buffalo Bills. That wasn’t the most consequential loss in the NFL, though, as the Kansas City Chiefs suffered a 16-13 defeat that eliminated them from playoff contention, and in the process, it snapped a lengthy streak involving Tom Brady.

Since taking over as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback in 2018, Mahomes has led the Chiefs on a dominant run that has occasionally mirrored what Brady accomplished during his time with the Patriots. In 2025, though, Kansas City has been unable to find a way to get itself off the ground.

Things finally came crashing down in Week 15, as the Chiefs were eliminated from playoff contention with their latest loss. With Mahomes set to miss the postseason for the first time in his career, this will mark the first time in 27 years that either he, Brady, or Peyton Manning has not appeared in the playoffs.

Oddly enough, missing the playoffs may be the least of Kansas City’s concerns right now. Not only did it lose this game, but Mahomes suffered a torn ACL late in the fourth quarter that will end his season prematurely and potentially force him to miss time next year.

All season long, things had been trending in this direction for the Chiefs, and the rug has finally been pulled out from underneath them. New teams have emerged as top contenders in the AFC, which should make for a very hectic slate of playoff games.

One of those teams is the Patriots, who still have the inside track when it comes to wrapping up the AFC East division over their next three games, even after losing to the Bills. New England will look to get back in the win column in Week 16 when it squares off against the Baltimore Ravens.