Two AFC teams that appeared to be on opposite trajectories two months into the 2025 season now find themselves confronting the same problem. The Kansas City Chiefs, league juggernauts over the past decade, ended up missing the playoffs this year, for the first time since the Eisenhower administration.
The Indianapolis Colts also missed out, despite seeming like a lock about five minutes ago. Neither team can completely blame their failure on quarterback injuries, but the fact remains that both did suffer the loss of their starter. Season-ending injuries to starting quarterbacks are always disastrous, but these particular injuries and their timing make both especially difficult for the Colts and Chiefs.