KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It is the morning after a victory that felt as much like an escape as it did a triumph. The Kansas City Chiefs are sitting at a more comfortable spot in the playoff race following a heart-stopping overtime rally against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12. The win rocketed the team’s playoff odds from a shaky 55% to a robust 68%, giving the Kingdom a reason to breathe a collective sigh of relief. However, the atmosphere around One Arrowhead Drive isn’t one of unbridled joy today. It’s tense. It’s complicated. And quite frankly, it’s a little bit scary.

While the scoreboard says “win,” the medical tent tells a different, far more concerning story. As we pivot rapidly toward a Thanksgiving Day feast against the Dallas Cowboys, the Chiefs have received a mixed bag of news that includes a devastating injury to a cornerstone player, a surprising new roster addition, and some glaring performance issues that not even a victory can mask.

The Heavy Blow: Trey Smith Sidelined

Let’s rip the bandage off first, because this is the news that is keeping Chiefs analysts and fans awake at night. Ian Rapoport confirmed this morning that star right guard Trey Smith is dealing with a dreaded combination of a low and high ankle sprain.

For those unfamiliar with the trenches, this is a massive blow. A high ankle sprain alone is a lingering, power-sapping injury for a lineman who relies on anchoring against 300-pound defensive tackles. While we don’t have a definitive long-term timeline, Rapoport made one thing painfully clear: Trey Smith is unlikely to suit up for Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys.

The timing is nothing short of a nightmare. We saw Patrick Mahomes yesterday—he was skittish, moving frantically in the pocket, and seemingly lacking trust in the protection scheme even with Smith on the field. Now, the Chiefs must shuffle the deck on a short week. We are looking at a projected line of Josh Simmons at left tackle, a banged-up Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey anchoring the center, and now Mike Caliendo stepping in at right guard next to Jawaan Taylor.

This isn’t just about losing a good player; it’s about the matchup. The Dallas Cowboys have assembled a defensive interior that is arguably the best in the NFL. They recently traded for superstar Quinnen Williams and paired him with the underrated Osa Odighizuwa and Kenny Clark. This trio is a wrecking crew. Asking Mike Caliendo, a backup, to hold his ground against Quinnen Williams on national television is a terrifying proposition.

The burden now shifts entirely to center Creed Humphrey. The former Oklahoma Sooner has been a rock, but he will need to play the game of his life on Thursday. He will likely have to slide protection constantly to the right to help Caliendo, which inevitably leaves other gaps exposed. If Mahomes doesn’t trust his pocket—and yesterday proved that trust is already fragile—the Thanksgiving game could turn into a scramble drill for survival.

The Silver Lining: Welcome, Dameon Pierce

Amidst the doom and gloom of the injury report, General Manager Brett Veach did make a move that put a smile on many faces. Late last night, the Chiefs signed running back Dameon Pierce to the practice squad.

This is a savvy, low-risk, high-reward pickup. Fans will remember Pierce’s explosive rookie campaign with the Houston Texans in 2022, where he racked up over 900 yards and looked like the future of the franchise. While his production has dipped in recent seasons due to scheme changes and injuries in Houston, the talent is undeniable.

Let’s be realistic—Pierce isn’t coming in to be the savior. He isn’t replacing Isiah Pacheco as the RB1, and he isn’t taking Kareem Hunt’s role as the veteran grinder. But he offers something this team desperately needs: juice.

Pierce fits perfectly as a depth piece behind Brashard Smith. More importantly, he offers an immediate upgrade on special teams. The Chiefs’ return game has been mediocre at best, with Tyquan Thornton and others failing to generate excitement or field position. Pierce has a history of being an explosive returner. If he can provide a spark in the field position battle, this signing will be a home run. Furthermore, his arrival signals a potential shifting of the guard in the running back room, specifically regarding the frustrating usage of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, but more on that later.

Week 12 Rewind: The Saviors and The Ghosts

We can’t ignore the game itself. The Chiefs are 1-0 this week because of two specific men: Rashee Rice and Chris Jones.

Rashee Rice finally had his breakout moment of the season. It has been a year of inconsistency for the young receiver, but when the lights were brightest in overtime, he delivered. Rice was targeted 12 times and hauled in 8 catches for a staggering 141 yards. He became the first Chiefs player this season to eclipse the 100-yard mark in a single game.

His impact wasn’t just statistical; it was situational. That 47-yard reception to kickstart the overtime drive was a thing of beauty, followed by a clutch 19-yard snag to keep hope alive. When Mahomes was struggling to find a rhythm, Rice was the safety valve and the playmaker rolled into one.

On the other side of the ball, Chris Jones reminded the world why he is the CEO of Sack Nation. After weeks of criticism—some of it self-admitted—Jones played his best game of the year. The box score (4 pressures, 2 QB hits, 1 stop) doesn’t even do it justice. He was a force of nature, wrecking double teams and collapsing the pocket from the interior. He earned an elite 82 PFF grade and looked like the Defensive Player of the Year candidate we know he can be.

The Ugly Truth: The Pass Rush Vanishes

However, Chris Jones was essentially a one-man army, and that is a problem. The rest of the pass rush—specifically the edge rushers—were virtually non-existent.

The trio of George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, and Charles Omenihu combined for 54 pass-rushing snaps against the Colts. The result? A measly two pressures.

Let that sink in. Two pressures in 54 attempts.

The host of the Chiefs Report rightly labeled their performance as “cardio.” They were running around, but they weren’t affecting the quarterback. Against a limited passer like the Colts’ Daniel Jones (who struggles to throw deep), the Chiefs got lucky. If they put up that kind of hollow performance against Dak Prescott and the Cowboys, or any other playoff-caliber quarterback, they will get picked apart. The lack of edge pressure is becoming a defining flaw of this 2025 defense, and it’s a massive concern heading into the postseason push.

The CEH Conundrum

Finally, we have to address the elephant in the room: Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The frustration among the fanbase is palpable. Despite averaging less than two yards per carry, CEH continues to get touches that should rightfully go to the more explosive Brashard Smith.

Smith has shown he has the speed and receiving ability to be a weapon. Edwards-Helaire, unfortunately, has shown us who he is for years now. Activating him over younger, more dynamic talent feels like a stubborn refusal to admit a sunk cost. With the arrival of Dameon Pierce, the hope is that CEH’s snaps will finally disappear, allowing the offense to utilize players who can actually threaten a defense.

Looking Ahead

The win over Indianapolis was necessary, but it was costly. As we prepare to carve the turkey, the Chiefs are facing an identity crisis on the offensive line and a desperate need for help on the defensive edge.

Thursday against Dallas will be a litmus test. Can Creed Humphrey and a patchwork line protect Mahomes from an elite pass rush? Will Rashee Rice continue his ascent to stardom? And will the new guy, Dameon Pierce, get a chance to shine?

The table is set. The stakes are high. And as always in Chiefs Kingdom, it’s never boring.