Matt Ryan's Take on the Kansas City Chiefs Playoff Chances

When it comes to evaluating NFL playoff contenders, few voices carry more weight than Matt Ryan’s. The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback—who led his team to a Super Bowl and earned NFL MVP honors in 2016—brings a unique blend of on-field experience and broadcast expertise to his analysis. This season, Ryan has closely followed the Kansas City Chiefs, a team he faced multiple times during his career, and recently shared his take on their playoff prospects. Matt Ryan's Take on the Kansas City Chiefs Playoff Chances dives into Ryan’s insights, from the Chiefs’ biggest strengths to the obstacles that could derail their run, and why he believes they remain a legitimate threat to reach the Super Bowl. For football fans, Ryan’s perspective isn’t just commentary—it’s a masterclass in understanding what it takes to win when the stakes are highest.

Matt Ryan's Take on the Kansas City Chiefs Playoff Chances begins with the foundation of Ryan’s optimism: Patrick Mahomes. As a fellow quarterback who thrived under pressure, Ryan has long admired Mahomes’ ability to elevate his game in critical moments—and he sees that trait as the Chiefs’ greatest playoff asset. “When you have a quarterback like Pat, you’re never out of a game,” Ryan said during a recent segment on ESPN. “I’ve watched him turn impossible drives into touchdowns, and that’s the kind of skill that wins playoff games. The Chiefs’ offense might have gaps, but Mahomes covers them up better than any player in the league.” Ryan pointed to Mahomes’ performance in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers as evidence: trailing by 7 points with 3 minutes left, Mahomes led a 75-yard drive that included three third-down conversions, capped by a game-winning touchdown pass. Ryan noted that Mahomes’ decision-making—knowing when to scramble, when to take what the defense gives, and when to risk a deep throw—sets him apart in the postseason, where one mistake can end a season. “Playoffs are about minimizing errors and making big plays,” Ryan said. “Mahomes does both better than anyone right now.”

A key part of Ryan’s analysis is the Chiefs’ offensive adaptability—a trait he believes will serve them well against diverse playoff defenses. Ryan, who played in an offense that emphasized pre-snap adjustments, praised Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy for building a system that doesn’t rely on one playmaker. Even with injuries to receivers like Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney, the Chiefs have found ways to keep the offense moving, using Travis Kelce in creative ways (slot alignments, motion packages) and leaning on the running game when needed. “What I love about the Chiefs’ offense is that it’s not one-dimensional,” Ryan explained. “If defenses focus on stopping Kelce, they open up lanes for Isiah Pacheco. If they load the box to stop the run, Mahomes can pick them apart with short passes to the slots. That adaptability is crucial in the playoffs, where defenses have extra time to game-plan.” Ryan also highlighted the Chiefs’ red-zone efficiency—they rank 11th in the NFL with a 65% touchdown rate—as a hidden strength. “In the playoffs, games are decided by red-zone trips,” he said. “The Chiefs know how to convert those opportunities, and that’s a big edge.”

Matt Ryan's Take on the Kansas City Chiefs Playoff Chances also addresses the elephant in the room: the Chiefs’ defensive struggles. Ryan doesn’t shy away from the unit’s inconsistencies—they rank 24th in passing yards allowed and 20th in rushing yards allowed—but he believes their issues are fixable, especially with key players returning from injury. “Defense is about chemistry, and the Chiefs have been missing that because of injuries to guys like L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie,” Ryan said. “But as those players get healthy, you’ll see a different unit. Steve Spagnuolo is a good coordinator—he knows how to adjust, and he’ll simplify the scheme to get the most out of his guys.” Ryan pointed to the Chiefs’ performance in Week 15 against the New England Patriots as a sign of progress: they held the Patriots to 17 points, forced two turnovers, and sacked Mac Jones three times. “That’s the defense we saw in their 2022 Super Bowl run,” Ryan said. For the Kansas City Chiefs, Ryan believes the defense doesn’t need to be elite—just good enough to give Mahomes and the offense a chance. “If they can force one or two turnovers a game and limit big plays, that’s all they need,” he said. “Because Mahomes will take care of the rest.”

Another layer of Ryan’s take is the Chiefs’ playoff experience—a factor he says can’t be overstated. Ryan, who played in 10 playoff games, knows that familiarity with high-pressure situations gives teams a mental edge. The Chiefs have been to four straight AFC Championships and two Super Bowls, and most of their core players—Mahomes, Kelce, Chris Jones—have been through the postseason grind. “Playoff football is different,” Ryan said. “The pace is faster, the hits are harder, and the margin for error is smaller. Teams that have been there before don’t get overwhelmed by the moment. The Chiefs know what it takes to win in January, and that’s a huge advantage over teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars or Houston Texans, who have young rosters with little playoff experience.” Ryan also noted that the Chiefs’ coaching staff—led by Reid, who has 22 playoff wins—understands how to manage a playoff run, from rest to game-planning. For the Kansas City Chiefs, this experience isn’t just about past success—it’s about knowing how to handle adversity. “When things go wrong in a playoff game, experienced teams stay calm,” Ryan said. “The Chiefs have that calmness, and it’s going to serve them well.”

Matt Ryan's Take on the Kansas City Chiefs Playoff Chances concludes with Ryan’s final prediction: the Chiefs will win the AFC West, earn a top-four seed, and make a deep run to the AFC Championship. “They’re not the most dominant team in the league right now, but they have the one thing you need to win a Super Bowl: a quarterback who can carry you,” Ryan said. “Will they face challenges? Absolutely. The Baltimore Ravens are tough, and the Buffalo Bills have a good defense. But when it matters most, Mahomes will find a way.” Ryan also emphasized that the Chiefs’ recent improvements—healthier defense, more consistent run game, and Moore’s potential return—have them peaking at the right time. “Playoffs are about peaking in January, not September,” he said. “And the Chiefs are starting to look like the team we all expected them to be.” For the Kansas City Chiefs organization and fans, Ryan’s take is a vote of confidence from someone who knows what it takes to win at the highest level. In the end, Ryan believes the Chiefs’ combination of talent, experience, and leadership will make them one of the last teams standing—and a serious threat to bring home another Super Bowl title.