A costly Sunday as the postseason nears
With just three weeks remaining in the NFL regular season and the playoffs approaching fast, Sunday’s Week 15 slate delivered a wave of injuries that could dramatically reshape the playoff picture. Several star players went down with serious issues, and the consequences are already being felt across multiple contenders.
Patrick Mahomes suffers season-ending injury
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL late in a 16–13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Mahomes was injured while leading a potential game-winning drive with under two minutes remaining. His backup, Gardner Minshew, later threw an interception that sealed the defeat and eliminated Kansas City from playoff contention.
The injury marks the first time the Chiefs will miss the postseason during Mahomes’ career. Beyond the immediate fallout, questions now loom over his recovery timeline and availability for the start of next season, depending on surgery and rehabilitation.
The situation also raises uncertainty around tight end Travis Kelce, who is in the final year of his contract. At 36, Kelce may now have to decide whether to return for another season in hopes of finishing his career alongside a healthy Mahomes.
Micah Parsons injury compounds Packers’ problems
Green Bay Packers star pass rusher Micah Parsons is feared to have torn his ACL during a 34–26 loss to the Denver Broncos. The injury occurred late in the third quarter and represents a major blow to a Packers team fighting to secure its playoff position.
Green Bay currently sits at 9–4–1, holding the final playoff spot in the NFC. The team faces a critical stretch ahead, including a divisional matchup against Chicago and difficult games against Baltimore and Minnesota. While the Packers own a key tiebreaker over Detroit, losing Parsons significantly weakens their defense at a crucial time.
Davante Adams’ hamstring injury hits Rams at the worst time
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams exited Sunday’s 41–34 win over the Detroit Lions with a hamstring injury. While not season-ending, the timing could not be worse. Adams has been central to the Rams’ offense, tallying 60 receptions, 789 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.
With a Thursday night road game against the Seattle Seahawks looming, Adams’ availability is in doubt. That matchup carries major NFC West implications, as the winner would take control of the division while the loser would slide into wild-card territory.
Playoff implications grow more dramatic
As the regular season winds down, injuries like these are proving just as decisive as wins and losses. With playoff seeding, division titles and even postseason qualification hanging in the balance, how teams respond to these absences may ultimately define the 2025 NFL postseason.
