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Tony Romo sounds the alarm on Kansas City Chiefs AFC dominance: 'This is DEFCON 2'

Meby: Nick Geddes14 hours agoNickGeddesNews
Chiefs
Nov 23, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass against Indianapolis Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu (97) in the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Chiefs haven’t played like the three-time Super Bowl champions and reigning AFC champions this season. And trailing in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s Week 12 home game against the Indianapolis Colts, Tony Romo is officially concerned.

Romo, calling the game for CBS Sports, questioned if the Chiefs’ reign atop the AFC is on life support. “DEFCON 2,” Romo described the current situation in Kansas City.

“We talked about the sense of urgency coming into this game,” Romo said. “… But when we did the Buffalo game against Kansas City, we talked about there’s gonna be consequences for Kansas City if they lose this game. When that happened, all of a sudden, the playoff notice, not the division, started to come into fruition. And then they lost there, now it’s really right here, right now.

“… It’s [the urgency] at the highest. This is DEFCON 2. I’m not saying it’s one yet, next week will be one. But this is definitely DEFCON 2, which I don’t think I’ve ever said about Kansas City, especially in November.”

It’s indeed getting late for Kansas City, both against Indianapolis and in the AFC playoff picture. The Chiefs are in unfamiliar territory, sitting outside the playoffs with the calendar in mid-November. If the Chiefs lose to the Colts, their playoff chances plummet to 30%. A win and that goes up to 58%.

Currently, the Colts have a 20-17 lead over the Chiefs late in the fourth quarter. Kansas City does have the ball but are backed up against its own goal line. They desperately need some Patrick Mahomes magic to save them, a chance to get above .500 heading into a Thanksgiving Day showdown against the Dallas Cowboys.

But as Romo mentioned, the division is essentially out of reach. The Denver Broncos are 9-2, sitting atop the AFC West. The Los Angeles Chargers are next at 7-4. Time is running out on Kansas City. Will they meet the moment as they’ve done in the past?