Report: Chiefs trimming offensive playbook amid struggles

The Kansas City Chiefs are trimming their offensive game plan ahead of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

The Chiefs - owners of one of the NFL's most creative and dynamic offensive playbooks - have struggled in this season's second half, going 2-4 in their last six games. The reigning Super Bowl champions have scored 20-plus points in only one of their past four appearances while turning the ball over seven times in that span.

Kansas City is expected to have fewer plays and personnel packages, which will likely result in fewer players touching the ball in Week 17, report Rapoport and Pelissero.

The Chiefs' offense has never ranked outside the top six in scoring in the Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes era. They are the 11th-best unit in points per game in 2023-24.

Dropped passes, in particular, have been a major issue: K.C.'s 39 drops are easily the most in the league. All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce recently voiced his frustration with the Chiefs' struggles, saying that every player, including himself, deserves to be blamed.

Led by football's second-ranked defense, the Chiefs currently lead the AFC West with a 9-6 record. They will clinch the division for the eighth straight year with a win over Cincinnati.