What's Wright - Best Of - Nightmare: Mahomes HURT & Chiefs ELIMINATED, what's wrong with Lamar Jackson? Jaguars-Broncos MONSTER matchup

Welcome to the Best of the Week on What’s Right with Nick Wright. The Chiefs are out, and Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL, so let’s talk about where this leaves everything.

Tough news. You called it the end of a chapter. How are you processing this and what does it mean?

It hurts, personally and for the city, but this is the league. Stars get hurt and dynasties take hits. Brady, Manning, Rodgers, Lamar, Burrow — it happens, and now it’s Patrick’s turn. I’m balancing the gut punch with the reality that this seven‑year run stacks up with the best ever, and also admitting this team wasn’t a title outfit even before the injury. The offense stalled, the defense couldn’t close halves, and I came to terms with that during the Chargers game. Now the injuries and flaws will be exposed down the stretch, and it should force real accountability on everything around Mahomes.

If Brett Veach asked how to retool, where would you start?

They need pass rush beyond Chris Jones, period. Investments on the line haven’t paid off, and edge play has lagged. They also have to find a reliable ground game; Isaiah Pacheco’s story is great, but he hasn’t been the same since the leg injury. A rare mid‑first‑round pick and a softer schedule are chances to fix it. And plan for life after Travis Kelce while acknowledging he can still play at a high level if he wants to keep going. I’m not convinced he’s decided either way.

What’s your outlook on the next chapter with Patrick and Andy?

If Mahomes is healthy and Andy Reid is still steering the ship, they can snap back fast. The offensive design hasn’t been as clean since Bieniemy left, so that needs attention, but I still trust Andy. You still have the game’s most gifted quarterback, who now has something to prove, and that’s a strong place to start — even if the division and conference are getting tougher.

Zooming out: Baltimore’s in the mix, Denver and Jacksonville are rising, and Kansas City and Cincinnati are out. Is there a new AFC class?

It’s a strange season with unusual turnover, very 2008‑ish. I don’t see a permanent power shift, but the young cores are real. As for Baltimore, Lamar has to be available — it’s become a yearly issue — and his sack rate last week was concerning even on limited attempts. Pittsburgh’s wins have Baltimore squeezed, too.

If the Patriots drop another, should their fans be worried?

Yes. Losing back‑to‑back to playoff‑caliber opponents says you’re good but not great. If you can’t win those dress rehearsals, it’s hard to sell a three‑game run in January.

If the Ravens stumble, is Harbaugh in danger?

Miss the postseason and I think he’s out. I’ll skip my theory on why Lamar keeps getting sick, but something’s got to change.

My Jags have Denver. If Trevor dices that defense and wins, how confident would you be?

Very. A win in Denver keeps the one seed alive and, more importantly, buys warm‑weather games deeper into January, which fits their offense. Denver is peaking, so it would be a statement. Lose, and the Texans can run them down for the division because of that earlier meltdown. The Jags have blasted some weak teams, but they also beat real ones, and Trevor has been lights‑out since Thanksgiving. It’s a huge swing game, either way.

And Denver? They’ve simply played outstanding football all year.