SportsBeat KC

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Should KC panic about Chiefs’ playoff hopes? Plus big shakeup at KC Current Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

With consecutive losses, the Chiefs have hit a rough patch. Can they work free or are they stuck? Chiefs Insider Pete Sweeney breaks down where things stand with a Chiefs team, coming off the loss in Denver and having to face another division leader this weekend in the Indianapolis Colts.

Also, a shakeup at the Current since falling in their NWSL playoff opener included Vlatko Andonovski the coach who guided the organization’s most successful regular season. Where did he land?

Soccer correspondent Daniel Sperry discusses Current’s moves, plus how Sporting KC can benefit from the MLS’s decision to switch its playing calendar to align with major European leagues.

SportsBeat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Randy Mason, Monty Davis, Irvin Zhang, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

KC Chiefs’ high-stakes game vs. Broncos & crushing end to Current’s season Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

Not often in the Patrick Mahomes era have the Chiefs looked up in the AFC West standing this late in the season. But here they are in third place with a 5-4 record, making Sunday’s game at the first-place Denver Broncos critical to their division chances.

On SportsBeat KC, Chiefs Insider Pete Sweeney and Star columnist Sam McDowell discuss the game and what it will take for the Chiefs to capture a 10th straight AFC West title — and if rookie left tackle Josh Simmons returns this week, how much should he play?

Also, Star soccer correspondent Daniel Sperry breaks down the crushing end to the KC Current’s playoff run, a loss to Gotham FC in the NWSL quarterfinals.

Sports Beat KC is the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, hosted by Blair Kerkhoff. It’s produced by Randy Mason, Irvin Zhang, Suzanne Hogan, and Gabriella Lacey, and edited by Jeff Rosen and Scott Chasen.

What went wrong in KC’s loss to Bills? Breaking down Chiefs at halfway point Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

The Chiefs have crossed the halfway point of their schedule, and if the season ended today they wouldn’t be in the playoffs. It’s a strange place to be for the team that’s played in five of the last six Super Bowls.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, Star columnist Sam McDowell shares his thoughts on where thing stand with the Chiefs, starting with Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. The sequence at the end of the first half in which the Chiefs settled for a field goal from the 1, was critical in the outcome, according to McDowell.

As the Chiefs head into a bye week, we look at the second half of the season and speculate what it’s going to take to make the postseason for an 11th straight year.

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Inside huge Chiefs game on the horizon, plus impact of college coaching shakeup Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

The Chiefs keep rolling. They polished off the Washington Commanders 28-7 on Monday Night Football for their third straight victory and fifth in the last six games. It also sets them up nicely for a showdown on the road Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian break down the triumph and look ahead to Sunday’s huge game against the Buffalo Bills.

After a break, we discuss the big events in college football last weekend. The news was good for Kansas State. Not so much for Kansas and Missouri, not to mention a bunch of coaches who have been fired recently.

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Inside Chiefs’ near-perfect shutout. Plus, who needs Sunflower Showdown more? Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

The Chiefs won in a way NFL teams aren’t supposed to win. They dominated the Las Vegas Raiders in a 31-0 victory and held the visitors to three first downs and fewer than 100 total yards.

On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnist Sam McDowell explain how it happened and what it means for the Chiefs, who return to action on “Monday Night Football” against the Washington Commanders.

Also, the Chiefs welcomed back receiver Rashee Rice — and he delivered a big game — but are still missing left tackle Josh Simmons, and now defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott could be lost for the season.

The Sunflower Showdown arrives this weekend when Kansas State travels to Kansas. The Wildcats own a 16-game winning streak in the series, but beat writers Kellis Robinett and Shreyas Laddha discuss why both teams are feeling pressure in this game.

Check out this week’s podcast.

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Chiefs impressive in victory, and look who they welcome back Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

The Chiefs delivered their best performance of the season by defeating the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football. Patrick Mahomes played like an MVP, and we know what looks like. The Chiefs defense held the Lions to less than half of their scoring total, and they got a solid performance from a new starter, left tackle Jaylon Moore.

Columnist Sam McDowell Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney break it down on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR and looking ahead to the long-awaited return of wide receiver Rashee Rice, who comes off his season-opening six-game suspension in time for Sunday’s home game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Also, we discuss the latest developments in the Kansas City stadium story. What does it mean to have a new Jackson County executive?

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How Chiefs’ roller coaster game ended in a crash, plus a World Cup update Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

The Chiefs had control of their Monday Night Football game at Jacksonville, then lost it, regained it, and finally went down to defeat. On SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Kansas City Star and KCUR, beat writer Pete Sweeney breaks down what went wrong in the crushing 31-28 loss.

In other topics, the FIFA World Cup in North America is ninth months away, and Kansas City will be part of the action. What progress has been made? KC2026 CEO Pam Kramer provides a snapshot of what’s been happening, and what needs to happen as Kansas City prepares for the world’s biggest sporting event.

Missouri takes on Alabama on Saturday in one of the biggest college football games in the Tigers’ SEC era. We preview the college football weekend.

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Chiefs making strides after big victory, but the race is over for the Royals Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

The Chiefs played a complete game and the Royals completed a season. Both are topics on SportsBeat KC, the sports podcast of The Star and KCUR.

Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney breaks down Kansas City’s convincing 37-20 triumph over the Baltimore Ravens and what it means as they take on an a Jacksonville Jaguars team that suddenly looks rugged.

The Royals finished their season with a winning record but missed the playoffs. Is the glass half-full or half-empty? And how does next year shape up? Beat writer Jaylon Thompson joins columnists Sam McDowell and Vahe Gregorian in the discussion.

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Victory in New York fixed everything for Chiefs, right? Plus KC’s big soccer weekend Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

All fixed, right? The Chiefs won their first game this season, at the New York Giants on Sunday. It wasn’t artful but a much-needed victory, and the Chiefs might have found a weapon at wide receiver in the process.

On SportsBeat KC, sports podcast of The Star and KCUR, beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnist Sam McDowell break down the triumph near Gotham. and look ahead to Sunday’s home game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Also, Star correspondent Daniel Sperry reviews the huge soccer weekend in Kansas City. He covers the Current, Sporting KC and the Premier League’s fan festival at the Power & Light District. Was the party at the P&L a preview of what Kansas City can expect with World Cup visitors next summer?

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The oddness of an 0-2 Chiefs record & what more can Salvy do for Royals? Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

The 0-2 Chiefs. That hasn’t happened since 2014, Andy Reid’s second year with the organization and three years before Kansas City drafted Patrick Mahomes. But that’s where the Chiefs stand two weeks into the NFL season with the latest loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in a Super Bowl rematch.

On SportsBeat KC, The Star’s sports podcast, beat writer Pete Sweeney and columnist Sam McDowell discuss the key factors in the Chiefs’ slow start, especially on the offensive side. When the strong-armed quarterback is the team’s leading rusher you know there are multiple issues.

After a break, Royals beat writer Jaylon Thompson and columnist Vahe Gregorian set up the season’s final two weeks and break down the long odds of the Royals’ playoff chances. Hey, it’s late in the year and the Royals remain alive. But a second straight postseason appearance is a longshot...even with Salvador Perez reaching career milestones while improving his Hall of Fame credentials.

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