If you're a Chiefs fan, you woke up last Monday morning with a sense of an all-to-familiar sense of dread.
Same ol' Chiefs.
Kansas City had a second chance at wrapping up the AFC West title and homefield advantage through the conference playoffs with a win. But a 38-31 loss to the Seahawks at Seattle delayed that celebration of potential postseason success.
The Chiefs get shot No. 3 this afternoon when they host the Oakland/Las Vegas/Santa Clara/San Antonio/London Raiders. The third time will be the charm and the AFC road to the Super Bowl potentially has to come through Arrowhead Stadium.
But Chiefs fans have thought this before. If you've got a few minutes to spare, just ask a Chiefs fan about their postseason woes through the years.
OK, it may take more than a few minutes.
On Christmas Day in 1971, the Chiefs' run of playoff frustration began with a 27-24 loss in double overtime to the Dolphins at Miami. It gets worse from there.
In 1991, the Chiefs led the Dolphins 16-3 going into the fourth quarter of a wild-card game in Miami. They lost 17-16.
In 1996, the Chiefs lost to the Indianapolis Colts 10-7 in a divisional round game at Arrowhead Stadium in a game Kansas City kicker Lin Elliott missed three field goals.
In 1998, the Chiefs led the Broncos 10-7 going into the fourth quarter of a divisional round game at Arrowhead Stadium. They lost 14-10.
In 2004, the Chiefs hosted the Colts in the divisional round. The Colts, with Peyton Manning, never punted in a 38-31 win against the Chiefs. I repeat, never punted.
In 2014, the Chiefs led the Colts 31-10 at halftime in a wild-card game in Indianapolis. They lost 45-44. At least this loss to the Colts was on the road.
In 2017, an 18-16 home loss to the Steelers in the division round. Pittsburgh's points came on six field goals.
And the latest early January gem came this calendar year when the Chiefs led the Titans 21-3 at halftime at Arrowhead Stadium. They lost 22-21.
Just thinking about these makes my stomach hurt.
You want a shorter conversation? Ask about the postseason wins since Kansas City defeated Minnesota in Super Bowl IV. It won't take long to run down all four of those beauties since that 1970 championship win against the Vikings.
So after the Chiefs beat the Raiders today, and they will beat the Raiders today, why will this season end any different?
Two words - Patrick Mahomes. The second-year standout gives the Chiefs something they've never had, a quarterback who realistically lead the team on a scoring drive on every possession.
OK, being realistic, the Chiefs also have a defense that can give up a score on every possession as well. Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton is the object of scorn, rightfully so. But he's not getting fired anytime soon. But with the defensive struggles, you would think he's in his final few games, even with a Super Bowl victory, with the Chiefs.
Except
Chiefs coach Andy Reid is a loyal person. Stories about him keeping in close touch with Missouri players from when he was an assistant coach with the Tigers 30 years ago are legendary.
Loyalty is something you want from a friend. Loyalty is something you most definitely want from a boss. But I don't know if loyalty to Sutton is what the Chiefs need in the 2019 season.
But that's next year. After the Chiefs beat the Raiders today, and they will beat the Raiders today, they will have a week off before hosting a divisional round game.
The offense will score in that game. But that doesn't mean the Chiefs will win.
It's been an entertaining season for the Chiefs. The potential is there for it to end Feb. 3 in Atlanta, it's there for it to end the second weekend of January at Arrowhead Stadium.
The only thing I know is after the Chiefs beat the Raiders today, and they will beat the Raiders today, there will be another chance to make postseason memories. Hopefully good ones.
Unless they're the same ol' Chiefs.