I think the problem was this: They knew they weren't supposed to be in the playoffs.

The multitude of events that had to happen to tip them into the post-season could have just as easily signaled Armageddon. If they would have made it to the second round, I'd have my eyes open for ark construction and an ominous rain cloud.

The Kansas City Chiefs hung it up a couple of hours too early this season. And we should just let it go, lay it to rest, move on. Let bygones be bygones.

There are no bygones in football.

Salt is cheap, so let's sprinkle a little more on our wounds. The last time Kansas City made it to the Super Bowl was 1970. That was before my time and according to my doctor, as of this year, that's really saying something.

With a semi-benchmark birthday looming in my future, she told me to buy some calcium pills because, as she gently put it, "It's all downhill from here."

Speaking of abuse against the elderly, many fans were chanting "Huard," especially during the Chiefs' final game. But I believe, and I think Trent Green would agree, that Trent Green is a good quarterback. He's the starter and deserved to be the finisher. Good call, Herm.

I worry about Trent though. He's almost 37. He fell and couldn't get up. He's looking downhill too and has a year, maybe two, to get past round one again. I wonder if he's considered calcium supplements.

Now, there are some positives to K.C.'s situation, and when strung all together, they might cast a dim ray of light on their questionable recent history. I do believe attending just one game at Arrowhead will make anybody a fan. As proof, the Chiefs have sold out every game at home since 1991. That's 133 consecutive games.

There aren't many fair-weather fans on Kansas City's side. We're prepared to dig our heels in and stick it out game by game.

Do we have a choice? Geographically speaking, yes we do. Based on proximity, the alternatives are Denver, St. Louis, or the "D" word due south.

Travel time is about the same to any one of these stadiums and I bet tickets would be easier to come by.....

Wait, I'm supposed to list positives here.

K.C. was 6-2 at home this year. They have the second-best home record in the NFL since 1995. (Fan rule: When suffering from a big loss, focus on some kind of team record.)

Tony Gonzales was contracted to be a Chief for five more years. Here's hoping the play-callers get that memo by next fall.

Coach Herm Edwards looks good on the Chiefs sidelines and, allow me to be a girl here for a minute, he's a good friend. (Not to me personally, but ESPN ran a story on him and his best friend, Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy.) They've been friends for years and they root for each other until they step onto the same field on the same day. And maybe even then.

That story actually dulled the pain of watching Dungy's Colts manhandle the Chiefs. And it also makes me feel better about holding onto hope for the Chiefs for 2007, 2008, or whenever....

Maybe just a tiny glimmer of hope tied to an obscure stats record is what fans need to survive this extended stint in play-off purgatory.

That and a multivitamin.