As many a Kansas City Chiefs fan is well aware, depth is crucial in making a deep postseason run. While the New England Patriots were the better team, Tom Brady was his imperious best and some suspect play calling towards the end of the game were all major factors in deciding the outcome of the tie, the injuries that the Chiefs suffered clearly had a major impact on the ability of the team, especially the defense and the pass rush.
Justin Houston was playing on a heavily strained ACL, Tamba Hali was also ineffectual due to injury and Jeremy Maclin was clearly limited in and out of his breaks.