If anything was clear about the state of the Chiefs after last season, it was that they had plateaued under coach Andy Reid.
In five seasons, Reid had gone 53-27 in the regular season to restore dignity, competitiveness and hope to the franchise in turmoil when he took over after the 2-14 fiasco in 2012. Sterling work, in fact.
But with another playoff cave-in, this time a 22-21 loss to Tennessee sprinkled with bizarre officiating but most notable for a botched 21-3 lead, the Chiefs fell to 1-4 in the postseason under the former Philadelphia Eagles head coach.