Chiefs fans typically fall into 4 categories right now. There is the fringe positive group who have all the faith in the world. These folks aren’t glass is half full people. They are glass is half full for now but it is about to get filled up people. They believe no matter what that the Chiefs will find a way to win. The other fringe group is the people who think we are done not just for this year but forever. This is the Fire Andy, Fire Veach, Fire Spags group. They aren’t glass is half empty people. They are the glass is half empty and the fluid that fills that half is piss kind of people. I’m not sure either of those groups really watch football and if they do, they probably became fans somewhere around 2013 or later. They haven’t felt the pain of many seasons falling short. And also don’t remember all the bad decisions it took to get to the great decision of hiring Andy Reid. This column is not for them.

The rest of us Chiefs fans also are divided into two groups. But we also have a lot in common. We are loyal and have suffered and no matter what happens appreciate where the Chiefs have come from and all that they have accomplished the last few years. But we are two groups within this group. One group has sort of thrown in the towel. They are saying things like this just isn’t our year. They are pointing to real facts like we can’t get off the field on 3rd down. We can’t get pressure without blitzing and we can’t cover when we blitz. We refuse to run the ball especially under center even though when we do, it works really well. But we can’t pass or don’t pass from under center so we are predictable. Pat can’t throw a deep ball. We aren’t good when it matters. I see all that too. It’s reasonable to believe that we won’t win out and so what’s the point in having hope. The other half of us, although it might be less than half these days, has more hope and can point to some facts for believing. I get both sides and I think the conversation about hope in the movie Shawshank Redemption is fitting. Those of us with hope are like Andy. “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” Those more skeptical or you could argue more realistic, are like Red. “Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.” Man, wasn’t that true of us all before Andy. And really before Patrick. Mahomes changed everything. From just hoping to make a run at some point to now the expectation being super bowl or bust every year. Going to the Super Bowl right now seems unrealistic. With the news today, that we might be playing Sunday night without 3 of our starting offensive linemen, things certainly look even bleaker. So why am I writing about hope when everything looks so terrible. Because hope is more fun. Isn’t that what fandom is all about? I mean who wants to hang in the towel in week 14? I mean if they lose on Sunday and you thought they would lose, does it suck any less for you than it does for me who hopes and thinks they will win? So here are a few thoughts and facts to encourage my hopeful Chief brethren and hopefully get some my other more disgruntled Chiefs fans to get on the hope train one last time.

The last 12 years the Chiefs have had a 5 game win streak at some point in the season:

Every year that Andy Reid has been our coach, we have had at least a 5 game win streak. Why can’t this be lucky year number 13? And the only way that it can happen is if we win out.

Pat is extra good in December:

Pat is undefeated in 5 out of 7 Decembers that he has been the starter. Why not make it 6 out of 8. And if we go undefeated in December, then you know we are going to win out. We aren’t losing to the Raiders after winning 4 in a row.

You…the fans at Arrowhead:

The last 5 games, we play 2 easy games on the road and 3 hard games at home. We are significantly better at home this year. Partly because of the raucous Arrowhead crowd. I saw some seats were going for like $53. If I lived there I’d be in an heart beat. Hell, I’m half tempted to drive across Kansas to go to the game. But Jeff…it’s gonna be cold. But Jeff…they are gonna lose. But Jeff…it’s not gonna matter if I go or not. After what this team has given us the past 7 years, you owe them. Get there if you are able. Be loud, be proud and help will them to victory. If you can’t go, I get it. Be like me and watch every minute of it with positive vibes. I know the 3 home games are tough. But they are winnable. Even with Wayna Morris at left tackle. Less winnable…sure. But winnable none the less.

Tough Schedules all around:

I know a lot of you are doing the math and saying, even if we win out, we might not get in. If we win out and don’t make the playoffs, I’ll wear a Raiders t shirt for every playoff game. There is no way we win out and don’t make it in. Everyone else has a tough schedule too. Let’s look at who we are competing with and some of the tougher teams they have to play.

Colts: @ Jags, @ Seahawks, 49ers, Jags, @ Texans (hell, the Colts might not win another game).

Jags: Colts, @ Broncos, @ Colts

Texans: @ Chiefs, @ Chargers, Colts

Bills: Bengals, @ Patriots, Eagles

Chargers: Eagles, @ Chiefs, @ Cowboys, Texans, @ Broncos (brutal 5 game stretch)

Ravens: Steelers, @ Bengals, Patriots, @ Packers, @ Steelers

Steelers: @ Ravens, the suddenly pesky Dolphins at home, @ Lions, Ravens

These teams at most have two more wins than us. The margin for error is thin, but if we win the next two, it isn’t out of the question that we could get in at 10-7. And we would certainly get in at 11-6.

It’s gonna be cold:

I’m not saying the Texans aren’t tough. But they play in a dome…in Texas. And the cold weather will hopefully slow down those Texan pass rushers a little bit. Some snow would be even better. Maybe we can get some of that in the forecast before Sunday.

It’s Christmas time, the season of miracles:

You got to have hope this time of year. This is the time of year that dreams come true. The time of year that everyone is full of hope and joy. Don’t be a debbie downer during Christmas time. Turn that frown upside down with a little hope in Patrick and the boys.

We’ve been here before:

Okay, we have never been 6-6 before. But we have been down and thought this isn’t going to happen or we just aren’t good. In 2019, Pat hurt is leg and we thought we were toast. He came back after missing two games and we immediately lost to the Titans and were 6-4. We didn’t lose again. In our first playoff game, we were down 24-0. We came back and won. Then we were down at least 10 in the AFC championship and the Super Bowl and won both. In 2021, we came off a tough super bowl loss. The offense was broken. We lost to the Titans…again. We were 3-4. We finished 12-5. We beat the Bills in the 13 second game and then lost in OT in the AFC championship game. In 2022, we were done because no Tyreek. I told my brother before the season we were going to prove the world wrong and win the whole thing and we did just that. In 2023, we were painful to watch offensively. We had so many dropped passes. And even when we weren’t dropping passes, it didn’t look good. We got our butts kicked on Christmas Day by the Raiders. We limped into the playoffs and everyone thought we were toast. What happened next, we beat the Dolphins then went to Buffalo and won, then went to Baltimore and won and then beat the 49ers in overtime. Last year, it felt like every game we were going to lose. But we found a way to end up 15-2. Everyone thought we were frauds. We again made it to the Super Bowl. Besides 2020, every year in this dynasty has been a year of doubt. Every year the media says we aren’t good anymore and the dynasty is over. Every year fans doubt that the Chiefs can overcome their weaknesses. And then they find a way and we all say we will never doubt again…of course until next year. So why now, should we give up hope? Do things look bleak, sure. Do I wish we had a healthy offensive line? Of course. Do I wish we could get off the field on 3rd down and that someone besides Chris Jones could get pressure in one on one match ups? You betcha. Do I wish we would run the ball from under center 10 more times a game than we do? Yes, please. But every time I think this just might be it for us, they find a way. So instead of moping around and dreading watching Morris try to block Will Anderson Jr, have a little faith that Andy, Pat, Travis, Chris and the gang will be ready to go and find a way to grind out a win. It’s the holiday season, and all I want for Christmas is an undefeated December from our Chiefs. I guess if they lose on Sunday, you can say I told you so. Or you can hop on the Polar Express of Hope and join me in believing. With our backs against the wall and no one believing in them, I’ll take our guys over everyone. Sunday night we will find out if they prove me right. Until then, I’m spending the week full of hope and expecting a Chiefs victory on Sunday night. Let’s do this! Go Chiefs!