Coming into the season, I had my usual high hopes for the Chiefs. I felt that if we went 12-4, as I do each year, then life would be good. I truly believe each year that the Chiefs should sweep at home and break even on the road; after all, we are supposed to have the vaunted Arrowhead advantage. At the moment, though, we stand 2-5 at home and 2-3 on the road, with games still at Denver (5-7), Detroit (6-6) and the Jets (3-9) and home with the Titans (7-5). Surely, we can pull wins out and end the season at 8-8.

I got to thinking, however, in my usual superstitious way, that maybe it was something I did, or didn’t, do at our home games to add to the loss of the Arrowhead advantage. I checked back over the food I cooked, the people I tailgated with, the people I brought, even the weather. So far, I have attended six games this year. I missed the Charger game but I fully expect to be at the last home game against the Titans. Therefore, this is not a fully scientific study but close enough for superstitious fans like me.

Vikings–a win by the closest of scores, 13-10, with the winning score being made right down in front of my dad and me (our seats are in section 233). Food that day–ham, eggs, hash browns and other breakfast stuff (amazing what all can be cooked on a grill). Weather–hot.

Jaguars–a loss, 17-7. My dad was with me. Food was grilled fish with shrimp to nibble on while the fish cooked. Weather was a little wet with rain off and on. Met some great folks from the chiefshuddle.

Bengals–we held on to a 27-20 win which should never have been that close. Took a buddy who happens to be a Steelers fan and who was attending his first NFL game. I figured his hating the Bengals would certainly add to our karma. Food was honey mustard pork chops and sweet-and-sour-chicken. Met up with some other wonderful folks from the chiefshuddle.

Packers–we blow a fourth quarter lead to lose 33-22. My dad was with me and the weather was fairly pleasant. Food was sort of a breakfast deal with some sausage and eggs and breakfast chops. Lots of great folks from the chiefshuddle in attendance.

Broncos–Cool weather and we lose 27-11. Brought a co-worker who happens to be a Broncos fan and had never been to a game. Food was similar to Bengals game and met up with the usual great tailgating crew.

Raiders–cold and we lose 20-17. Brought a friend who has come with me the last two years to the Raider game (he happens to be a Raiders fan). Food was steak and eggs and we hooked up with the usual bunch of the greatest people you could ever meet.

After analyzing the data I could arrive at only one conclusion. It wasn’t the food–although I think that the ham-and-eggs and hashbrowns may have been the best. It wasn’t the company–my dad is definitely not a jinx and the folks we hooked up with each game from chiefshuddle are some of the best and most loyal fans in the world. It wasn’t the weather–we lost in rain, in sun and in cold. No, and as much as it pains me to admit this, let alone say it, it can only be one thing–we simply are not very good this year.

Whatever the reason, be it talent (which I refuse to believe is that low), be it injuries (which hit every team over 16 games), be it coaching (well, decide for yourself)–whatever the reason my beloved Chiefs are sitting at 4-8 after losing five in a row–I do know that I will without a doubt be in attendance next year. Loyalty does not recognize won-loss records–loyalty is ever-renewing. Not to mention that Arrowhead Stadium is still the greatest place on Earth to tailgate and the greatest place to hook up with the greatest fans.