The perception of the Chiefs is positive outside of Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 30: Kansas City Chiefs fans hold up a sign for quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 during the second quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 30: Kansas City Chiefs fans hold up a sign for quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 during the second quarter of the game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)

Kansas City Chiefs fans are nervous as the team prepares for the 2018 postseason, but outsiders think highly of the team.

I get it. It is easy to dread this time of year if you’re a Kansas City Chiefs fan, simply because the month of January, the NFL playoffs, has not been kind to the team. A long list of heartbreaks, six consecutive losses at home in the postseason and the Indianapolis Colts are involved in many of those playoff games.

Everyone in Kansas City is excited to see Patrick Mahomes each week. But given the imbalance of this team, many fans feel pessimistic about the team’s chances because of the defense. The team’s postseason history doesn’t help.

It is not easy being a Kansas City Chiefs fan in January.

More from Arrowhead Addict

I spent the New Year’s holiday in Las Vegas. I watched the Chiefs vs. Raiders match at Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo, one of the best sports bars and sportsbooks in Sin City. I came across a lot of Chiefs fans who said they are excited, but also nervous for the playoffs. I also came across a lot of non-Chiefs fans who told me that they think the Chiefs can go all the way.

Trying to be a modest sports fan, I replied to non-Chiefs fans, “Our defense isn’t very good though.”

Their response, “But you’ve got Patrick Mahomes. You’ve got the best offense in the league. I would rather be in your situation and have your offense.”

Chiefs fans are being cautiously optimistic for this weekend’s game. But outside of Kansas City, NFL fans think highly of the current state of the franchise. Sure, they may not be familiar with the team’s recent playoff history as much, unless they follow all 32 teams and their past closely.

Regardless of what I said about the Chiefs defense, many fans wished that their team was in Kansas City’s shoes right now.

This got me thinking: are we too negative? Are we too down on our team? Are we expecting too much? Are we expecting perfection when we also know it is unrealistic?

There is nothing wrong with a fan wanting any of that. But I think given how Mahomes started his 2018 campaign, Chiefs fans were hooked and do not want the team to waste an opportunity to lose key games with Mahomes or suffer another disappointing loss during the playoffs.

Like I said in the beginning: I get it. Even the most optimistic Chiefs fan has their doubts about the team’s playoff chances. That is why this franchise is overdue for a win, owing it to this fan base.

Schedule