ShawneeDispatch.com

Congratulations are in order for the Kansas City Chiefs.

I'm not sure I can explain how difficult it was for me to write that sentence. But it's true. As much as this Denver Broncos fan hates to say it, the Chiefs did what they had to do and should be congratulated for sliding their way into the playoffs during coach Herm Edwards' first season in town.

My initial reaction after Denver's shocking, 26-23, overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday -- the final piece of last weekend's puzzle that put the Chiefs in the playoffs -- was that Kansas City didn't deserve to go to the playoffs and was lucky to sneak in.

I still feel that way, but after my own disappointment and frustration gave way to common sense, I realized something -- maybe the Chiefs did deserve it.

Don't get me wrong; I don't think any team that gives up a 14-point fourth-quarter lead to lowly Cleveland during a crucial game late in the season deserves to make the playoffs. But I can't say Denver deserved it either. The same goes for Cincinnati. What a weird season.

Three teams that many thought could -- and would -- compete for the AFC title struggled all season with consistency and only one of them winds up making the playoffs.

As much as I'm disappointed that the Broncos string of consecutive playoff appearances ended this year, I guess the result of that final wild and wacky week of the season is what I love most about NFL football. Anything's possible during any given week. With a backup quarterback nobody's heard of, Cleveland can beat Kansas City. A botched extra point by the Bengals can slam the door shut on Cincinnati's playoff hopes, only to have it reopen the following week before slamming shut for good in an overtime loss to Pittsburgh. And Denver, a team that was one game away from the Super Bowl a season ago, can lose in front of its home fans to a 6-9 team that had nothing but pride to play for.

I'm not thrilled about Denver being home and Kansas City getting in, but even that won't stop me from watching the playoffs. I love this time of year. And, for what it's worth, I'll take Baltimore and New Orleans in Super Bowl XLI.

On a more serious note, regarding something far more important than the score of some silly game, I was devastated to learn that on the same night the Broncos lost their chance at the playoffs the organization suffered a far greater loss when cornerback Darrent Williams was shot and killed in his limousine outside of a Denver nightclub.

It is not yet known whether the tragedy was a random act of violence, was aimed at Williams or was linked to the team's loss to the 49ers. But, either way, it has taken its toll on the entire NFL community.

If Williams' untimely death winds up being linked to the Broncos' late-season collapse, the pain of this senseless act will only cut deeper. It won't be the first time an athlete has encountered violence due to the outcome of a sporting event. But if you ask me, even once is one too many.

Williams was a delightful player with a bright future and his passing hurts far more than missing out on the playoffs.