One week after shocking the nation, interim head coach Romeo Crennel and company had a shot at an improbable division championship. The Broncos and Chargers both suffered losses during the weekend, leaving the door wide open for a late surge into the postseason.

All Kansas City had to do was win. At home. Against the Raiders.

Well, so much for that.

Those who tuned in or made the trek Christmas Eve to Arrowhead Stadium, I feel your pain. If you missed it, here’s a quick recap: flags flew, touchdown passes were dropped, more flags flew, field goals were blocked and more flags flew. Despite forcing overtime, the Chiefs watched their playoff hopes disappear in a 16-13 loss.

I may be a little bitter, but in the grand scheme of things, this is probably for the best. Nobody in the AFC West has any business in the postseason, and another first-round blowout loss isn’t the most appealing thing the world. I think I speak for all of Chiefs Nation when I say I’m ready for this nightmare to end.

Sadly enough, though, there is still one more opportunity for Kansas City to set its immediate future in disarray. Sunday’s season finale in Denver will include more than the usual bragging rights. It’s a minor shot at redemption for quarterback Kyle Orton, who was cut by the Broncos earlier this season.

A Chiefs win could potentially knock Orton’s former team out of playoff contention. Unfortunately, it could also help Orton make his case for a starting job in 2012. As fun as it sounds to watch every drive stall on the 15-yard line next season, I think I’ll pass.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for ending the season on a high note, and I’m certainly not an advocate for throwing games. But, in the interest of not seeing more turnovers than touchdowns in the red zone, I think I could muscle through one more loss this year.

This is obviously wishful thinking, but I’d much rather see the Chiefs go after a quarterback in the draft — someone like Baylor’s Robert Griffin III — and build the offense around him.

Maybe I’m totally off base. Maybe Orton will earn the starting job and finally realize the field isn’t 80 yards long, but I’m not holding my breath. The guy has been in the league since 2005. If he still hasn’t figured out how to be a successful quarterback, he probably never will.

Regardless of who’s under center next season, I think it’s safe to say a Super Bowl run is out of the question. Too many changes need to be made in a short period of time. But, the Chiefs can certainly avoid setting themselves further back by getting Orton off the field.