The direction of this much-anticipated Chiefs season hinges on countless factors, none more than the extreme makeover of a vulnerable defense and, should they make the playoffs, whatever mystical means they might summon to win more than one postseason game for the first time in a generation of futility.
Even so, no aspect of the adventure will be followed as deliriously as second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes ascending into the starting role.
Absolutely unfairly, it will be impossible for Mahomes to immediately live up to the hysteria that ignores how good predecessor Alex Smith actually was and seems to assume Mahomes can instantly break every Chiefs passing record and lead them deep into the playoffs.