What a difference a year makes.

Last year at this time there was actually still a little bit of hope with the Chiefs. They would lose 13-9 to the Steelers on Sunday Night Football in Week 12, dropping to 4-7 on the season -- not officially eliminated from the playoffs. Tyler Palko, not starter Matt Cassel, started against Pittsburgh. The Chiefs would go on to win three of their final five games.

This year the Chiefs are 1-7 and there is zero hope in the season. Not a single soul thinks the Chiefs are going to go on a run to make the season respectable as they did in 2011 (at least in the standings). Matt Cassel, not starter Brady Quinn, gets the nod against Pittsburgh.

Todd Haley was a villain at this time last year, starting Tyler Palko against Pittsburgh instead of Kyle Orton, who was claimed off waivers days before the game. This year, Scott Pioli is the villain, giving the Chiefs non-existent backup quarterback options.

It kinda seems like the more things change, the more they stay the same. All the things we were saying about the Chiefs last year -- this team is too good to be 4-7! -- applies this year. The quarterback situation has different names but it's basically the same. Back-to-back primetime games when the Chiefs are at their worst, just like last year.

Were you more depressed last year, with Palko about to line up against the Steelers? Or this year, with Cassel about to line up agains the Steelers?