FOXBORO — Maybe it had been so long we all forgot.

Winning is one hell of a drug.

For 10 days, that ugly upset at Pittsburgh cast such a spell it induced visions of a happy ending to this Patriots season.

For 10 days, small pockets of the fanbase and media fantasized about the potential of a five-game win streak crossing into the New Year; of a locker room banded together, forged in the fires of doubt and defeat; of Bill Belichick, defiant and determined, scheming upsets of the reigning Super Bowl champions, Broncos and Bills before disemboweling the Jets to prove he deserves another year.

Then all of those visions shattered Sunday.

The Chiefs choked the Patriots out over the second half of a 27-17 win so painfully Belichick seemed to cry uncle when he punted in the face of a three-possession deficit with nine minutes left and later didn’t bother to take his final timeout. The game reeked of boredom. All of Sunday’s sizzle fizzled once Kansas City took control just minutes after halftime, despite an ongoing battle between the best quarterback on the planet and the greatest coach of all time.

That coach is now the last main character at 1 Patriot Place capable of inspiring intrigue on or off the field. Between this loss and the Pittsburgh win, a slow-developing reporter’s duel unfolded between NBC Sports Boston and the NFL Network over Belichick’s future; one outlet claiming Robert Kraft decided a month ago he would part ways, and the latter saying no “firm” decision had been reached.

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Setting aside the issue of whom to believe, the rationale behind Kraft possibly choosing patience is that Belichick, a 28-37 head coach since 2019, might steer the Patriots out of disaster to end this season. Baked into that line of thinking is that the game results propping up a four or five-game win streak would be meaningful. If we still accept these games as meaningful, Sunday spoke loudly.

Like, Gillette Stadium lighthouse on third down loud.

The Chiefs out-flanked the Patriots in all three phases, allowing 120 fewer yards on defense and enjoying a notable advantage in starting field position. Offensively, they won through star power and depth, as Patrick Mahomes completed passes to nine different receivers and threw for 305 yards, while All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce barely made an appearance.

Kansas City’s thumping, particularly in a “down year” for Mahomes and Co., made clear there will be no shortcut for the Patriots on the road back to relevance.

The Pats must identify their next quarterback, a passer who can extend plays like Mahomes and create plays to beat perfect defense with off-platform, off-schedule throws. They must replenish their star-level talent and develop depth across the roster. Injuries further exposed their bare-bones depth chart Sunday; from ex-Texans practice-squader Alex Austin starting at cornerback and Patriots practice-squad alumni Conor McDermott opening at left tackle.

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The Pats have no choice but to refortify their coaching staff that has allowed basic mistakes to become routine. Against the Chiefs, they committed penalties that negated both a Hunter Henry touchdown and a forced fumble on defense. After Sunday, their offense will remain the lowest-scoring outfit in the league, while their special teams continue to reside in the NFL’s basement.

Like the Pats’ roster rot, the Chiefs’ win Sunday’s was born from years of roster-building decisions and executions.

Kansas City beat the Patriots in free agency, spending to add high-caliber offensive linemen like Orlando Brown, Joe Thuney and Jawaan Taylor instead of cast-offs like McDermott, Riley Reiff and Calvin Anderson. The Chiefs beat them in the draft, where they found 16 of their 22 starters Sunday. The Patriots? Just 10.

Last April, Kansas City drafted second-round rookie receiver Rashee Rice one year after the Pats traded up to take Tyquan Thornton. On Sunday, Rice caught as many passes as Thornton has all season and gained 25 more yards. He finished with a game-high 91, plus a touchdown.

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Good coaching isn’t good enough in the NFL anymore. Belichick’s forever plan — making opposing offenses play “left-handed” — worked against Kelce. The future Hall of Famer and world’s most famous boyfriend finished with 28 yards. His team won anyway.

Whether you believe in the power of Belichick at this stage of his career or believe his future lies in another market, his players know — and have known — who they are.

A team without a quarterback. A team tracking for a top-5 pick without having made a trade. A team that used to look a lot like the one that handled them Sunday.

After their latest loss, the Patriots are again one game back of the Panthers for the No. 1 overall pick. They’ve been here before. It’s exactly where they were two weeks ago, before the high of the Pittsburgh win foolishly allowed for a future that slipped through our fingers as soon as some dared to dream it.