Chiefs Posnanski: Chiefs have had some not-so-grand finales

**Tribal Warfare** · 11:50 PM

Chiefs have had some not-so-grand finales

CINCINNATI | The Chiefs used to be masters of the meaningless game. If you’re a Chiefs fan, say, 35 or older, you will remember that well. For most of the 1980s, the Chiefs were dreadful. But every year from 1980 to 1987, they won their final regular-season game.

It was uncanny, really. No matter how bad they were, they would finish off the season with that hopeful victory. They often won those games big. They destroyed Seattle to finish off the miserable 1987 season. They obliterated Denver to close out a wasted 1983. They beat the New York Jets 37-13 for one of their three victories in the lousy 1982 strike season. They crushed Baltimore to end the strange 1980 season.

After each of these victories, of course, the coach would talk about how it was something to build on. The players would talk about how they never quit on the season and could not wait to get the next year started. And for a while, many fans would indeed build up a little bit of hope — mostly false hope. The Chiefs made the playoffs just once in those eight years, and they lost 12 more games than they won, and they fired two coaches, and nothing important ever really changed. After a while, the season-ending victories became something of a local joke.

Now, here it is, more than 20 years later, and the Chiefs are back to playing utterly pointless and insignificant games at season’s end. Today’s game against the Bengals is particularly irrelevant. The game features a two-win team versus a three-win team. Both are led by backup quarterbacks who were utterly unknown when the season began. The Chiefs have one of the worst defenses in NFL history — they will probably set the record for fewest sacks in a 16-game season and, with a bad effort today, they could give up more yards than any team in the league in 27 years. The Bengals, meanwhile, have the lowest scoring offense in the NFL. Both have a bulk of frustrated fans who, given their wishes, would have their team lose today. “I wish the Bengals had gone 0-16,” the hotel manager said upon check-in.

This would probably be the most insignificant game in the history of the Kansas City Chiefs, except for a few key points.

1. If the Chiefs lose today, they have an excellent shot at the No. 2 pick in the draft — matching the highest draft slot in team history. The Chiefs have had the No. 2 pick three times, and two of those players — Art Still and Neil Smith — are in the Chiefs Hall of Fame (the third, Mike Bell, had 51 sacks in his notable Chiefs career).

If the Chiefs win today, they will probably have the No. 3 pick in the draft — the Chiefs have never had the third pick.

2. It’s the last game for Carl Peterson as president/general manager/CEO of the Chiefs. This has sparked any number of emotions around town, but no one would deny that this marks the end of an era. He never built a team good enough to get to the Super Bowl, but they got pretty close a couple of times and there were good times in Peterson’s 20 years as GM. He brought at least a half dozen Hall of Fame players to town — Joe Montana, Marcus Allen, Derrick Thomas, Will Shields, Willie Roaf and Tony Gonzalez. The next GM is a mystery right now; the only thing we know for sure is that the times are a changin’.

3. It could be the last game for Chiefs coach Herm Edwards. That largely will be in the hands of the new general manager — I believe Chiefs owner Clark Hunt is keeping an open mind.

You wouldn’t expect today’s meaningless game to have much to do with Edwards’ future, but you never know. In 2000, the day before Christmas, the Chiefs played a final meaningless game at Atlanta. And they absolutely did not show up. The Chiefs lost 29-13, and it was apparent to everyone that the team had quit. That turned out to be the last game for head coach Gunther Cunningham — and the way the team played in that last game probably had something to do with his firing.

4. It could be the last Kansas City game for Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez. He has been a force since the Chiefs put Tyler Thigpen at quarterback and went to the spread offense. In Gonzalez’s last 10 games, he has caught 70 passes for 812 yards and seven touchdowns. With a big game today — 12 catches — he has a chance to break his own NFL record for most catches by a tight end in a season. At 32, he’s better than ever.

And yet, though Gonzalez has not talked about it much lately, he did ask to be traded earlier in the season and probably will ask to get traded again this offseason. He has made it clear that he would like to get one more shot at reaching the Super Bowl before he retires, and the Chiefs are a long way off.

So, with those points in mind, today’s game is probably not the most dreary season finale in Chiefs history. Here, then, are the dreariest six games to end Chiefs seasons:

6. December 16, 1979: Tampa Bay 3, Chiefs 0

The game was played in a monsoon in Tampa — the Chiefs picked up only 22 yards passing all game and lost on Neil O’Donoghue’s 19-yard field goal. The game was very meaningful for Tampa Bay — the victory pushed the Buccaneers into the playoffs for the first time, not bad for a team that had lost its first 26 games.

5. December 28, 2002: Oakland 24, Chiefs 0

That was a wild season for Kansas City — it was the first time the Chiefs ever led the NFL in points scored. The key was running back Priest Holmes, who was on pace to shatter several NFL records, including most yards from scrimmage and most touchdowns. But Holmes got hurt two weeks earlier in Denver, and without him the Chiefs ended the season getting shut out in a mud-pile in Oakland.

4. December 18, 1988: San Diego 24, Chiefs 13

Both teams were awful, and there were barely more than 26,000 people in the stands in San Diego for the game. San Diego’s Gary Anderson ran for 217 yards, and the Chiefs lost their season-ending game for the first time in nine years. Carl Peterson was officially hired the next day.

3. December 24, 2000: Atlanta 29, Chiefs 13

Already mentioned this game — it was all kinds of depressing. It was just before Christmas, the Chiefs had blown their playoff chances with five straight losses in the middle of the year, Chiefs quarterback Elvis Grbac got sacked four times and Atlanta’s Morten Andersen made five field goals. Carl Peterson flew to Philadelphia shortly after this game to beg coach Dick Vermeil to come out of retirement.

2. December 18, 1977: Oakland 21, Chiefs 20

The Chiefs blew a 20-6 lead in a game that featured three — count ’em — three missed extra points. The Raiders had already wrapped up their playoff spot; and so they started an obscure backup quarterback named Mike Rae, who led the Raiders back. He also offered the money quote: “What the hell,” he said. “It was just a practice game.”

1. December 14, 1974: Minnesota 35, Chiefs 15

There were only 35,480 watching in the rain that day, as Kansas City fans clearly realized that the glory days of the 1960s were over. The Chiefs finished with a losing record for the first time in more than a decade, and this game was a particular humiliation. The Vikings put 14 defensive players on the field before every snap in order to confuse 39-year-old quarterback Len Dawson, and the Chiefs offense did not score a touchdown. There was still some bad blood between the teams, going back to the Chiefs’ victory over the Vikings in Super Bowl IV — the Minnesota players and coaches clearly enjoyed this victory.

“We have a playoff game to look forward to next week,” Minnesota coach Bud Grant said after the game. “All they’ve got to look forward to is packing to go home.”

Hammock Parties · 12-27-2008, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

5. December 28, 2002: Oakland 24, Chiefs 0

That was a wild season for Kansas City — it was the first time the Chiefs ever led the NFL in points scored. The key was running back Priest Holmes, who was on pace to shatter several NFL records, including most yards from scrimmage and most touchdowns. But Holmes got hurt two weeks earlier in Denver, and without him the Chiefs ended the season getting shut out in a mud-pile in Oakland.

This one really sucked for me. I watched this at a bar I had discovered at the beginning of the year with about 10 other regulars. We had formed a bond. One guy passed around sheets of paper with the Chiefs' playoff scenario printed on it. We all sat there hoping...and muddy inch by muddy inch the Raiders pounded our playoff hopes away. Ugh.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-27-2008, 11:55 PM

A trip down "suckage memory lane"?

Dear KC Sports Press,

You are utterly ****ing useless. Your stories are as bland as week-old corn beef and cabbage, and you should consider shooting yourselves in the face as soon as possible.

If this is not possible, please consider a career in midget shit porn.

**** you very much,
DCS.

Hammock Parties · 12-27-2008, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth CarlSatan

A trip down "suckage memory lane"?

Dear KC Sports Press,

You are utterly ****ing useless, your stories are as bland as week-old corn beef and cabbage, and you should consider shooting yourselves in the face as soon as possible.

If this is not possible, please consider a career in midget shit porn.

**** you very much,
DCS.

Most people won't criticize JoPo, but you're right. It was kind of a boring rehash.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-28-2008, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

Most people won't criticize JoPo, but you're right. It was kind of a boring rehash.

Dude, I have read ALL of these hackney shit-farmers, and they do absolutely nothing for me.
I honestly like your work better than ANY of these clowns sans Whitlock, but that's just because I enjoy his blatant and over the top douchiness.

KCTitus · 12-28-2008, 12:12 AM

I guess Im confused...the article starts talking about how KC wins meaningless final games, but recounts the 5 worst finishes to a season.

I wont mind if KC lays crap on a stick...they've pretty much acted like the bitch all season long. What would really disappoint me would be a KC win -- for no reason. They've screwed the pooch the entire year and win on Sunday for what? for 3rd pick? I guess that shouldnt suprise me since Herm plays to win the game.

**Bowser** · 12-28-2008, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCTitus

I guess Im confused...the article starts talking about how KC wins meaningless final games, but recounts the 5 worst finishes to a season.

I wont mind if KC lays crap on a stick...they've pretty much acted like the bitch all season long. What would really disappoint me would be a KC win -- for no reason. They've screwed the pooch the entire year and win on Sunday for what? for 3rd pick? I guess that shouldnt suprise me since Herm plays to win the game.

You know it's going to happen. we're going to go out with lie a 41-13 victory, or some such crappola.

12-27-2008, 11:42 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2737187	Posnanski: Chiefs have had some not-so-grand finales Chiefs have had some not-so-grand finales CINCINNATI \| The Chiefs used to be masters of the meaningless game. If you’re a Chiefs fan, say, 35 or older, you will remember that well. For most of the 1980s, the Chiefs were dreadful. But every year from 1980 to 1987, they won their final regular-season game. It was uncanny, really. No matter how bad they were, they would finish off the season with that hopeful victory. They often won those games big. They destroyed Seattle to finish off the miserable 1987 season. They obliterated Denver to close out a wasted 1983. They beat the New York Jets 37-13 for one of their three victories in the lousy 1982 strike season. They crushed Baltimore to end the strange 1980 season. After each of these victories, of course, the coach would talk about how it was something to build on. The players would talk about how they never quit on the season and could not wait to get the next year started. And for a while, many fans would indeed build up a little bit of hope — mostly false hope. The Chiefs made the playoffs just once in those eight years, and they lost 12 more games than they won, and they fired two coaches, and nothing important ever really changed. After a while, the season-ending victories became something of a local joke. Now, here it is, more than 20 years later, and the Chiefs are back to playing utterly pointless and insignificant games at season’s end. Today’s game against the Bengals is particularly irrelevant. The game features a two-win team versus a three-win team. Both are led by backup quarterbacks who were utterly unknown when the season began. The Chiefs have one of the worst defenses in NFL history — they will probably set the record for fewest sacks in a 16-game season and, with a bad effort today, they could give up more yards than any team in the league in 27 years. The Bengals, meanwhile, have the lowest scoring offense in the NFL. Both have a bulk of frustrated fans who, given their wishes, would have their team lose today. “I wish the Bengals had gone 0-16,” the hotel manager said upon check-in. This would probably be the most insignificant game in the history of the Kansas City Chiefs, except for a few key points. 1. If the Chiefs lose today, they have an excellent shot at the No. 2 pick in the draft — matching the highest draft slot in team history. The Chiefs have had the No. 2 pick three times, and two of those players — Art Still and Neil Smith — are in the Chiefs Hall of Fame (the third, Mike Bell, had 51 sacks in his notable Chiefs career). If the Chiefs win today, they will probably have the No. 3 pick in the draft — the Chiefs have never had the third pick. 2. It’s the last game for Carl Peterson as president/general manager/CEO of the Chiefs. This has sparked any number of emotions around town, but no one would deny that this marks the end of an era. He never built a team good enough to get to the Super Bowl, but they got pretty close a couple of times and there were good times in Peterson’s 20 years as GM. He brought at least a half dozen Hall of Fame players to town — Joe Montana, Marcus Allen, Derrick Thomas, Will Shields, Willie Roaf and Tony Gonzalez. The next GM is a mystery right now; the only thing we know for sure is that the times are a changin’. 3. It could be the last game for Chiefs coach Herm Edwards. That largely will be in the hands of the new general manager — I believe Chiefs owner Clark Hunt is keeping an open mind. You wouldn’t expect today’s meaningless game to have much to do with Edwards’ future, but you never know. In 2000, the day before Christmas, the Chiefs played a final meaningless game at Atlanta. And they absolutely did not show up. The Chiefs lost 29-13, and it was apparent to everyone that the team had quit. That turned out to be the last game for head coach Gunther Cunningham — and the way the team played in that last game probably had something to do with his firing. 4. It could be the last Kansas City game for Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez. He has been a force since the Chiefs put Tyler Thigpen at quarterback and went to the spread offense. In Gonzalez’s last 10 games, he has caught 70 passes for 812 yards and seven touchdowns. With a big game today — 12 catches — he has a chance to break his own NFL record for most catches by a tight end in a season. At 32, he’s better than ever. And yet, though Gonzalez has not talked about it much lately, he did ask to be traded earlier in the season and probably will ask to get traded again this offseason. He has made it clear that he would like to get one more shot at reaching the Super Bowl before he retires, and the Chiefs are a long way off. So, with those points in mind, today’s game is probably not the most dreary season finale in Chiefs history. Here, then, are the dreariest six games to end Chiefs seasons: 6. December 16, 1979: Tampa Bay 3, Chiefs 0 The game was played in a monsoon in Tampa — the Chiefs picked up only 22 yards passing all game and lost on Neil O’Donoghue’s 19-yard field goal. The game was very meaningful for Tampa Bay — the victory pushed the Buccaneers into the playoffs for the first time, not bad for a team that had lost its first 26 games. 5. December 28, 2002: Oakland 24, Chiefs 0 That was a wild season for Kansas City — it was the first time the Chiefs ever led the NFL in points scored. The key was running back Priest Holmes, who was on pace to shatter several NFL records, including most yards from scrimmage and most touchdowns. But Holmes got hurt two weeks earlier in Denver, and without him the Chiefs ended the season getting shut out in a mud-pile in Oakland. 4. December 18, 1988: San Diego 24, Chiefs 13 Both teams were awful, and there were barely more than 26,000 people in the stands in San Diego for the game. San Diego’s Gary Anderson ran for 217 yards, and the Chiefs lost their season-ending game for the first time in nine years. Carl Peterson was officially hired the next day. 3. December 24, 2000: Atlanta 29, Chiefs 13 Already mentioned this game — it was all kinds of depressing. It was just before Christmas, the Chiefs had blown their playoff chances with five straight losses in the middle of the year, Chiefs quarterback Elvis Grbac got sacked four times and Atlanta’s Morten Andersen made five field goals. Carl Peterson flew to Philadelphia shortly after this game to beg coach Dick Vermeil to come out of retirement. 2. December 18, 1977: Oakland 21, Chiefs 20 The Chiefs blew a 20-6 lead in a game that featured three — count ’em — three missed extra points. The Raiders had already wrapped up their playoff spot; and so they started an obscure backup quarterback named Mike Rae, who led the Raiders back. He also offered the money quote: “What the hell,” he said. “It was just a practice game.” 1. December 14, 1974: Minnesota 35, Chiefs 15 There were only 35,480 watching in the rain that day, as Kansas City fans clearly realized that the glory days of the 1960s were over. The Chiefs finished with a losing record for the first time in more than a decade, and this game was a particular humiliation. The Vikings put 14 defensive players on the field before every snap in order to confuse 39-year-old quarterback Len Dawson, and the Chiefs offense did not score a touchdown. There was still some bad blood between the teams, going back to the Chiefs’ victory over the Vikings in Super Bowl IV — the Minnesota players and coaches clearly enjoyed this victory. “We have a playoff game to look forward to next week,” Minnesota coach Bud Grant said after the game. “All they’ve got to look forward to is packing to go home.” Last edited by Tribal Warfare; 12-27-2008 at 11:50 PM..
Posts: 43,412

12-27-2008, 11:55 PM	#3
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	A trip down "suckage memory lane"? Dear KC Sports Press, You are utterly **ing useless. Your stories are as bland as week-old corn beef and cabbage, and you should consider shooting yourselves in the face as soon as possible. If this is not possible, please consider a career in midget shit porn. you very much, DCS. __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!** Last edited by Sweet Daddy Hate; 12-28-2008 at 12:16 AM..
Posts: 77,135

12-28-2008, 12:12 AM	#6
KCTitus Archivist Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: The Ethernet Casino cash: $9882732	I guess Im confused...the article starts talking about how KC wins meaningless final games, but recounts the 5 worst finishes to a season. I wont mind if KC lays crap on a stick...they've pretty much acted like the bitch all season long. What would really disappoint me would be a KC win -- for no reason. They've screwed the pooch the entire year and win on Sunday for what? for 3rd pick? I guess that shouldnt suprise me since Herm plays to win the game. __________________ Anything you post on this BB can and will be used against you...
Posts: 26,199