KCKingdom
Fansided

Kansas City Chiefs: Ten Best Seasons In Team History

By Leigh Oleszczak

Kansas City Chiefs fans - Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs fans - Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 13
Next
Tight end Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Kansas City Chiefs – Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport
Tight end Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Kansas City Chiefs – Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport /

Fifth Best Season in Kansas City Chiefs History – 1997 (13-3; Won AFC West; Lost Divisional Round)

Just two years later, the Kansas City Chiefs saw themselves with another successful season under their belts. Schottenheimer was still the man in Kansas City, and 1997 proved to be a season full of excitement for the Chiefs.

For one, 1997 was Tony Gonzalez‘s rookie year. The Chiefs also acquired Andre Rison, and had a terrifying defense. Basically, it was Super Bowl or bust in Kansas City.

The other interesting aspect from the 1997 season was the infamous Elvis Grbac and Rich Gannon quarterback debate. Was Grbac or Gannon the guy for the Chiefs under center?

Grbac was the Chiefs’ starter, and helped lead them to victory on Monday Night Football in the Black Hole, in only the second week of the season. Facing an 0-2 start, Grbac was able to connect with Lake Dawson for a gain of 21 yards and Brett Perriman for another gain of 20 yards to put the Chiefs in contention of pulling out a late win.

Live Feed

Jonathan Taylor Next Team Odds: 3 Contenders That Make Sense for Star Running Back
Jonathan Taylor Next Team Odds: 3 Contenders That Make Sense for Star Running Back /

Betsided

  • Should the KC Chiefs consider an extension for Harrison Butker? Arrowhead Addict
  • Danny Shelton feels ready to contribute to KC Chiefs title defense Arrowhead Addict
  • NFL Rumors: 5 Jonathan Taylor trade packages Colts can't possibly turn down FanSided
  • Caesars + FanDuel Promos: Back Chiefs in Preseason Week 3, Win $450 Bonus + $100 Off NFL Sunday Ticket! Arrowhead Addict
  • Chiefs Rumors: Pacheco injury, Shane Buechele shoutout, QB prediction FanSided

    • In the final three seconds, Grbac hit Rison for the 33-yard game winning touchdown. This was easily the best game of the season because A) it was in Oakland B) it was on Monday Night Football and C) it saved the Chiefs’ season.

    Grbac was injured midway through the season, but Gannon played admirably in his absence, and helped the team finish 12-2 the rest of the way and earn a one-seed in the playoffs. Despite Gannon’s 5-1 record as a starter, Grbac got his starting job back in the season finale, and was named the starter for the playoffs.

    The Chiefs faltered in the playoffs once again and were out in the first round, losing 15-7 to the Denver Broncos, the eventual Super Bowl champions that year.

    The killers in that game were that Gonzalez wasn’t able to get his feet in bounds for what would have given the Chiefs the lead, and Pete Stoyanovich‘s 34 yard field goal was negated by a holding call. Both of these errors cost the Chiefs the game, and possibly the Super Bowl title.

    This team was easily one of the best Kansas City Chiefs teams ever and come in at number five on this list.

    Next: No Defense

    Home/Chiefs All-Time Lists