Kansas City Chiefs fans have stuck by their favorite NFL team for years and are known as one of the best fan bases in all of sports. Which ten seasons were the best for the franchise?
The KC Chiefs have been an NFL team since 1970 and were with the AFL for seven years before that. They’re a team with an established history, and one that has some of the most dedicated fans in all of sports. Arrowhead Stadium is the loudest outdoor stadium, and Kansas City has some of the best tailgating known to man.
The 2015 season saw the Chiefs post one of their most successful seasons to date. The team went 11-5 and won a playoff game. Winning a playoff game was something that all fans wanted coming into the season, and they got just that.
By the time the Chiefs lost in the Divisional round, fans were already writing the season off as a win. Obviously the ultimate goal is to make it to the Super Bowl, but the Chiefs hadn’t experienced the taste of victory in the postseason since the 1993 season.
Twenty-two years had come and gone without this team winning a playoff game. It was rough.
Fortunately, the Chiefs finally have that monkey off their back, but it didn’t progress any in 2016. Both the 2015 and 2016 seasons make this list, but what number did it place at, and what other seasons made the list?
One last thing… Since the Kansas City Chiefs have had a storied history of blowing it in the playoffs, this list is based off of the regular season, placing in the division, and if they won a major game in the postseason.
Let’s get to it!
*This article was originally published in February of 2016 and was updated in February of 2016*
Next: Well... At least it was a good story
Honorable Mention for Best Season in Kansas City Chiefs History – 2013 (11-5; Lost in Wild Card Round)
After going 2-14 in 2012, the Kansas City Chiefs were the laughing stock of the NFL. They quickly threw out anything rotten from that season, by firing their general manager and head coach. They also released their quarterback.
The Chiefs went into rebuilding mode after 2012’s disappointing season that left fans more than pissed off. In to town came new general manager John Dorsey, who had quite the resume working with the Green Bay Packers; new head coach Andy Reid, who had just been fired from Philadelphia after 14 seasons there; and quarterback Alex Smith, whom the team traded a second round pick to San Francisco for.
Critics were on the Chiefs because they didn’t play a tough schedule and faced a lot of backup quarterbacks, but the team did something difficult by turning around an awful team and going on to be a playoff contender.
The Kansas City Chiefs had their core group in town, and now it was time to go out and redeem themselves.
Most of the time after being the first overall pick the season prior, teams struggle to get anything done in the next year. They win a few more games, but are still one of the lower teams on the totem pole.
That didn’t happen to Kansas City in 2013, as they started the season 9-0. Critics were on the Chiefs because they didn’t play a tough schedule and faced a lot of backup quarterbacks, but the team did something difficult by turning around an awful team and going on to be a playoff contender.
Once the Chiefs hit the rough patch of their schedule, however, things went downhill fast. They finished the season 2-5 and earned a five-seed in the playoffs with an 11-5 record.
Now the playoff game alone would have many counting this season out of the best Chiefs’ seasons, as they blew a 28-point lead to the Colts. What made this season so much fun was the fact that the team came back from the worst season in franchise history, and did the unthinkable – They became relevant.
Andy Reid showed he belonged in Kansas City, and this began the wonderful relationship between him and Chiefs fans.
Next: Welcome to the 90s
Tenth Best Season in Kansas City Chiefs History – 1990 (11-5; Lost in Wild Card Round)
Looking at the Kansas City Chiefs’ coaching staff in the 1990 season, it’s puzzling how the Chiefs lost in the first round of the playoffs. This was a team led by head coach Marty Schottenheimer, and also had Bill Cowher as a defensive coordinator, and notable assistants such as Bruce Arians, Tony Dungy, and Herm Edwards.
The 1990 KC Chiefs were led on offense by quarterback Steve DeBerg, who actually had himself quite the season. He started all 16 games, threw for 3,444 yards with 23 touchdowns and only four interceptions. It was his best season as a Chief.
Derrick Thomas was in his second year of the NFL, and had 20 sacks in 1990, making him one of the Chiefs’ best players that year. The defense also had guys like Albert Lewis and Kevin Ross, both cornerbacks, which made for a deadly combo in the secondary.
The Chiefs went on to an 11-5 record and earned a Wild Card berth in the playoffs that year. Once again, they failed to make an impact in the postseason, a story that Chiefs fans know all too well, as it seemed to be a theme for the team for 20 plus years.
Kansas City had a 16-3 lead in the Wild Card game against the Dolphins, but blew their 13 point lead. A long run by Christian Okoye was called back due to holding, and Nick Lowery (one of the best kickers in Chiefs history), missed a long field goal to try and take the lead late in the game.
The Chiefs had an early exit from the playoffs yet again, but the 1990 season still will go down as one of the most memorable in franchise history.
Next: Taking it back even further
Ninth Best Season in Kansas City Chiefs History – 1968 (12-2; Won AFC West; Lost Divisional Round)
The 1960s were when the Kansas City Chiefs were at their best. They had Len Dawson (known as Lenny Dawson back then) as their quarterback and the legendary Hank Stram as their head coach. What could be better for the Chiefs?
1968 was before the Chiefs won their only Super Bowl, and they were fighting hard for their first championship in 1968. Stram and company led the Chiefs to a 12-2 record and an AFC West division title.
The Chiefs saw one of their best defenses in team history in 1968 and they also saw Dawson throw for over 2,100 yards with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Robert Holmes rushed for 866 yards and seven touchdowns, and the defense had 37 total interceptions.
The Chiefs saw one of their best defenses in team history in 1968 and they also saw Dawson throw for over 2,100 yards with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
This was a year in which the Chiefs had star players like Bobby Bell, Ed Budde, Buck Buchanan, Jim Lynch, Willie Lanier, Jerry Mays, Johnny Robinson, Jan Stenerud, and Emmitt Thomas on their roster, some of whom would go on to the Hall of Fame, or at least the Chiefs Hall of Fame.
After their division title, the Chiefs sorely disappointed in the playoffs. There were no Wild Card games in the 60s, instead the Chiefs went right into the divisional round, where they were blown out by the Oakland Raiders by a score of 41-6.
Despite the bad ending, the 1968 season was one of the best in Chiefs history, and allowed the guys to get motivated for the result they’d see at the end of the 1969 season (more on that later).
Next: A newbie, but a goody
Eighth Best Season in Kansas City Chiefs History – 2015 (11-5; Lost Divisional Round)
Now we jump back into present day and the most recent season in the books for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Andy Reid was in his third season as the Chiefs’ head coach and the team had acquired Jeremy Maclin in free agency. They also re-signed Justin Houston to a massive contract, which set the pace on the defense. It was a big offseason for Kansas City, and fans expected nothing less than a playoff appearance and (gasp) a playoff victory!
Once the Royals won the World Series, the Chiefs began to turn things around. In fact, they reeled off ten straight wins to end the regular season and had earned a playoff berth by week 16.
Well, things didn’t get off to a great start in Kansas City. The team managed to win one game in the first six weeks of the season, and things were looking grim. Two of the team’s five losses came in heartbreaking fashion, one in a last second loss to the Broncos in week two, and another in a last second loss to the Bears in week five.
The week two loss saw the Chiefs turn the ball over five times and still nearly win the game, but a costly fumble by Jamaal Charles lost it for them on Thursday Night Football for everyone to see. Speaking of Charles, he was lost for the season after week five, which sucked the life out of everyone in Chiefs Kingdom.
Kansas City was fixating mostly on the Royals anyway, who were once again running wild in the postseason. Once the Royals won the World Series, the Chiefs began to turn things around. In fact, they reeled off ten straight wins to end the regular season and had earned a playoff berth by week 16.
The Wild Card round of the playoffs brought something to Chiefs fans that they hadn’t experienced in over two decades: A playoff win. The Chiefs shut out the Houston Texans 30-0 in the first round of the playoffs, which excited fans to no end.
Unfortunately, the Chiefs lost to New England in the divisional round, but just winning a playoff game proved to be a huge accomplishment for this team, and made the 2015 season one to remember.
Sixth Best Season in Kansas City Chiefs History – 2016 (12-4; Won AFC West; Lost Divisional Round)
After winning a playoff game in the 2015 season, enthusiasm was through the roof for the KC Chiefs’ 2016 campaign. They once again started off with a bang, coming back down 24-3 to the San Diego Chargers in week one in what was the team’s biggest comeback ever.
From there, the Chiefs were 2-2 at the bye in what was looking to be the most difficult division in the entire league. Fortunately, the Chiefs got hot at the right moment, firing off five straight wins and putting them in prime position for a playoff spot.
The Chiefs had their best record since 2003 and gave Chiefs Kingdom something to cheer about.
In week 16, the KC Chiefs hosted the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day and put the beatdown on their division rivals.
Not only did the Chiefs clinch a spot in the playoffs for the second straight year, but they knocked the Broncos out of playoff contention with this win.
The 2016 season might have ended bitterly with a bad loss in the playoffs, but there was a lot of good for the team in the regular season. They swept a very difficult AFC West, won the division for the first time in seven years, and finally got over the hump when it came to their bad reputation on Sunday Night Football.
Fans tend to look at the final result for each season, which is important don’t get me wrong, but fans all had fun during the 2016 season. The Chiefs had their best record since 2003 and gave Chiefs Kingdom something to cheer about.
That put it as the sixth best season in Kansas City Chiefs history.
Next: Dominant
Sixth Best Season in Kansas City Chiefs History – 1995 (13-3; Won AFC West; Lost Divisional Round)
Twenty seasons prior to the most recent one, the Kansas City Chiefs were one of the most dominant teams in the NFL. They not only won the AFC West in 1995, but they had a 13-3 record, which earned them a one-seed in the postseason and a first-round bye.
Marty Schottenheimer was still the team’s head coach, and the Chiefs also had current Packers head coach, Mike McCarthy, on their coaching staff as well.
Steve Bono was the team’s quarterback in the 95 season, and while there were mixed thoughts on Bono, he played well during the regular season for the most part. He finished the year with 3,121 yards, 21 touchdowns, and ten interceptions.
Arguably the most memorable moment from the 1995 season, however, was the Monday Night Football match-up against the AFC West rival San Diego Chargers.
The regular season was a fun one for Chiefs fans, as the team saw a tremendous amount of success.
In week two, the Chiefs managed to defeat the New York Giants, despite not scoring a touchdown until there were only five minutes left in the game. They put another touchdown on the board to send the game to overtime, and Lin Elliott then kicked the game winning field goal in overtime.
Arguably the most memorable moment from the 1995 season, however, was the Monday Night Football match-up against the AFC West rival San Diego Chargers. The game ended up going to overtime, but rookie Tamarick Vanover was able to win it for Kansas City on an 86-yard punt return to end the game.
With their 13-3 record, the Chiefs received a first-round bye in the playoffs and welcomed the Indianapolis Colts to Arrowhead Stadium. Sadly, this is one of the worst memories in Chiefs history, as Elliott missed THREE field goal attempts in a 10-7 final.
The Chiefs wasted a major opportunity to make it to the Super Bowl in 1995, and the blame all fell on Elliott. Bono didn’t play a good game either, but Chiefs fans have a continued hatred for Elliott, even after all of these years.
Despite another early postseason exist, Vanover’s punt return on Monday Night Football, and the overall success the team saw, are reasons why 1995 will go down as one of the best seasons in Chiefs history.
Next: Two years later
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.
Betsided
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
Fourth Best Season in Kansas City Chiefs History – 2003 (13-3; Won AFC West; Lost Divisional Round)
After that fun 1997 season, the Kansas City Chiefs would not be relevant in football until the 2003 season. Dick Vermeil was in his third season as the Chiefs’ head coach and Trent Green was flourishing as the Kansas City quarterback.
The Chiefs also posed one of the best offensive lines in all of football (Brian Waters, Willie Roaf, Will Shields, John Tait, and Casey Wiegmann), which allowed Priest Holmes to run his way to 1,420 yards and 27 touchdowns. It truly was a fun time to be a Kansas City Chiefs fan.
Kansas City went 9-0 to start the season and fans were stoked. They went 8-0 at Arrowhead Stadium, which back then, it truly was a home field advantage to play there. The only three losses the Chiefs had in 2003 were to the Bengals in week 11 (24-19), the Broncos in week 14 (45-27), and to the Vikings in week 16 (45-20).
They went 8-0 at Arrowhead Stadium, which back then, it truly was a home field advantage to play there.
The Chiefs, at 13-3, went on to earn a two-seed in the playoffs and would welcome in the Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs. Of course, this is the famous “no punt” game and Peyton Manning and the Colts put up 38 points with three touchdowns and over 300 yards passing. Neither defense could do their job, but Kansas City’s faltered more, allowing Manning to have a field day.
Green simply couldn’t keep up in the shootout, and the Chiefs left the playoffs early once again.
Despite the bitter ending, 2003 was still one of the best seasons in Kansas City Chiefs history, and could be one of the best offensive lines to ever play the game.
Next: Joe's Kansas City
Third Best Season in Kansas City Chiefs History – 1993 (11-5; Won AFC West; Lost Conference Round)
Before the 1993 season began, two key free agent acquisitions made their way to Kansas City. These guys were Joe Montana, former quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, and Marcus Allen, former running back for the Oakland Raiders.
These two additions, along with a scary defense and eventual Hall of Fame guard Will Shields in his rookie year as a Chief, put Kansas City as a frontrunner to win the Super Bowl in 1993, and boy, they sure came close!
The excitement of having a guy like Montana in town made the Chiefs a fun team to watch in 1993, and this is the last time they’ve been to an AFC Championship game.
The Chiefs took part in several close games during the regular season, but still went 11-5 and advanced to the playoffs for the fourth straight season. The Chiefs won a thrilling overtime game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and also won a close one against the Houston Oilers to advance to the AFC Championship game in Buffalo.
The game against Houston, until this past season, was the last postseason game that the Kansas City Chiefs had won. They went on to lose in the AFC Championship Game against the Bills in a 30-13 rout, which began the first of many playoff losses in a row.
Both of the “new” guys made an impact for the Chiefs in 1993. Montana threw for 2,144 yards and 17 touchdowns in his inaugural season as a Chief, and Allen rushed for 764 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The excitement of having a guy like Montana in town made the Chiefs a fun team to watch in 1993, and this is the last time they’ve been to an AFC Championship game. Both of those reasons made the 1993 season one of the best in franchise history.
Next: So close
Second Best Season in Kansas City Chiefs History – 1966 (11-2; Won AFC West; Lost Super Bowl)
The Kansas City Chiefs were one of the most dominant teams in football back in the 1960s. The Chiefs became the Chiefs in 1963 (they were the Dallas Texans before that), and were a member of the AFL until the 1970 season.
With all of that said, one of the most interesting things about the Chiefs is that they were in the very first Super Bowl. While the result wasn’t on Kansas City’s side (Green Bay won 35-10), the 1966 season is still one of the team’s best. Plus, it’s pretty cool to say that our team was in the very first Super Bowl, even if they were on the wrong side of it.
The 1966 season is the second best in team history because they did something only one other Chiefs team has been able to do… Make it to the Super Bowl.
With guys like Len Dawson, Buck Buchanan, Fred Arbanas, Bobby Bell, and Otis Taylor on the roster, the Chiefs made their way to an 11-2 record and won the AFC West. They went on to defeat the Buffalo Bills in the championship round of the playoffs, but then lost in the Super Bowl.
NFL Network recently found the lost footage from Super Bowl I, pieced it together, and aired it near the end of January. It was pretty cool to watch the Chiefs in the very first Super Bowl, but they lost in blowout fashion to the Packers.
The 1966 season is the second best in team history because they did something only one other Chiefs team has been able to do… Make it to the Super Bowl. Even losing in the Super Bowl still counts as one of the best seasons because they made it as far as they could go, just couldn’t pull out the biggest game of the season.
Three years later, the Kansas City Chiefs would be on the right side of the result. Oops… I just gave away number one. Not like you didn’t see it coming though.
Next: Come on...
The Best Season in Kansas City Chiefs History – 1969 (11-3; Won Super Bowl)
This should come as a shock to no one. Winning the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal in football, and the Kansas City Chiefs have accomplished it only once, in 1969.
It’s a tad depressing that the Chiefs have only gone the entire distance only once in their 55 year existence, but it made this countdown much easier.
Winning the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal in football, and the Kansas City Chiefs have accomplished it only once, in 1969.
The 1969 season for the Chiefs saw the team being led by Hank Stram and had Len Dawson quarterbacking the offense. The defense had lights out players like Willie Lanier, Buck Buchanan, Curley Culp, Johnny Robinson, and Emmitt Thomas.
Dawson was injured throughout parts of the ’69 season, but Mike Livingston was able to keep the Chiefs in contention for the playoffs. Dawson was healthy enough to play in the Super Bowl though, and he ended up winning MVP of the big game.
The Chiefs were underdogs in the Super Bowl to the Minnesota Vikings, but their defense helped them prevail big time. They held Minnesota to only one score, and picked off Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp twice and Gary Cuozzo once (Lanier, Robinson, and Thomas all had picks).
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In a season where the Kansas City Chiefs accomplished the ultimate goal of winning the Super Bowl, and being the only Chiefs team to WIN the Super Bowl, putting the 1969 season as the best season in Chiefs history was a no brainer.
Younger fans, like myself, look back on the players on this 1969 team and wish we could have seen them play in their prime. Guys like Bobby Bell, Buck Buchanan, Curley Culp, and Willie Lanier were some of the best guys to ever put on Chiefs jerseys, and it’s an honor that they got to play for our team and for our city.
Until the Kansas City Chiefs can win another Super Bowl, the 1969 Chiefs aren’t dropping from this list.
Next: Good times
While it isn’t always sunshine and rainbows being a Kansas City Chiefs fan, the team has provided its fans with some pretty spectacular seasons.
The main thing holding the Chiefs back for the past 20 something years was their inability to win a playoff game. With that monkey finally off the back of the organization, it’s time for the 2016 Chiefs to knock the 1969 Chiefs from the top of this list.
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That’s the only way the 1969 team will be removed from the top is if another Chiefs team can win the Super Bowl. Otherwise, the 1969 team isn’t going anywhere. They not only had some of the best players in franchise history on their roster, but they also won the freakin’ Super Bowl.
Some close calls for this list include 1971, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1994, 2006, and 2010. These seasons all saw the Chiefs reaching the playoffs, but didn’t have what it takes to crack the top ten best seasons of all-time.
It was a little tough ranking these games without thinking of the final result. I tried to rank it by how well the team did in the regular season and if they were able to win the AFC West or not.
Next: 30 Greatest Chiefs of All-Time
What did you think of this list, Chiefs fans? Any seasons left off that you think should have been included?