This year has potential to top both.
Currently 9-3 and 3-0 in the division, this year has been filled with more memorable wins than any other season.
Here's my ranking of the wins, in terms of most exciting, memorable, important:
1. Broncos
2. Chargers
3. Falcons
4. Panthers
5. Raiders
6. Saints
7. Colts
8. Jets
9. Jags
What's remarkable is that a road victory over the Colts, avenging the demons of the 45-44 playoff loss is only 7th on this list. A physical, solid game over the division-leading Raiders is only 5th on this list.
The first four wins on this list were simply incredible, must-watch games. The kind of games that you're lucky to get one a year. I wrote about the Broncos last week and the Chargers back in September. I mean the Chiefs were down 17 with 11 minutes to go and threw an interception. You're not supposed to win when that happens.
I never wrote about the Panthers game but it too was incredible. The defending NFC Champs were up 17-0 in the second quarter. A KC field goal before the half made it 17-3. With 12 minutes to go in the game, the Chiefs settle for a field goal attempt on 4th and 10 from the Carolina 18. That kick turned a two possession game into a two possession game and I'm never a fan of scores like that. But Andy Reid's decision was vindicated when ERIC BERRY gets a pick six and now it's 17-14. Chiefs D forces a punt and with 5 minutes to go it looks like KC will drive for the win. They end up settling for a field goal, tying it up with 4 to play. Then you start worrying. All Carolina needs is a field goal win, they can drive down, run the clock and kick and we won't get the ball back, etc. But I didn't really need to worry. Because MARCUS PETERS will just take the ball away from you. (He also punts it costing the team 5 yards and giving me a heart attack because I thought it would be a 15-yard penalty.) So that comeback win down from 17-0 against a Super Bowl team is only 4th on the list this year. Jesus Christ.
Because today...
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Chiefs came into this one as 3.5 point underdogs against an awesome Atlanta Falcons offense in the Georgia Dome. And boy this one looked like it was getting away from the Chiefs. Atlanta was carving them up early. Julio Jones getting wide open. Moving down the field with ease on first three drives. But the Chiefs red zone defense is something special. After missing an extra point they were down 7-6. The red zone D limits the damage to 2 field goals and it's only 13-6 when it could easily be 21-6. The Chiefs offense scored on an 4th and 1 and when it's 13-13, ERIC BERRY comes up with a pick six just like he did to turn the Panthers game around. When it's 20-16, Andy Reid sends out his offense on a 4th and 1. Atlanta burns a timeout early in the 3rd quarter. After the timeout, Reid lines up for the punt...but it's a fake! TD! Holy crap. Andy Reid inherited a 2-14 football team. He's a really really good coach.
It's now 27-16. Chiefs end up getting a 4th down stop in the 3rd. Maybe Atlanta wishes they got those three points? The Falcons get the ball back and get a TD with 12 minutes left in the game. Down 22-27 they go for two. But there's 12 minutes left. They get stopped. Maybe they wish they had an extra point? Falcons force a punt and end up scoring a TD with 4 minutes left. They finally retake the lead 28-27. Now it makes sense to go for two because they're chasing the points left behind earlier.
And this happens.
ERIC BERRY! His second return of the game! He returned from freaking cancer and basically won the Panthers game and Falcons game for us. Time to get out the checkbook and pay the man.
Also, could the announcers be more clueless on that last highlight? It's a play that swung the lead and they don't give a shit or even realize that Berry's about to give the Chiefs the lead.
So now instead of needing to drive down the field for a score, the Chiefs just have to run out the clock. Made easier by the timeout Atlanta burned not being ready on the fake punt sequence. Chiefs convert two first downs and run it out. 29-28 win. Sooooo good.
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This team has an identity. They can be scored upon early, but their red zone defense is stout and rise to the occasion, especially in the second half.
They protect the ball on offense and can come up with clutch offensive drives late. The no-huddle is particularly effective.
They can count on big plays from the defense and special teams. They aren't flukes. They happen almost every game. Well coached.
And overall, they never say die. They are Royalesque with their ability to make things happen late.
Some of this defies their reputation. Critics will say this isn't a team built to make comebacks because of the Alex Smith offense isn't suited for that. And yet the comeback wins keep piling up. Critics say the Chiefs aren't a fun team to watch, because Alex Smith checks down a lot, don't have big name running backs or receivers, etc. And yet anybody that saw the Chiefs play Denver or Atlanta got their money's worth and then some. Exciting, awesome football being played.
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After their first win of the year, I bought tickets to a game. I've never been to a night game and I thought that going on Thursday would be easier on Brit since I normally have the kids for most of the weekend. So I bought tickets to the Thursday Night Game. 10-2 Raiders at 9-3 Chiefs. Arrowhead Stadium at night against the Raiders? Winner takes first place and sits in line for the bye? The place will be rocking. Holy shit. Let's keep it going.
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