1981 Kansas City Chiefs season

1981 Kansas City Chiefs season
Owner	Lamar Hunt
General manager	Jim Schaaf
Head coach	Marv Levy
Home field	Arrowhead Stadium
Results
Record	9–7
Division place	3rd AFC West
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	5 RB Joe Delaney DE Art Still CB Gary Green S Gary Barbaro K Nick Lowery
AP All-Pros	1 K Nick Lowery (2nd team)

The 1981 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's 12th season in the National Football League and 22nd overall. They improved from 1980 from an 8–8 record to a 9–7 record (their first winning season in 8 years) but missing the playoffs for the tenth consecutive season.

Bill Kenney began the 1981 season as the club's starting quarterback and directed the Chiefs to a 6–2 start, including a 37–33 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on Opening Day. 2nd round draft choice, running back Joe Delaney electrified the club's offense by rushing for 1,121 yards, a team single-season record at the time. He was named the AFC's Rookie of the Year and became the first running back to represent the franchise in the Pro Bowl. Delaney registered a 193-yard performance in a 23–10 victory against the Oilers on November 15, the best single-game total ever amassed by a Kansas City rookie.

Owning an 8–4 record with four games remaining, the Chiefs were poised to make the playoffs for the first time in 10 years before hitting a three-game losing skid. Bill Kenney missed the club's final three contests due to injury as Steve Fuller temporarily reclaimed the starting quarterback position and guided the club to a 10–6 win at Minnesota, in the final contest played at Metropolitan Stadium. With the Chiefs winning the game, Vikings fans began dismembering the stadium as early as the second half—taking seats, pieces of the scoreboard and even chunks of sod as souvenirs. The victory assured the Chiefs of a 9–7 record, the club's first winning mark since 1973 as coach Marv Levy increased the club's victory total for a third consecutive year. Inspired by the Washington Redskins's "Hail to the Redskins," Levy penned a fight song for the Chiefs called "Give a Cheer for Kansas City" which never caught on.

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1981 NFL draft

1981 Kansas City Chiefs draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1	14	Willie Scott	Tight end	South Carolina
2	41	Joe Delaney *	Running back	Northwestern State
3	70	Marvin Harvey	Tight end	Southern Mississippi
3	75	Roger Taylor	Offensive tackle	Oklahoma State
3	78	Lloyd Burruss *	Defensive back	Maryland
4	97	Ron Washington	Wide receiver	Arizona State
5	124	Todd Thomas	Center	North Dakota
6	153	Dock Luckie	Defensive tackle	Florida
7	180	Billy Jackson	Running back	Alabama
8	206	David Dorn	Wide receiver	Rutgers
9	237	Anthony Vereen	Defensive back	Southeastern Louisiana
10	262	Les Studdard	Center	Texas
11	289	Frank Case	Defensive end	Penn State
12	319	Bob Gagliano	Quarterback	Utah State
Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Personnel

Staff

1981 Kansas City Chiefs staff

Front office Founder – Lamar Hunt President – Jack Steadman Vice President and General Manager – Jim Schaaf Director of Player Personnel – Les Miller Assistant Director of Player Personnel – J. D. Helm Head coaches Head Coach – Marv Levy Offensive coaches Quarterbacks and Receivers – Kay Dalton Offensive Backs – Bobby Ross Tight Ends – Frank Gansz Offensive Line – Tom Bresnahan

Defensive coaches Defensive Coordinator – Rod Rust Defensive Line – Don Lawrence Linebackers – Ted Cottrell Defensive Backs – Walt Corey Special teams coaches Kicking Teams – Frank Gansz Strength and conditioning Strength and Conditioning – Rick Abernethy

Roster

1981 Kansas City Chiefs roster

Quarterbacks (QB)  4 Steve Fuller 11 Bob Gagliano  9 Bill Kenney Running backs (RB) 30 Curtis Bledsoe 37 Joe Delaney 21 Clark Gaines 48 James Hadnot FB 43 Billy Jackson 22 Ted McKnight 39 Rick Moser 40 Mike Williams Wide receivers (WR) 88 Carlos Carson 89 Henry Marshall 80 James Murphy KR 87 Stan Rome 86 J. T. Smith PR Tight ends (TE) 85 Ed Beckman 84 Al Dixon 80 Bubba Garcia 83 Marvin Harvey 81 Willie Scott

Offensive linemen (OL) 66 Brad Budde G 65 Tom Condon G 77 Charlie Getty T 60 Matt Herkenhoff T 70 Jim Rourke G 58 Jack Rudnay C 73 Bob Simmons G 76 Roger Taylor T 62 Todd Thomas Defensive linemen (DL) 99 Mike Bell DE 95 Frank Case DE 75 Sylvester Hicks DE 91 Ken Kremer 71 Dave Lindstrom DT 74 Dino Mangiero DT 61 Don Parrish NT 67 Art Still DE

Linebackers (LB) 57 Jerry Blanton ILB 56 Phil Cancik 52 Thomas Howard, Sr. 51 Charles Jackson OLB 55 Dave Klug 54 Frank Manumaleuga 63 John Olenchalk LS 53 Whitney Paul OLB 50 Cal Peterson 59 Gary Spani ILB Defensive backs (DB) 26 Gary Barbaro FS 34 Lloyd Burruss SS 42 M. L. Carter CB 20 Deron Cherry S 41 Herb Christopher S 46 Paul Dombroski CB 24 Gary Green CB 44 Eric Harris CB 31 Will Lewis CB Special teams  7 Jeff Gossett P  1 Bob Grupp P  8 Nick Lowery K

Reserve 35 Horace Belton RB (IR) -- James Black DE (IR) -- David Cunningham RB (IR) -- Jeff Davis TE (IR) -- Lance Madison WR (IR) 64 Les Studdard G (IR) -- George Stewart G (IR) -- Ron Washington WR (IR) Rookies in italics Source

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
1	August 7	at Washington Redskins	L 10–16	0–1	RFK Stadium	32,488	Recap
2	August 15	Chicago Bears	W 13–0	1–1	Arrowhead Stadium	41,099	Recap
3	August 22	St. Louis Cardinals	L 3–16	1–2	Arrowhead Stadium	42,550	Recap
4	August 28	at Miami Dolphins	L 7–31	1–3	Miami Orange Bowl	41,290	Recap

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
1	September 6	at Pittsburgh Steelers	W 37–33	1–0	Three Rivers Stadium	53,305	Recap
2	September 13	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	W 19–10	2–0	Arrowhead Stadium	50,555	Recap
3	September 20	San Diego Chargers	L 31–42	2–1	Arrowhead Stadium	63,866	Recap
4	September 27	at Seattle Seahawks	W 20–14	3–1	Kingdome	59,255	Recap
5	October 4	at New England Patriots	L 17–33	3–2	Schaefer Stadium	55,931	Recap
6	October 11	Oakland Raiders	W 27–0	4–2	Arrowhead Stadium	76,543	Recap
7	October 18	Denver Broncos	W 28–14	5–2	Arrowhead Stadium	74,672	Recap
8	October 25	at Oakland Raiders	W 28–17	6–2	Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum	42,914	Recap
9	November 1	at San Diego Chargers	L 20–22	6–3	Jack Murphy Stadium	51,307	Recap
10	November 8	Chicago Bears	L 13–16 (OT)	6–4	Arrowhead Stadium	60,605	Recap
11	November 15	Houston Oilers	W 23–10	7–4	Arrowhead Stadium	73,984	Recap
12	November 22	Seattle Seahawks	W 40–13	8–4	Arrowhead Stadium	49,002	Recap
13	November 26	at Detroit Lions	L 10–27	8–5	Pontiac Silverdome	76,735	Recap
14	December 6	at Denver Broncos	L 13–16	8–6	Mile High Stadium	74,744	Recap
15	December 13	Miami Dolphins	L 7–17	8–7	Arrowhead Stadium	57,407	Recap
16	December 20	at Minnesota Vikings	W 10–6	9–7	Metropolitan Stadium	41,110	Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	10	3	10	14	37
Steelers	6	13	7	7	33

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Date: September 6
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Cloudy, 69 °F (21 °C)
• Game attendance: 53,305
• Referee: Jim Tunney
• TV announcers (NBC): Bob Costas and Bob Trumpy
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter PIT – Lynn Swann 18-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (kick failed, wide right), 6:11. Steelers 6–0. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 0:31. KC – Henry Marshall 48-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 2:14. Chiefs 7–6. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:57. KC – Nick Lowery 35-yard field goal, 0:08. Chiefs 10–6. Drive: 4 plays, –2 yards, 0:54. Second quarter PIT – Franco Harris 7-yard run (kick failed, wide right), 5:32. Steelers 12–10. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 2:50. PIT – Franco Harris 1-yard run (David Trout kick), 1:10. Steelers 19–10. Drive: 5 plays, 48 yards, 0:54. KC – Nick Lowery 40-yard field goal, 0:00. Steelers 19–13. Drive: 5 plays, 47 yards, 1:10. Third quarter KC – Carlos Carson 53-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 13:13. Chiefs 20–19. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 1:47. PIT – Greg Hawthorne 1-yard run (David Trout kick), 9:27. Steelers 26–20. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 3:46. KC – Nick Lowery 42-yard field goal, 3:21. Steelers 26–23. Drive: 3 plays, 8 yards, 1:36. Fourth quarter KC – Ted McKnight 3-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 14:07. Chiefs 30–26. Drive: 7 plays, 38 yards, 3:24. PIT – Jim Smith 41-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (David Trout kick), 7:12. Steelers 33–30. Drive: 4 plays, 74 yards, 2:02. KC – Tom Howard 65-yard fumble return (Nick Lowery kick), 1:59. Chiefs 37–33. Top passers KC – Bill Kenney – 14/26, 242 yards, 2 TD, INT PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 21/36, 319 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Top rushers KC – Ted McKnight – 17 rushes, 59 yards, TD PIT – Franco Harris – 19 rushes, 70 yards, 2 TD Top receivers KC – Henry Marshall – 4 receptions, 89 yards, TD PIT – John Stallworth – 6 receptions, 107 yards

Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Buccaneers	7	3	0	0	10
Chiefs	7	3	3	6	19

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: September 13
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Clear, 82 °F (28 °C)
• Game attendance: 50,555
• Referee: Fred Wyant
• TV announcers (CBS): Dick Stockton and Jim Hill
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter KC – Ted McKnight 8-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 12:43. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 14 yards, 0:43. TB – James Wilder 2-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick), 2:08. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 59 yards, 2:57. Second quarter TB – Garo Yepremian 44-yard field goal, 13:09. Buccaneers 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 34 yards, 2:53. KC – Nick Lowery 20-yard field goal, 5:30. Tied 10–10. Drive: 5 plays, 19 yards, 3:29. Third quarter KC – Nick Lowery 20-yard field goal, 7:06. Chiefs 13–10. Drive: 14 plays, 74 yards, 7:54. Fourth quarter KC – Nick Lowery 42-yard field goal, 9:52. Chiefs 16–10. Drive: 11 plays, 47 yards, 6:30. KC – Nick Lowery 41-yard field goal, 2:00. Chiefs 19–10. Drive: 7 plays, 34 yards, 3:45. Top passers TB – Doug Williams – 20/43, 294 yards KC – Bill Kenney – 12/25, 99 yards Top rushers TB – Ricky Bell – 8 rushes, 9 yards KC – Joe Delaney – 13 rushes, 57 yards Top receivers TB – Kevin House – 5 receptions, 87 yards KC – Carlos Carson – 2 receptions, 35 yards

Week 3: vs. San Diego Chargers

Week 3: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	14	14	7	7	42
Chiefs	7	7	14	3	31

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: September 20
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Clear, 80 °F (27 °C)
• Game attendance: 63,866
• Referee: Ben Dreith
• TV announcers (NBC): Mike Adamle and Rocky Bleier
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter KC – Ted McKnight 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 9:12. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 44 yards, 5:48. SD – Kellen Winslow 13-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick), 4:13. Tied 7–7. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 2:58. SD – James Brooks 29-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick), 0:33. Chargers 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 47 yards, 1:36. Second quarter SD – Chuck Muncie 1-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick), 6:14. Chargers 21–7. Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 4:51. SD – Eric Sievers 12-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick), 2:09. Chargers 28–7. Drive: 1 play, 12 yards, 0:05. KC – Al Dixon 7-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 1:19. Chargers 28–14. Drive: 5 plays, 76 yards, 0:50. Third quarter KC – Ted McKnight 3-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 10:38. Chargers 28–21. Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 3:55. SD – Chuck Muncie 3-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick), 7:42. Chargers 35–21. Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, 2:56. KC – Billy Jackson 4-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 3:25. Chargers 35–28. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:17. Fourth quarter KC – Nick Lowery 37-yard field goal, 10:07. Chargers 35–31. Drive: 7 plays, 27 yards, 3:43. SD – Gary Johnson 5-yard interception return (Rolf Benirschke kick), 1:53. Chargers 42–31. Top passers SD – Dan Fouts – 22/43, 284 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT KC – Bill Kenney – 22/41, 303 yards, TD, 5 INT Top rushers SD – Chuck Muncie – 17 rushes, 93 yards, 2 TD KC – Joe Delaney – 9 rushes, 66 yards Top receivers SD – Kellen Winslow – 6 receptions, 96 yards, TD KC – J. T. Smith – 9 receptions, 140 yards

Week 4: at Seattle Seahawks

Week 4: Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	7	13	0	0	20
Seahawks	0	7	7	0	14

at Kingdome, Seattle, Washington

• Date: September 27
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
• Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
• Game attendance: 59,255
• Referee: Tom Dooley
• TV announcers (NBC): Phil Stone and Gene Washington
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter KC – Ted McKnight 2-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 9:56. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 5:04. Second quarter KC – Bill Kenney 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 13:41. Chiefs 14–0. Drive: 12 plays, 50 yards, 6:17. KC – Nick Lowery 30-yard field goal, 6:40. Chiefs 17–0. Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 5:01. KC – Nick Lowery 38-yard field goal, 5:28. Chiefs 20–0. Drive: 4 plays, –5 yards, 0:59. SEA – Sam McCullum 11-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 1:58. Chiefs 20–7. Drive: 9 plays, 83 yards, 3:30. Third quarter SEA – Sherman Smith 2-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 11:01. Chiefs 20–14. Drive: 8 plays, 51 yards, 3:50. Fourth quarter No scoring plays. Top passers KC – Bill Kenney – 16/25, 239 yards SEA – Jim Zorn – 31/47, 308 yards, TD Top rushers KC – Joe Delaney – 15 rushes, 45 yards SEA – Jim Zorn – 4 rushes, 48 yards Top receivers KC – J. T. Smith – 5 receptions, 81 yards SEA – David Hughes – 12 receptions, 103 yards

Week 5: at New England Patriots

Week 5: Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	7	0	3	7	17
Patriots	7	7	10	9	33

at Schaefer Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

• Date: October 4
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, cool, 57 °F (14 °C)
• Game attendance: 55,931
• Referee: Fred Silva
• TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and John Brodie
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter NE – Don Hasselbeck 13-yard pass from Matt Cavanaugh (John Smith kick), 9:09. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 45 yards, 4:52. KC – James Hadnot 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 3:27. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 5:42. Second quarter NE – Matt Cavanaugh 8-yard run (John Smith kick), 6:48. Patriots 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 17 yards, 2:12. Third quarter KC – Nick Lowery 35-yard field goal, 11:36. Patriots 14–10. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:31. NE – John Smith 50-yard field goal, 6:57. Patriots 17–10. Drive: 9 plays, 45 yards, 4:39. NE – Tony Collins 13-yard run (John Smith kick), 3:59. Patriots 24–10. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 1:52. Fourth quarter KC – Joe Delaney 18-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 14:54. Patriots 24–17. Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 4:05. NE – Stanley Morgan 66-yard pass from Andy Johnson (kick failed, wide right), 13:07. Patriots 30–17. Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 1:47. NE – John Smith 43-yard field goal, 7:36. Patriots 33–17. Drive: 6 plays, 39 yards, 3:17. Top passers KC – Bill Kenney – 9/20, 108 yards, 3 INT NE – Matt Cavanaugh – 10/19, 162 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers KC – Joe Delaney – 18 rushes, 101 yards, TD NE – Tony Collins – 19 rushes, 96 yards, TD Top receivers KC – Willie Scott – 3 receptions, 44 yards NE – Stanley Morgan – 4 receptions, 118 yards, TD

Week 6: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week 6: Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	0	0	0	0	0
Chiefs	3	7	10	7	27

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: October 11
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Clear, 69 °F (21 °C)
• Game attendance: 76,543
• Referee: Red Cashion
• TV announcers (NBC): Phil Stone and Gene Washington
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter KC – Nick Lowery 52-yard field goal, 8:39. Chiefs 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 3:33. Second quarter KC – Billy Jackson 4-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 6:28. Chiefs 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 86 yards, 3:15. Third quarter KC – Nick Lowery 25-yard field goal, 8:51. Chiefs 13–0. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:09. KC – Henry Marshall 48-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 2:37. Chiefs 20–0. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 3:33. Fourth quarter KC – J. T. Smith 9-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 10:18. Chiefs 27–0. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:27. Top passers OAK – Jim Plunkett – 12/29, 129 yards, INT KC – Bill Kenney – 16/23, 187 yards, 2 TD Top rushers OAK – Kenny King – 11 rushes, 46 yards KC – Joe Delaney – 28 rushes, 106 yards Top receivers OAK – Cliff Branch – 4 receptions, 46 yards KC – Henry Marshall – 6 receptions, 110 yards, TD

Week 7: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 7: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	0	7	7	14
Chiefs	14	0	0	14	28

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: October 18
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Clear, 55 °F (13 °C)
• Game attendance: 74,672
• Referee: Dick Jorgensen
• TV announcers (NBC): Bob Costas and Bob Trumpy
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter KC – Billy Jackson 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 8:37. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 4:45. KC – Whitney Paul 47-yard fumble return (Nick Lowery kick), 0:22. Chiefs 14–0. Second quarter No scoring plays. Third quarter DEN – Steve Watson 11-yard pass from Craig Morton (Fred Steinfort kick), 4:56. Chiefs 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:35. Fourth quarter KC – Henry Marshall 64-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 14:08. Chiefs 21–7. Drive: 3 plays, 70 yards, 0:52. DEN – Steve Watson 1-yard pass from Craig Morton (Fred Steinfort kick), 8:59. Chiefs 21–14. Drive: 12 plays, 82 yards, 5:09. KC – Joe Delaney 82-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 5:27. Chiefs 28–14. Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:41. Top passers DEN – Craig Morton – 25/38, 342 yards, 2 TD, INT KC – Bill Kenney – 6/12, 100 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers DEN – Dave Preston – 13 rushes, 39 yards KC – Joe Delaney – 21 rushes, 149 yards, TD Top receivers DEN – Rick Upchurch – 5 receptions, 138 yards KC – Henry Marshall – 3 receptions, 80 yards, TD

Week 8: at Oakland Raiders

Week 8: Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	0	7	21	28
Raiders	7	10	0	0	17

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

• Date: October 25
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 61 °F (16 °C)
• Game attendance: 42,914
• Referee: Bob Frederic
• TV announcers (NBC): Merle Harmon and George Kunz
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter OAK – Morris Bradshaw 6-yard pass from Marc Wilson (Chris Bahr kick), 12:34. Raiders 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 6 yards, 0:04. Second quarter OAK – Marc Wilson 3-yard run (Chris Bahr kick), 11:09. Raiders 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards, 2:32. OAK – Chris Bahr 51-yard field goal, 0:00. Raiders 17–0. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 1:15. Third quarter KC – Billy Jackson 29-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 0:29. Raiders 17–7. Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 2:16. Fourth quarter KC – Billy Jackson 3-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 7:20. Raiders 17–14. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 4:19. KC – Billy Jackson 3-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 1:57. Chiefs 21–17. Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 4:22. KC – Gary Spani 91-yard fumble return (Nick Lowery kick), 0:24. Chiefs 28–17. Top passers KC – Bill Kenney – 8/25, 132 yards, 3 INT OAK – Marc Wilson – 19/47, 251 yards, TD, 4 INT Top rushers KC – Steve Fuller – 3 rushes, 43 yards OAK – Kenny King – 11 rushes, 49 yards Top receivers KC – Henry Marshall – 5 receptions, 85 yards OAK – Cliff Branch – 4 receptions, 86 yards

Week 9: at San Diego Chargers

Week 9: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	7	0	7	6	20
Chargers	7	12	0	3	22

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: November 1
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
• Game weather: Clear and sunny, 81 °F (27 °C)
• Game attendance: 51,307
• Referee: Gene Barth
• TV announcers (NBC): Phil Stone and Gene Washington
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter SD – Chuck Muncie 1-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick), 10:19. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:34. KC – James Hadnot 2-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 3:36. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 6:43. Second quarter SD – Chuck Muncie 4-yard run (kick failed, wide right), 4:10. Chargers 13–7. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 2:32. SD – Rolf Benirschke 29-yard field goal, 0:30. Chargers 16–7. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 1:26. SD – Rolf Benirschke 19-yard field goal, 0:00. Chargers 19–7. Drive: 2 plays, 32 yards, 0:19. Third quarter KC – Billy Jackson 2-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 11:55. Chargers 19–14. Drive: 4 plays, 56 yards, 1:39. Fourth quarter KC – Nick Lowery 21-yard field goal, 14:50. Chargers 19–17. Drive: 13 plays, 78 yards, 7:15. KC – Nick Lowery 32-yard field goal, 6:32. Chiefs 20–19. Drive: 10 plays, 49 yards, 6:25. SD – Rolf Benirschke 22-yard field goal, 0:13. Chargers 22–20. Drive: 14 plays, 70 yards, 6:04. Top passers KC – Bill Kenney – 13/22, 190 yards, TD SD – Dan Fouts – 24/39, 297 yards, INT Top rushers KC – Joe Delaney – 23 rushes, 117 yards SD – Chuck Muncie – 16 rushes, 63 yards, 2 TD Top receivers KC – J. T. Smith – 5 receptions, 92 yards SD – Chuck Muncie – 6 receptions, 71 yards

Week 10: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 10: Chicago Bears at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Bears	7	3	0	3	3	16
Chiefs	3	3	0	7	0	13

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: November 8
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Showers, 56 °F (13 °C)
• Game attendance: 60,605
• Referee: Jim Tunney
• TV announcers (CBS): Dick Stockton and Johnny Morris
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter CHI – Rickey Watts 12-yard pass from Vince Evans (John Roveto kick), 13:43. Bears 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 7 yards, 0:12. KC – Nick Lowery 34-yard field goal, 8:28. Bears 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 5:15. Second quarter CHI – John Roveto 24-yard field goal, 7:06. Bears 10–3. Drive: 5 plays, 8 yards, 3:21. KC – Nick Lowery 33-yard field goal, 0:00. Bears 10–6. Drive: 3 plays, 8 yards, 0:33. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter CHI – John Roveto 23-yard field goal, 12:47. Bears 13–6. Drive: 15 plays, 67 yards, 8:02. KC – Henry Marshall 1-yard pass from Steve Fuller (Nick Lowery kick), 0:44. Tied 13–13. Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 1:30. Overtime CHI – John Roveto 22-yard field goal, 1:53. Bears 16–13. Drive: 12 plays, 59 yards, 5:30. Top passers CHI – Vince Evans – 7/30, 77 yards, TD KC – Steve Fuller – 7/20, 88 yards, TD, INT Top rushers CHI – Walter Payton – 21 rushes, 70 yards KC – Billy Jackson – 14 rushes, 56 yards Top receivers CHI – Ken Margerum – 4 receptions, 48 yards KC – Henry Marshall – 4 receptions, 48 yards, TD

Week 11: vs. Houston Oilers

Week 11: Houston Oilers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	0	3	0	7	10
Chiefs	7	3	7	6	23

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: November 15
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Clear, 61 °F (16 °C)
• Game attendance: 73,984
• Referee: Jerry Markbreit
• TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Len Dawson
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter KC – Joe Delaney 6-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 1:55. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 38 yards, 2:11. Second quarter KC – Nick Lowery 37-yard field goal, 11:04. Chiefs 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 14 yards, 3:14. HOU – Toni Fritsch 21-yard field goal, 0:02. Chiefs 10–3. Drive: 11 plays, 69 yards, 3:13. Third quarter KC – Billy Jackson 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 7:26. Chiefs 17–3. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 3:06. Fourth quarter HOU – Ken Burrough 50-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Toni Fritsch kick), 9:36. Chiefs 17–10. Drive: 2 plays, 60 yards, 0:39. KC – Nick Lowery 42-yard field goal, 5:13. Chiefs 20–10. Drive: 6 plays, 50 yards, 4:23. KC – Nick Lowery 38-yard field goal, 1:56. Chiefs 23–10. Drive: 5 plays, 14 yards, 2:58. Top passers HOU – Ken Stabler – 12/22, 194 yards, TD, 2 INT KC – Bill Kenney – 6/11, 39 yards Top rushers HOU – Earl Campbell – 21 rushes, 99 yards KC – Joe Delaney – 29 rushes, 193 yards, TD Top receivers HOU – Ken Burrough – 4 receptions, 80 yards, TD KC – J. T. Smith – 1 reception, 9 yards

Week 12: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week 12: Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	3	3	7	0	13
Chiefs	3	17	7	13	40

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: November 22
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Clear, 53 °F (12 °C)
• Game attendance: 49,002
• Referee: Fred Silva
• TV announcers (NBC): Mike Adamle and Dave Rowe
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter SEA – Efrén Herrera 26-yard field goal, 7:57. Seahawks 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 7:03. KC – Nick Lowery 37-yard field goal, 2:46. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 5:11. Second quarter KC – Nick Lowery 24-yard field goal, 11:16. Chiefs 6–3. Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 3:44. SEA – Efrén Herrera 30-yard field goal, 2:51. Tied 6–6. Drive: 15 plays, 74 yards, 8:25. KC – J.T. Smith 14-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 1:07. Chiefs 13–6. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 1:44. KC – Lloyd Burruss 46-yard interception return (Nick Lowery kick), 0:31. Chiefs 20–6. Third quarter KC – Billy Jackson 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 9:40. Chiefs 27–6. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:20. SEA – Steve Largent 30-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 5:16. Chiefs 27–13. Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 4:24. Fourth quarter KC – Willie Scott 2-yard pass from Bill Kenney (kick failed, wide right), 14:57. Chiefs 33–13. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 5:19. KC – Billy Jackson 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 9:36. Chiefs 40–13. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 4:18. Top passers SEA – Jim Zorn – 19/30, 258 yards, TD, INT KC – Bill Kenney – 17/22, 181 yards, 2 TD Top rushers SEA – Theotis Brown – 16 rushes, 63 yards KC – James Hadnot – 10 rushes, 106 yards Top receivers SEA – Steve Largent – 4 receptions, 63 yards, TD KC – J. T. Smith – 7 receptions, 70 yards, TD

Week 13: at Detroit Lions

Thanksgiving Day games

Week 13: Kansas City Chiefs at Detroit Lions – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	7	0	3	0	10
Lions	7	10	3	7	27

at Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan

• Date: November 26
• Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST
• Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
• Game attendance: 76,735
• Referee: Fred Wyant
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter DET – David Hill 10-yard pass from Eric Hipple (Eddie Murray kick), 11:51. Lions 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 73 yards, 3:09. KC – Billy Jackson 4-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 6:35. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 5:16. Second quarter DET – Eddie Murray 34-yard field goal, 13:53. Lions 10–7. Drive: 8 plays, 23 yards, 3:00. DET – Freddie Scott 40-yard pass from Eric Hipple (Eddie Murray kick), 4:29. Lions 17–7. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 1:31. Third quarter KC – Nick Lowery 33-yard field goal, 8:47. Lions 17–10. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 6:13. DET – Eddie Murray 46 yard field goal 3:13. Lions 20–10. Drive: 11 plays, 44 yards, 5:34. Fourth quarter DET – Billy Sims 4 yard run (Eddie Murray kick), 2:46. Lions 27–10. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 4:42. Top passers KC – Steve Fuller – 10/17, 131 yards DET – Eric Hipple – 10/22, 132 yards, 2 TD Top rushers KC – Joe Delaney – 17 rushes, 77 yards DET – Billy Sims – 20 rushes, 64 yards, TD Top receivers KC – J. T. Smith – 5 receptions, 61 yards DET – Freddie Scott – 3 receptions, 71 yards, TD

Week 14: at Denver Broncos

Week 14: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	6	7	0	13
Broncos	7	9	0	0	16

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

• Date: December 6
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
• Game weather: Mostly sunny, 68 °F (20 °C)
• Game attendance: 74,744
• Referee: Red Cashion
• TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and John Brodie
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter DEN – Rob Lytle 2-yard run (Fred Steinfort kick), 12:03. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 83 yards, 2:57. Second quarter DEN – Fred Steinfort 23-yard field goal, 14:16. Broncos 10–0. Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 6:03. DEN – Larry Canada 2-yard run (kick aborted), 5:37. Broncos 16–0. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 5:57. KC – Nick Lowery 43-yard field goal, 1:04. Broncos 16–3. Drive: 11 plays, 55 yards, 4:33. KC – Nick Lowery 45-yard field goal, 0:30. Broncos 16–6. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:22. Third quarter KC – James Hadnot 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 1:48. Broncos 16–13. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:37. Fourth quarter No scoring plays. Top passers KC – Steve Fuller – 18/34, 261 yards, INT DEN – Craig Morton – 16/24, 281 yards Top rushers KC – Joe Delaney – 11 rushes, 36 yards DEN – Dave Preston – 13 rushes, 38 yards Top receivers KC – Al Dixon – 6 receptions, 86 yards DEN – Steve Watson – 2 receptions, 103 yards

Week 15: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week 15: Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Dolphins	7	3	0	7	17
Chiefs	0	7	0	0	7

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: December 13
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Overcast, 41 °F (5 °C)
• Game attendance: 57,407
• Referee: Pat Haggerty
• TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert and Len Dawson
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIA – Tony Nathan 5-yard run (Uwe von Schamann kick), 2:36. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 2:23. Second quarter KC – Al Dixon 2-yard pass from Steve Fuller (Nick Lowery kick), 12:00. Tied 7–7. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 5:36. MIA – Uwe von Schamann 39-yard field goal, 5:06. Dolphins 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 47 yards, 6:54. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter MIA – Andra Franklin 1-yard run (Uwe von Schamann kick), 14:13. Dolphins 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards, 4:05. Top passers MIA – Don Strock – 8/16, 109 yards, 2 INT KC – Steve Fuller – 21/37, 206 yards, TD, INT Top rushers MIA – Andra Franklin – 17 rushes, 40 yards, TD KC – Steve Fuller – 8 rushes, 42 yards Top receivers MIA – Tommy Vigorito – 3 receptions, 42 yards KC – J. T. Smith – 5 receptions, 99 yards

Week 16: at Minnesota Vikings

Week 16: Kansas City Chiefs at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	3	0	7	0	10
Vikings	3	0	3	0	6

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

• Date: December 20
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Cloudy, 21 °F (−6 °C)
• Game attendance: 41,110
• Referee: Tom Dooley
• TV announcers (NBC): Merle Harmon and Jim Turner
• Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter MIN – Rick Danmeier 43-yard field goal, 10:33. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 14 plays, 50 yards, 4:27. KC – Nick Lowery 30-yard field goal, 1:12. Tied 3–3. Drive: 4 plays, 9 yards, 1:41. Second quarter No scoring plays. Third quarter KC – Stan Rome 15-yard pass from Steve Fuller (Nick Lowery kick), 10:03. Chiefs 10–3. Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 4:57. MIN – Rick Danmeier 33-yard field goal, 4:30. Chiefs 10–6. Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 1:15. Fourth quarter No scoring plays. Top passers KC – Steve Fuller – 12/16, 145 yards, TD, INT MIN – Tommy Kramer – 17/38, 177 yards, INT Top rushers KC – Billy Jackson – 25 rushes, 102 yards MIN – Tony Galbreath – 11 rushes, 55 yards Top receivers KC – Carlos Carson – 3 receptions, 78 yards MIN – Tony Galbreath – 7 receptions, 60 yards

Standings

AFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
San Diego Chargers(3)	10	6	0	.625	6–2	8–4	478	390	W2
Denver Broncos	10	6	0	.625	5–3	7–5	321	289	L1
Kansas City Chiefs	9	7	0	.563	5–3	7–5	343	290	W1
Oakland Raiders	7	9	0	.438	2–6	5–7	273	343	L2
Seattle Seahawks	6	10	0	.375	2–6	6–8	322	388	W1