Sunday, December 2009: A New Era of Craptitude Starring Haley’s Comets
Say what you will about the 2008 contest but at least it was exciting to watch in a 38-car pileup kind of way.
What I mean is, there was scoring. Lots of it. And terrible defense.
The 2008 contest featured a guy named Tony Gonzalez catching 10 balls for like 113 yards.
This game featured some dude named Brad Cottam.
In 2009, the Chiefs and Bills both limped into their now annual matchup a combined 8-18. It was a new era for Chiefs football and by new era, I mean, the football was still crappy but there were new coaches, front office types and fewer talented players.
Todd Haley and Scott Pioli had brought their special brand of sucktitude to KC and what a glorious debut season it was. The only good thing that had happened to the Chiefs to this point in the season was that they finally realized Larry Johnson sucked and started playing Jamaal Charles. They even gave him 20 carries in this contest, which Charles turned into 143 yards and a TD.
And so of course, the Chiefs lost 16-10.
Here is how bad this one was. Matt Cassel threw for 224 yards and the Chiefs rushed for 145 yards.
Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick thew for 86 yards. 86. On 20 attempts. His leading receiver was a running back in Fred Jackson.
More fun and stomach-churning facts from that day:
1. The Chiefs gave up 200 yards rushing to the Bills. Buffalo’s backfield featured two dudes named Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch.
2. Jamaal Charles was averaging 7.1 yards per carry so Todd Haley gave Tim Castille four carries and one carry to Lance Long, who was a “receiver.”
3. Haley had Matt Cassel attempt 43 (43 f#$%ing passes!) in a game the Chiefs ended up losing by six points.
4. The Chiefs finished the season 2-14. The Bills finished 6-10. Both in last place.
Don’t worry, Chiefs fans. It gets better. Scary better.
Next: Scary Football on Halloween