Building Legacy: A Chiefs changing loss

It had become known as the Miracle at the Meadowlands. Instead of taking a knee to preserve a victory for the New York Giants over the Philadelphia Eagles in November of 1978, quarterback Joe Pisarcik attempted to hand the ball off to running back Larry Csonka and proceeded to fumble the ball into the hands of the on rushing Herman Edwards, a defensive corner back for the Eagles, who took it to the house, helping his team to a 19-17 victory and vaulting them to an eventual Wild Card playoff berth.

It was an epic loss but more importantly, an epic way to lose. So much so, that the standard practice now is for quarterbacks in that situation to… take a knee.

However, neither of those teams was really headed anywhere that year or the next as the Giants finished 6-10 and Dick Vermeil’s Eagles went 9-7.

No, the Chiefs Thursday evening loss could be better off compared with what is now widely known as the Immaculate Reception game. Yes, I believe the Chiefs loss could hold that level of significance.

During the last moments of the Immaculate Reception game a Terry Bradshaw pass deflected off of a helmet and then was barely scooped up off the ground and run in for a touchdown by running back Franco Harris. No one knows if the ball hit the ground for sure because this was long before the NFL covered every inch of the field with cameras as that game took place 43 years ago, in 1972.

That legendary battle was between the emerging Pittsburgh Steelers and the already mighty Oakland Raiders. The play, and game, helped propel the Steelers into “The Team of the Decade” while the Raiders went on to win three Super Bowl of their own in the following twelve seasons.

Why should anyone equate the Immaculate Reception Game… with the Kansas City Chiefs loss on Thursday to the Denver Broncos?

Think back to 32 months ago. Just over two and one half years. It’s not enough to say the Kansas City Chiefs had a 2-14 record the previous year. Remember “Save the Chiefs?” Remember fans wearing bags on their heads? Remember offensive coordinator Brian Daboll? How about Tyson Jackson, Jalil Brown, Kendrick Lewis or Stanford Routt to name just a few defensive busts? All of them representing gaping holes in the Chiefs roster.

Now, general manager John Dorsey has done such a stellar job remaking the roster that it’s easier to envision the amount of progress which likely will be coming down the pike in the next two and one half years. But realistically, you must believe it’s coming.

In 1972, the Pittsburgh Steelers hadn’t won anything… but they were on the precipice of greatness. Their clash with Oakland was a coming of age game for the young and unproven roster from Steel town.

That’s essentially what the Chiefs are now: young and unproven. Talented? K.C has talent at oozing at almost every position much like Pittsburgh of old. Before their game with the Broncos many players were talking about this being a “special” year, a “special” group. Like many, I thought the Chiefs were on the precipice of greatness too. After stepping back from the game for a day, I still do believe this is true about the 2015 K.C. Chiefs.

In fact… the Chiefs need the Broncos. And, the Chiefs needed an epic game like that to propel them into what lies ahead. Just like Muhammad Ali needed Smokin’ Joe Frazier… the Chiefs will need the Broncos… and that game.

Then again, if these Chiefs turn out to be chumps… this game will have meant nothing. However, it’s a very difficult sell, to buy into the idea that these Chiefs are done. They’re way too talented and there are way too many games left in this season.

The loss on Thursday to Denver may also have been a great blessing in disguise.

If the Chiefs, and Andy Reid, can improve and learn from their mistakes, no small task I’m sure, then by the time these two teams clash again on November 15th in Denver, they stand an excellent chance of whipping the Broncos going away.

Next: Has Chiefs V Broncos replaced Chiefs V Raiders?