Arrowhead Addict
FanSided

The most memorable Kansas City Chiefs games of Christmas past

By Jordan Mannix

BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 1, 1967: Head coach Hank Stram of the Kansas City Chiefs is carried from the field after the AFL Championship Game on January 1, 1967 against the Buffalo Bills at War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo, New York. JV00318 (Photo by: John Vawter Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 1, 1967: Head coach Hank Stram of the Kansas City Chiefs is carried from the field after the AFL Championship Game on January 1, 1967 against the Buffalo Bills at War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo, New York. JV00318 (Photo by: John Vawter Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
Chiefs, Jets
FLUSHING, NY – DECEMBER 20: Len Dawson #16 of the Kanbsas City Chiefs passing against the New York Jets in the AFL Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Shea Stadium on December 20, 1969 in Flushing, New York. The Chiefs defeated the Jets 13-6. (Photo by Herb Scharfman/Sports Imagery/Getty Images) /

12/20/1969 – Chiefs 13, Jets 6

The 1969 Kansas City Chiefs were coming off a great regular season in 1968, but a disappointing loss in the 1968 playoffs to their rivals in the Oakland Raiders. 1969 brought with it unfinished business, and a desire for revenge.

In order to achieve that revenge, the Chiefs had to travel to Shea Stadium to take on the defending champion New York Jets and their host of future hall of famers. The Chiefs had one of the best offenses and defenses in the league, and had manhandled the Jets only a few weeks earlier in the regular season.

This contest would look far different than the first. Early in the fourth quarter the Chiefs had only mustered six points to the Jets three.  The defense found themselves in dire straits on their own one yard line, committing a devastating pass interference penalty a play earlier to give the Jets prime field position for the go-ahead score.

Whether it was Yuletide magic that favored the Chiefs, or simply Lady Luck, the defense was able to stop Broadway Joe and the Jets on three consecutive downs to force a field goal. The offense would deliver in kind on the following drive, scoring a back-breaking touchdown in only two plays.

To this day, this remains one of the most important games and important series in franchise history. After defeating the Jets, the Chiefs went on to exact revenge on the Raiders for the AFL Championship and dominate the highly-favored Minnesota Vikings for the team’s first of two Super Bowls.

Home/Chiefs All-Time Lists