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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) /
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Kansas City Chiefs, Justin Houston
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 28: Outside linebacker Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after sacking quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers during the first half of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 28, 2014 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

12/28/2014 – Chiefs 19, Chargers 7

The 2014 season, as it stands, is the least successful season for the Chiefs under Andy Reid. Even so, there were still things to celebrate that season. Justin Houston, a third round pick out of the University of Georgia in 2011, had his best season as a professional player and one of the best for an outside linebacker in the history of the NFL.

Through 15 games, Houston had destroyed NFL offensive lineman across the league for 18 sacks. Heading into the final game he trailed Chiefs Hall of Famer and all-time great Derrick Thomas for the franchise record by only two sacks. He trailed Hall of Famer Michael Strahan for the NFL record by only four-and-a-half sacks.

In order to stay in the playoff race, the Chiefs had to beat the San Diego Chargers. Houston would make sure he did his part, with his best game of the season. He seemingly willed himself to the franchise record with four sacks on the day, coming just short of the NFL record, and the Chiefs would walk away with the victory.

The 2014 season was the only one in which the Chiefs, under current head coach Andy Reid, haven’t made the playoffs in the past eight seasons. They lost one too many games, barely missing a chance at the final Wild Card spot in the NFL Playoffs. Even so, Houston’s performance that season and in this game in particular make the Chargers win one to remember.

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