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KC Chiefs: Ranking the best season-opening games in franchise history

By Farzin Vousoughian

Sep 12, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass as Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) defends at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass as Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) defends at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 8: Offensive lineman Willie Roaf #77 of the Kansas City Chiefs blocks against defensive lineman Courtney Brown #92 of the Cleveland Browns during a game at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 8, 2002 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Chiefs defeated the Browns 40-39. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 8: Offensive lineman Willie Roaf #77 of the Kansas City Chiefs blocks against defensive lineman Courtney Brown #92 of the Cleveland Browns during a game at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 8, 2002 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Chiefs defeated the Browns 40-39. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

4. Chiefs vs. Browns, Sept. 8, 2002

This was one of the most epic season openers in Chiefs history. Fifteen scores and nine lead changes. Players from both teams had a remarkable game. Running back Priest Holmes ran for 122 yards and four touchdowns, three of them in the fourth quarter to help the Chiefs rally after being down by 13 on two different occasions in the second half.

However, that’s not what fans from both teams remember.

Given that the game was 19 years ago, there is a good chance most fans hardly remember anything other than the final two plays of the game. On the second-to-last play, Chiefs quarterback Trent Green appeared to have been sacked. While a Browns defender hit Green, he did lateral the football to offensive guard John Tait. Tait ran the football for 28 yards to Cleveland’s 26-yard line.

Immediately after the hit on Green, Browns linebacker Dwayne Rudd celebrated, taking off his helmet and tossing it, thinking the game was over. Rudd was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, giving the Chiefs one more chance with no time left on the clock.

Chiefs kicker Morton Anderson hit a 30-yard field goal to win what might have been the most dramatic ending to a game in Chiefs history.

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