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The 1969 Kansas City Chiefs season was the team's tenth, their seventh in Kansas City, and the final season of the American Football League (AFL). It resulted in an 11–3 regular season record and three postseason road victories, including a 23–7 victory in Super Bowl IV over the NFL's heavily favored Minnesota Vikings.
After two close losses to division rival Oakland in the regular season, the visiting Chiefs upset the Raiders in the final AFL Championship Game, claiming their third AFL title. The Chiefs were led by head coach Hank Stram, quarterback Len Dawson, and a powerful defense led by Bobby Bell, Willie Lanier, Buck Buchanan, Emmitt Thomas, Johnny Robinson, and Curley Culp. The Chiefs' defense became the fourth defense in the history of pro football to lead its league in fewest rushing yards, fewest passing yards and fewest total yards.[1] The Chiefs were the second AFL team to win the Super Bowl and last AFL team to do so before the AFL-NFL Merger in the following season.
The season was marred not only by an injury to quarterback Len Dawson, but also controversy surrounding Dawson and his purported involvement in a sports gambling ring. Back-up quarterback Mike Livingston and the Chiefs' stellar defense led the Chiefs back to the Super Bowl, this time, to win it all.
Along with owner Lamar Hunt, nine future Hall of Famers were members of the 1969 Chiefs, including QB Len Dawson, LB Willie Lanier, LB Bobby Bell, DT Buck Buchanan, DT Curley Culp, CB Emmitt Thomas, S Johnny Robinson, K Jan Stenerud, and head coach Hank Stram.
In 2006, the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs were ranked as the 18th greatest Super Bowl champions on the NFL Network's documentary America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions, the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs, with team commentary from Len Dawson, Willie Lanier and Jim Lynch, and narrated by Martin Sheen.[2]
In 2007, ESPN.com ranked the 1969 Chiefs as the seventh-greatest defense in NFL history,[3] noting "Hank Stram's 'Triple Stack' defense, which gave the linebackers lots of room to roam, was superb, holding five opponents to fewer than 10 points and giving up an average of less than two touchdowns a game.... Then they got serious. Against the [defending] Super Bowl champion Jets in the AFL divisional playoff game at Shea Stadium, the Chiefs held on for a 13–6 victory, thanks to a remarkable three-play goal line stand that stifled the Jets on the one. After losing twice to the Raiders during the regular season, the Chiefs allowed a single touchdown, in the first quarter, to win the AFL title over Oakland 17–7. The Chiefs defense then stifled the Vikings in the Super Bowl, allowing only two rushing first downs and picking off three passes in the fourth quarter to win 23–7. Total points against the Chiefs in the playoffs: 20." Kansas City is the only team in the Super Bowl era to win the title without allowing as much as 10 points in any postseason game.
The Chiefs did not return to or win the Super Bowl again until Super Bowl LIV in the 2019 season.
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Offseason
1969 AFL draft
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In the first round of the 1969 AFL draft, the Chiefs selected cornerback Jim Marsalis from Tennessee State. Marsalis became an immediate starter at cornerback alongside veteran Emmitt Thomas. He was the only Chiefs rookie to start for the 1969 team, as Ed Podolak and Bob Stein were benched, and Morris Stroud and Jack Rudnay sat out the season with injuries.
Personnel
Staff
Template:NFL final staff
Roster
Template:NFL final roster
Preseason
Regular season
The Chiefs began the regular season with four consecutive road games for the only time in team history, due to a scheduling conflict with the Kansas City Royals about usage of Municipal Stadium.[4]
After a decisive 27–9 win at San Diego (9/14), the club posted a 31–0 shutout at Boston (9/21), but QB Len Dawson sustained a knee injury against the Patriots. The once-optimistic picture for the Chiefs went from bad to worse the following week when backup QB Jacky Lee went down with a broken ankle in a 24–19 loss at Cincinnati (9/28). That injury left the team's most crucial position in the hands of second-year QB Mike Livingston, who took just five snaps as a rookie in ‘68.[4]
However, Livingston engineered a five-game winning streak, while getting plenty of help from the club's defense. The team's home opener at Municipal Stadium was played in a daylong deluge referred to as a "frog-strangler" by Chiefs radio broadcaster Bill Grigsby. The Chiefs and Oilers combined for 14 fumbles in a 24–0 Kansas City victory (10/12).[4]
Dawson returned to the starting lineup in a 27–3 win vs. San Diego (11/9) and guided the club to three wins in the season's next four games. Denver Broncos coach Lou Saban was infuriated following the Chiefs 31–17 win vs. Denver (11/27). Trailing 24–17 late in the game, Denver attempted an onside kick that was recovered by LB Bobby Bell, who promptly returned that kick for a 53-yard TD. Mike Livingston started the following week vs. Buffalo (12/7) for an again-injured Dawson, who returned for the regular-season finale at Oakland (12/13). A 10–6 loss vs. the Raiders gave the Chiefs an 11–3 record, good for second in the division behind Oakland (12–1–1).[4]
Schedule
| style="Template:NFLPrimaryStyle"| Week
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style="Template:NFLPrimaryStyle"| Date
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style="Template:NFLPrimaryStyle"| Opponent
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style="Template:NFLPrimaryStyle"| Result
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style="Template:NFLPrimaryStyle"| Record
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style="Template:NFLPrimaryStyle"| Game Site
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style="Template:NFLPrimaryStyle"| Attendance
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style="Template:NFLPrimaryStyle"| Recap
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| 1
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September 14
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at San Diego Chargers
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W 27–9
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1–0
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San Diego Stadium
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47,988
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Recap
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| 2
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September 21
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at Boston Patriots
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W 31–0
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2–0
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Alumni Stadium
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22,002
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Recap
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| 3
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September 28
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at Cincinnati Bengals
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L 19–24
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2–1
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Nippert Stadium
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27,812
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Recap
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| 4
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October 5
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at Denver Broncos
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W 26–13
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3–1
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Mile High Stadium
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50,564
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Recap
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| 5
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October 12
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Houston Oilers
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W 24–0
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4–1
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Municipal Stadium
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45,805
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Recap
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| 6
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October 19
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Miami Dolphins
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W 17–10
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5–1
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Municipal Stadium
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49,809
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Recap
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| 7
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October 26
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Cincinnati Bengals
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W 42–22
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6–1
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Municipal Stadium
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50,934
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Recap
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| 8
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November 2
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at Buffalo Bills
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W 29–7
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7–1
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War Memorial Stadium
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45,844
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Recap
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| 9
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November 9
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San Diego Chargers
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W 27–3
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8–1
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Municipal Stadium
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51,104
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Recap
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| 10
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November 16
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at New York Jets
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W 34–16
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9–1
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Shea Stadium
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63,849
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Recap
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| 11
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November 23
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Oakland Raiders
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L 24–27
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9–2
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Municipal Stadium
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51,982
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Recap
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| 12
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November 27
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Denver Broncos
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W 31–17
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10–2
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Municipal Stadium
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48,773
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Recap
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| 13
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December 7
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Buffalo Bills
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W 22–19
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11–2
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Municipal Stadium
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47,112
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Recap
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| 14
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Template:Dow tooltip
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at Oakland Raiders
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L 6–10
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11–3
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Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
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54,443
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Recap
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| Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
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Game summaries
Week 1: at San Diego Chargers
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
- KC – Wendell Hayes 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 10–3.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 17-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–3.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- KC – Otis Taylor 9-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 27–9.
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Top passers
- KC – Len Dawson – 19/34, 224 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
- SD – John Hadl – 16/29, 224 yards, 4 INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
- KC – Otis Taylor – 5 receptions, 112 yards, 2 TD
- SD – Lance Alworth – 4 receptions, 94 yards
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Week 2: at Boston Patriots
Week 2: Kansas City Chiefs at Boston Patriots – Game summary
at Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
- Date: September 21
- Game time: 1:30 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Script error: No such module "convert".
- Game attendance: 22,002
- Referee: John McDonough
- TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph and George Ratterman
- Recap
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
- KC – Mike Garrett 4-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 21–0.
Third quarter
- KC – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 28–0.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 16-yard field goal. Chiefs 31–0.
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
- KC – Len Dawson – 12/20, 140 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
- BOS – Mike Taliaferro – 12/23, 77 yards
Top rushers
- KC – Mike Garrett – 14 rushes, 79 yards, TD
- BOS – Jim Nance – 7 rushes, 22 yards
Top receivers
- KC – Otis Taylor – 3 receptions, 58 yards, TD
- BOS – Carl Garrett – 5 receptions, 20 yards
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Week 3: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 3: Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
at Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Date: September 28
- Game time: 1:30 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Script error: No such module "convert".
- Game attendance: 27,812
- Referee: Walt Fitzgerald
- TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph and Elmer Angsman
- Recap
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
- KC – Gloster Richardson 11-yard pass from Jacky Lee (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 13–7.
- CIN – Horst Mühlmann 38-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–10.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
- KC – Mike Livingston – 9/17, 99 yards
- CIN – Sam Wyche – 9/14, 128 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
- KC – Robert Holmes – 17 rushes, 77 yards
- CIN – Jess Phillips – 11 rushes, 58 yards, TD
Top receivers
- KC – Otis Taylor – 6 receptions, 72 yards
- CIN – Bob Trumpy – 4 receptions, 100 yards, TD
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Week 4: at Denver Broncos
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
- DEN – Bobby Howfield 13-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 12-yard field goal. Chiefs 6–3.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 54-yard field goal. Chiefs 9–3.
Third quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 11-yard field goal. Chiefs 12–3.
Fourth quarter
- KC – Warren McVea 12-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 19–3.
- KC – Jim Kearney 60-yard interception return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 26–3.
- DEN – Bobby Howfield 47-yard field goal. Chiefs 26–6.
- DEN – Al Denson 22-yard pass from Pete Liske (Bobby Howfield kick). Chiefs 26–13.
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Top passers
- KC – Mike Livingston – 14/27, 214 yards
- DEN – Pete Liske – 13/22, 149 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
- KC – Otis Taylor – 3 receptions, 71 yards
- DEN – Floyd Little – 8 receptions, 70 yards
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Week 5: vs. Houston Oilers
| Game information
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First quarter
- KC – Mike Garrett 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–0.
- KC – George Daney 5-yard fumble return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 14–0.
Second quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 30-yard field goal. Chiefs 17–0.
- KC – Robert Holmes 33-yard pass from Tom Flores (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 24–0.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
- HOU – Jim Beirne – 4 receptions, 47 yards
- KC – Robert Holmes – 4 receptions, 58 yards, TD
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Week 6: vs. Miami Dolphins
Week 6: Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: October 19
- Game time: 12:30 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Script error: No such module "convert".
- Game attendance: 49,809
- Referee: Bob Finley
- TV announcers (NBC): Jim Simpson and Al DeRogatis
- Recap
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
- KC – Mike Garrett 9-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 14–0.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 44-yard field goal. Chiefs 17–0.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
- MIA – Bob Griese – 21/45, 192 yards, 3 INT
- KC – Mike Livingston – 17/34, 308 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
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Week 7: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 7: Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: October 26
- Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Script error: No such module "convert".
- Game attendance: 50,934
- Referee: Ben Dreith
- TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph and Elmer Angsman
- Recap
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- KC – Mike Garrett 10-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 28–12.
- CIN – Harry Gunner 70-yard interception return (Horst Mühlmann kick). Chiefs 28–19.
Fourth quarter
- CIN – Horst Mühlmann 27-yard field goal. Chiefs 28–22.
- KC – Warren McVea 80-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 35–22.
- KC – Goldie Sellers 21-yard special teams fumble return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 42–22.
|
Top passers
- CIN – Sam Wyche – 11/21, 154 yards, TD
- KC – Mike Livingston – 15/25, 208 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
- CIN – Sam Wyche – 3 rushes, 32 yards
- KC – Warren McVea – 17 rushes, 141 yards, TD
Top receivers
- CIN – Bob Trumpy – 3 receptions, 74 yards, TD
- KC – Mike Garrett – 5 receptions, 101 yards, TD
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Week 8: at Buffalo Bills
Week 8: Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
at War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo, New York
- Date: November 2
- Game time: 1:30 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Script error: No such module "convert".
- Game attendance: 45,844
- Referee: Jack Vest
- TV announcers (NBC): Jim Simpson and Al DeRogatis
- Recap
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 34-yard field goal. Bills 7–6.
Fourth quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 37-yard field goal. Chiefs 9–7.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 44-yard field goal. Chiefs 12–7.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 18-yard field goal. Chiefs 15–7.
- KC – Mike Garrett 34-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 22–7.
- KC – Mike Garrett 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 29–7.
|
Top passers
- KC – Len Dawson – 7/14, 94 yards
- BUF – Dan Darragh – 10/25, 132 yards, TD, 4 INT
Top rushers
- KC – Mike Garrett – 14 rushes, 71 yards, 2 TD
- BUF – Wayne Patrick – 12 rushes, 66 yards
Top receivers
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|
Week 9: vs. San Diego Chargers
Week 9: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: November 9
- Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Script error: No such module "convert".
- Game attendance: 51,982
- Referee: Bob Finley
- TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis
- Recap
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
- KC – Mike Garrett 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–3.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 30-yard field goal. Chiefs 10–3.
Third quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 47-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–3.
- KC – Frank Pitts 50-yard pass from Warren McVea (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 20–3.
Fourth quarter
- KC – Warren McVea 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 27–3.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
- SD – Russ Smith – 8 rushes, 30 yards
- KC – Mike Garrett – 9 rushes, 46 yards, TD
Top receivers
- SD – Rick Eber – 3 receptions, 66 yards
- KC – Frank Pitts – 4 receptions, 99 yards, TD
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|
Week 10: at New York Jets
Week 10: Kansas City Chiefs at New York Jets – Game summary
at Shea Stadium, New York, New York
- Date: November 16
- Game time: 1:30 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Script error: No such module "convert".
- Game attendance: 63,849
- Referee: Ben Dreith
- TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy and Kyle Rote
- Recap
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
- NYJ – George Sauer 40-yard pass from Joe Namath (Jim Turner kick). Tied 10–10.
- KC – Otis Taylor 7-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 17–10.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 38-yard field goal. Chiefs 20–10.
Third quarter
- KC – Warren McVea 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 27–10.
Fourth quarter
- KC – Otis Taylor 10-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 34–10.
- NYJ – Don Maynard 10-yard pass from Joe Namath (run failed). Chiefs 34–16.
|
Top passers
- KC – Len Dawson – 23/38, 285 yards, 3 TD, INT
- NYJ – Joe Namath – 24/40, 327 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
- KC – Warren McVea – 15 rushes, 102 yards, TD
- NYJ – Emerson Boozer – 6 rushes, 45 yards
Top receivers
- KC – Otis Taylor – 7 receptions, 96 yards, 3 TD
- NYJ – Don Maynard – 9 receptions, 137 yards, TD
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Week 11: vs. Oakland Raiders
Week 11: Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: November 23
- Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Script error: No such module "convert".
- Game attendance: 51,982
- Referee: John McDonough
- TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy and Kyle Rote
- Recap
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- OAK – George Blanda 14-yard field goal. Raiders 20–17.
- OAK – Dan Conners 75-yard interception return (George Blanda kick). Raiders 27–17.
Fourth quarter
- KC – Frank Pitts 42-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Raiders 27–24.
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Top passers
- OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 9/24, 142 yards, TD
- KC – Len Dawson – 13/24, 269 yards, 2 TD, 5 INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
- OAK – Warren Wells – 3 receptions, 59 yards, TD
- KC – Otis Taylor – 6 receptions, 103 yards, TD
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Week 12: vs. Denver Broncos
Thanksgiving Day games
Week 12: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
- KC – Warren McVea 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 10–0.
- DEN – Bobby Howfield 42-yard field goal. Chiefs 10–3.
- KC – Warren McVea 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 17–3.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- KC – Emmitt Thomas 45-yard interception return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 24–3.
- DEN – Fran Lynch 1-yard run (Bobby Howfield kick). Chiefs 24–10.
- DEN – Wandy Williams 1-yard run (Bobby Howfield kick). Chiefs 24–17.
- KC – Bobby Bell 53-yard kickoff return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 31–17.
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Top passers
Top rushers
- DEN – Fran Lynch – 12 rushes, 65 yards, TD
- KC – Mike Garrett – 20 rushes, 88 yards
Top receivers
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Week 13: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 13: Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: December 7
- Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Script error: No such module "convert".
- Game attendance: 47,112
- Referee: Jack Vest
- TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy and Kyle Rote
- Recap
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 52-yard field goal. Chiefs 10–3.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 8-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–3.
Third quarter
- BUF – Bruce Alford 34-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–6.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 47-yard field goal. Chiefs 16–6.
- BUF – Marlin Briscoe 17-yard pass from Jack Kemp (Bruce Alford kick). Chiefs 16–13.
Fourth quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 20-yard field goal. Chiefs 19–13.
- BUF – O. J. Simpson 32-yard run (pass failed). Tied 19–19.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 25-yard field goal. Chiefs 22–19.
|
Top passers
- BUF – Jack Kemp – 18/32, 165 yards, TD
- KC – Mike Livingston – 13/23, 142 yards
Top rushers
- BUF – O. J. Simpson – 11 rushes, 62 yards, TD
- KC – Mike Garrett – 18 rushes, 67 yards
Top receivers
- BUF – Bobby Crockett – 4 receptions, 50 yards
- KC – Mike Garrett – 4 receptions, 43 yards
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Week 14: at Oakland Raiders
| Game information
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
- KC – Len Dawson – 2/6, 47 yards
- OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 11/20, 188 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
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Standings
Template:1969 AFL Western standings
Postseason
Schedule
Game summaries
Divisional Playoffs: at New York Jets
| Game information
|
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 25-yard field goal. Chiefs 6–3.
Fourth quarter
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Top passers
- KC – Len Dawson – 12/27, 201 yards, TD
- NYJ – Joe Namath – 14/40, 169 yards, 3 INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
In the 1969 AFL Divisional Playoff Game at the New York Jets (12/20), Kansas City rode its dominating defense which produced a crucial goal-line stand en route to a 13–6 win over the defending Super Bowl champions to set up a rematch with the Raiders in the final AFL Championship Game.[4]
Script error: No such module "labelled list hatnote". Chiefs went to the AFL Championship to the Oakland Raiders and win 17-7. And win Super Bowl IV to the Minnesota Vikings 23-7.
AFL Championship Game: at Oakland Raiders
Template:Main article
AFL Championship Game: Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
- Date: January 4
- Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Script error: No such module "convert".
- Game attendance: 54,443
- Referee: Jack Vest
- TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy and Kyle Rote
- Recap
| Game information
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<templatestyles src="Col-begin/styles.css"/>
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First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 22-yard field goal. Chiefs 17–7.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
- KC – Wendell Hayes – 8 rushes, 35 yards, TD
- OAK – Hewritt Dixon – 12 rushes, 36 yards
Top receivers
- KC – Otis Taylor – 3 receptions, 62 yards
- OAK – Charlie Smith – 8 receptions, 86 yards
|
|
The Kansas City Chiefs won the last championship of the AFL, 17–7, by slowing down the Oakland passing attack and capitalizing on big plays. The Raiders looked on their way to their third win of the year against Kansas City when Charlie Smith scored on a three-yard run in the first quarter. But then, Len Dawson who had thrown seven incompletions in a row, hit Frank Pitts for a 41-yard gain to the Raiders' 1. Three plays later, Wendell Hayes blasted in for the tying touchdown. Dawson again pulled out a big play with the game tied, 7–7, in the third quarter. Facing a third-and-14 at the Kansas City 2, Dawson scrambled out of trouble and fired a 35-yard pass to Otis Taylor. That play was the key to a 94-yard drive that culminated in a five-yard scoring run by Robert Holmes. The Chiefs turned the ball over inside their own 30 three times in the fourth quarter, but each time they intercepted Raider quarterback Daryle Lamonica, who was playing despite having severely jammed his throwing hand against the helmet of Aaron Brown early in the final period. Chiefs go to Super Bowl IV and win to the Minnesota Vikings 23-7.
Super Bowl IV: vs. (NFL) Minnesota Vikings
Template:Main article
| Game information
|
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First quarter
Second quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 32-yard field goal. Chiefs 6–0.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 25-yard field goal. Chiefs 9–0.
- KC – Mike Garrett 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 16–0.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Top passers
- MIN – Joe Kapp – 16/25, 183 yards
- KC – Len Dawson – 12/17, 142 yards, TD
Top rushers
- MIN – Bill Brown – 6 rushes, 26 yards
- KC – Mike Garrett – 11 rushes, 39 yards, TD
Top receivers
- MIN – John Henderson – 7 receptions, 111 yards
- KC – Otis Taylor – 6 receptions, 81 yards, TD
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The fourth annual AFL-NFL Championship Game, now officially known as the "Super Bowl", was played on January 11, 1970, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. The AFL champion Kansas City Chiefs defeated the NFL champion Minnesota Vikings, 23–7.
Even though the Vikings were 13-point favorites coming into the game, the Chiefs defense dominated the game by limiting the Minnesota offense to only 67 rushing yards, forcing 3 interceptions, and recovering 2 fumbles. The victory by the AFL evened the Super Bowl series with the NFL at two games apiece.
Kansas City's Len Dawson became the fourth consecutive winning quarterback to be named Super Bowl MVP. He completed 12 of 17 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown, with 1 interception. Dawson also recorded 3 rushing attempts for 11 yards.
The Vikings began the game by taking the opening kickoff and marching from their own 20-yard line to the Kansas City 39-yard line, but were forced to punt. The Chiefs then drove 42 yards in 8 plays to score on kicker Jan Stenerud's Super Bowl record 48-yard field goal. (According to Dawson, the Vikings were shocked that the Chiefs would attempt a 48-yard field goal. "Stenerud was a major factor", he said.)[5] Minnesota then managed to reach midfield on their next drive, but were forced to punt again.
On the first play of their ensuing drive, Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson threw a 20-yard completion to wide receiver Frank Pitts, followed by a 9-yard pass to wide receiver Otis Taylor. Four plays later, on the first play of the second quarter, a pass interference penalty on Vikings defensive back Ed Sharockman nullified Dawson's third down incompletion and gave Kansas City a first down at the Minnesota 31-yard line. However, on third down and 4 at the 25-yard line, Vikings cornerback Earsell Mackbee broke up a deep pass intended for Taylor. Stenerud then kicked another field goal to increase the Chiefs lead to 6–0.
On the second play of their next drive, Vikings wide receiver John Henderson fumbled the ball after catching a 16-yard reception, and Chiefs defensive back Johnny Robinson recovered the ball at the Minnesota 46-yard line. But the Vikings made key defensive plays. First defensive tackle Alan Page tackled running back Mike Garrett for a 1-yard loss, and then safety Paul Krause intercepted Dawson's pass at the 7-yard line on the next play.
However, the Vikings also could not take advantage of the turnover. Quarterback Joe Kapp's two incompletions and a delay of game penalty forced Minnesota to punt from their own 5-yard line. The Chiefs then took over at the Viking 44-yard line after punter Bob Lee's kick only went 39 yards. A 19-yard run by Pitts on a reverse play then set up another field goal by Stenerud to increase the Chiefs' lead to 9–0.
On the ensuing kickoff, Vikings returner Charlie West fumbled the ball, and Kansas City's Remi Prudhomme recovered it at Minnesota 19-yard line. Defensive tackle Jim Marshall sacked Dawson for an 8-yard loss by on the first play of the drive, but then a 13-yard run by running back Wendell Hayes and a 10-yard reception by Taylor gave the Chiefs a first down at the 4-yard line. Two plays later, running back Mike Garrett's 5-yard touchdown run gave Kansas City a 16–0 lead. The play call was “65 Toss Power Trap”, which became a classic play call in NFL history. It was heard because head coach Hank Stram was wearing a microphone for NFL Films, making him the first person to ever do that.[2]
West returned the ensuing kickoff 27 yards to the 32-yard line. Then on the first play of the drive, Kapp completed a 27-yard pass to Henderson to advance the ball to the Kansas City 41-yard line. However, on the next 3 plays, Kapp threw 2 incompletions and was sacked by defensive tackle Buck Buchanan for an 8-yard loss. Then on fourth down, kicker Fred Cox's 56-yard field goal attempt fell short of the goal posts.
In the third quarter, the Vikings managed to build some momentum. After forcing the Chiefs to punt on the opening possession of the second half, Minnesota drove 69 yards in 10 plays to score on fullback Dave Osborn's 4-yard rushing touchdown to cut the lead, 16–7. However, Kansas City responded on their next possession with a 6-play, 82-yard drive to score on Dawson's 46-yard touchdown completion to Taylor three minutes later.
The Chiefs would then go on to shut out the Vikings in the fourth quarter, forcing three interceptions on three Minnesota possessions, to clinch the 23–7 victory. The defeat was total for the Vikings, as even their "Indestructible" quarterback Joe Kapp had to be helped off the field in the fourth quarter after being sacked by Chiefs defensive lineman Aaron Brown.
Garrett was the top rusher of the game, recording 11 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown. He also caught 2 passes for 25 yards and returned a kickoff for 18 yards. Taylor was the Chiefs' leading receiver with 6 catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. Kapp finished the game with 16 of 25 completions for 183 yards, with 2 interceptions. Henderson was the top receiver of the game with 7 catches for 111 yards.
This was the last game where the winner was awarded the World Championship Game Trophy, as later that fall the trophy was renamed the Vince Lombardi Trophy due to Lombardi's death and the AFL-NFL Merger.
Honors & Awards
AFL All-Star Game
The Chiefs sent nine players to the American Football League All-Star game to represent the AFL West.[6]
References
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External links
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