A Parting Gift

As soon as the final whistle was blown in Denver, the Chiefs and the Broncos found each other headed to the same zip code – the off-season. To say their football calendars were filled with disappointing moments would be an understatement and both teams are aware that changes must be necessary if they want to improve. But compared with their Blue and Orange counterparts, the members of the Red and Gold already hold an advantage. In successfully completing the final leg of their schedule at Denver’s expense, the Chiefs pulled off their most important trick of the season:

They finished out their program on the highest possible note.

On Sunday, after going winless in Invesco Field in eight previous tries, the Chiefs not only defeated the Broncos they absolutely trounced them. For all the embarrassments that Kansas City had historically suffered in the Rockies due to its inability to stop the run, the team finally stood up to give the Broncos a taste of their own medicine. By exorcizing their demons, avenging the humiliating loss of a month ago and eliminating their bitter rivals from playoff contention the Arrowhead Ones hit a trifecta that will set them up for success in the near future.

That’s not an overstatement.

All wins achieved on the gridiron are special and none should be undervalued. Each one costs a great deal of time and effort, and they must be relished from the minute that they are accomplished — especially if they only come every once in a while. But for transcendental purposes, the real value of a specific conquest can be truly appreciated when it serves as validation of a particular mindset.

Again, this is not to undermine their importance, but unlike the triumphs against the Redskins, the Raiders and the Steelers, the victory obtained in Colorado will stand the test of time (at least until next September), and will undeniably constitute the Chiefs’ highlight of the ‘09 season. Why? Because the execution displayed on the field was genuinely a reflection of the approach taken towards this contest.

Even though its group was shorthanded, there was no doubt that Denver was going to show up and contend. After all, the game versus K.C. had a substantial meaning. A playoff berth was at stake and that was reason enough to compete. That post-season dreams were out of the question the objective for the Chiefs was simpler. They switched gears with the expressed intent of channeling their energies to fulfill the most basic principles. With a degrading five-game losing streak still hanging from their backs, they entrusted their last showing of the season directly in the reins of the greatest motor of them all – dignity. And that proved to be a sound move. Once you let pride to be involved in any struggle, you’ll pretty much strip yourself to the very core for everybody to see your true colors. Style will give way to substance, fundamentals will be reinforced, and sheer determination will drive you straight to your goals.

Therefore, it was only fitting that in a game considered an afterthought by almost everybody, the Chiefs rejected the notion of rolling over. They knew that for the good of their overall psyche, they had to do better than that. To their credit, they delivered. Having said that (and again, keeping in perspective that Denver was undermanned), forget for a minute that last weekend, the Chiefs registered their highest offensive-outburst of the season (524 yards); put aside the fact that after surrendering 1,034 yards in their past five games, Kansas City’s D only allowed 84 units on the ground. Furthermore, look the other way and disregard Derrick Johnson’s two-interceptions-returned-for-TD’s outing.

Instead, take a second to appreciate that the strongest point came when Jamaal Charles, already the franchise’s record holder for most rushing yards in a game, declined to re-enter the game in order to pursue the NFL record. Make no mistake about it, Charles knew that he was within striking distance to threaten that mark, and he was positively alert that those chances arise in sporadic fashion. However, he had embraced the notion that getting respect was the Chiefs’ main target for the day, and his outstanding performance had contributed greatly to notch that very thing. There was no justifiable cause to continue beating up a dead horse (no pun intended), and consequently, the mercy shown in the closing minutes of the ballgame was the finishing touch of an encouraging road trip.

Charles conceded respect to the opponent in the same manner in which he earned it for his team, and that made for an inspiring sign. Just as he did in the more relevant episodes of the recently concluded crusade, Charles showed the way and in the process, cemented his status as the cornerstone of the Scott Pioli/Todd Haley led Kansas City Chiefs. It’s true what they say: sometimes when you have nothing to lose, you have everything to win. And yes, in hindsight, it really doesn’t get any easier than that.

When the season was about to start, nobody knew for sure what to expect from the ‘09 Chiefs. The change in administration made all of us start from scratch because we were suddenly deprived of the comfort zone supplied by the 20-year-old Peterson Era. Some were hoping for instant gratification (me), and some were expecting a rough ride. Seventeen weeks later, some glaring conclusions are at our disposal: we are conscious to the extreme that this team stills needs some direction; we cannot wait for the moment to add much-needed talent; and yet, in game No. 16, we discovered that there’s still enough pride around One Arrowhead Drive to make things work.

“The victory over the Broncos was a triumph of will over limitations, and it sure sent everybody interested in the Chiefs off for the non-football recess with a sweet taste on their mouths. By rekindling hope the organization bought itself some time to take care of the unfinished issues while keeping the flame burning. In the end, caring is the only thing that we can control and that’s undeniably something worthy on which to build on.

Will the team be able to carry the momentum to next year? Time will tell. Rest will come to an end, evaluations will begin, and sooner than we think, we’ll find out what will be in store for the 2010 campaign. New faces will arrive, old faces will say good-bye, the holdovers will be a year older than when they first started the process; and hopefully we’ll be there to witness it all.