A Decade Of Games – Polls Close Thursday 11 p.m.
We are in the final days of a decade of Chiefs football. From CP and Gunther, to Dick and Herm … and from Pioli and Haley there have been too many “L” and not enough “W” in the Chiefs column over these last 10 seasons.
Nevertheless, the last nine seasons and this one have had some memorable games. OK, maybe not this season, but the nine before it did. OK, maybe not 2008, but the eight before did.
We want your selection of the Game of the Decade. For the next four days you’ll have the opportunity to vote. Just attach a comment to this post and give me the game and 25 words or less on why it’s your favorite contest in this decade. After four days, we will total up the nominations, let you know what the readers picked and then I’ll give you my top games of the decade. Then, we’ll move on to coaches, players and plays of the decade.
Just to prime the pump a little bit, here are a few games that are on my list for consideration to make the games of the decade list:
- September 30, 2001, Chiefs @ Washington: Priest Holmes breaks out as an all-purpose offensive weapon against Marty Schottenheimer and the Redskins.
- October 24, 2004, Atlanta @ Chiefs: the Chiefs score an NFL record eight rushing touchdowns against the Falcons, as Holmes and Derrick Blaylock both go for four.
- October 12, 2003, Chiefs @ Green Bay: the Chiefs go to Lambeau Field and beat the Packers in overtime, Trent Green to Eddie Kennison for the winning points.
- November 23, 2006, Denver @ Chiefs: the first Thanksgiving night game gets played out in front of a national TV audience as the Chiefs beat the Broncos.
Now it’s your opportunity to vote. Don’t worry if you don’t remember exact dates. A simple Raiders game at Arrowhead in ‘04, or that Denver game when Priest Holmes did something special will suffice.
The polls are open.
I’ve got to vote for 2003 OT at Lambeau. Dante Hall has the game winner the week before in Denver to keep the chiefs undefeated, and the Green Bay victory propelled us to 9-0 just from belief!
I won’t pick the game of the decade but rather, will offer an opinion on the decade just about past and the chances of reviving this franchise.
It seems to me that if turnarounds are to happen they do so quickly with a new regime. There are varying circumstances of course, meaning that not any follow a proven template of success.
The Chiefs under Peterson/Marty turned it around within a couple of years. So did the Miami team under Parcells/Sparano. How long did it take the late 90s Rams under Vermiel and Co. to get that team to a Superbowl? Not long.
Either it’s happening and quickly or it’s the Detroit Lions of sorts, you know? Fast forward to present day and the Chiefs. The CP/Herm regime can’t be counted for the recent past malaise.
However, the Pioli/Hunt Jr./Haley administration is clearly on the clock with the arrow currently pointing DOWN. Where that arrow moves in 2010 will be most significant and will, I think, set the tone for the next Chief’s decade.
2003 Chiefs beat Denver at Arrowhead. Dante Hall has a 90 something yard punt return for a score.
ThunderChief says:
“It seems to me that if turnarounds are to happen they do so quickly with a new regime.”
“The Chiefs under Peterson/Marty turned it around within a couple of years.”
“How long did it take the late 90s Rams under Vermiel and Co. to get that team to a Superbowl? Not long.”
“Either it’s happening and quickly or it’s the Detroit Lions of sorts, you know?”
No, it doesn’t happen quickly. Or very, very rarely anyway. It may seem that way, but that’s not the case. It only seems more painful because it’s OUR team. You said yourself that Marty and Carl turned it around in a COUPLE OF YEARS. And it took Vermeil 3 years in Saint Louis. He was 5-11 in ‘97, and 4-12 in ‘98. In ‘99, they won it all.
This is only year one of Pioli and Haley.
I think the Denver win in October, 2003 was the game of the decade. Dante Hall had the 93 yard punt return and the defense had some big stops late after the punt return. The crowd in that game was like the crowds in the decade of the 90s. I hope this regime can get things turned around by 2011. Eight and eight in 2010 and playoffs in 2011 at a minimum. However, I’m not sure this will happen. They have so little talent now.
10/12/03 @ Green Bay.
Chiefs were down 31-14 going into the fourth, and had trailed by a touchdown at the half. Priest Holmes, a Jerome Woods interception, and Morton Anderson FG ties it.
Chiefs lose the flip in OT, but force the fumble – one play later, Kennison on the deep fade down the right sideline (.
Most amazing win in the best season for the Chiefs in the decade. But, the home win against Denver was awesome as well, particularly the Dante Hall punt return to win it.
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There were so many good games in the fist half of this decade that its hard to remember them all, much less choose one. I really enjoyed the Atlanta game where we had eight rushing touchdowns. The game against the Packers was a real heart stopper. But the game in 2003 against Denver has to be tops because anytime you rob them of a win, its as sweet as it gets.
During last years Superbowl, there was a stat about most new coaches win it all by the third year. After the third year there were not to many coaches that have had Superbowl wins.
Can it be an L? The 2003 playoff game against Indy.
From your list the Atlanta game where Waters won AFC Offensive player of the week honors.
Not on your list the 2003 at Baltimore game.
I have to pick the 2006 Thanksgiving game against the Broncos with Dante’ Hall’s magical game against the Broncos in 2006 a close 2nd.
Hey Bob, every day you review all the games that have ever been played on that day. What if you place them in the history category whereby they are organized by year, first game to last of that year. Then make them so a fan can review every game played for that year. It would allow a question like the ones about games, players, and coaches of this decade a little easier to review and answer.
xyz I agree with you…..I have thought aout all the wins I can and I have to say the most anticipated game I can think of was the one that we played in Arrowhead against the Colts in 2003 in the playoffs. We didn’t win true, but that was one helluva game. No punts either team and we were a phantom offensive pass interference call on Tony G from winning in my opinion. Best game of the decade….
The Thanksgiving game vs Denver. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the offensive clinic the Chiefs put on the Atlanta falcons a few years ago. Even Vick was impressed by our offensive efficiency.
The first game of the 2002 season in Cleveland. John Tait rumbled with the ball, Rudd threw his helmet, and Morten Andersen kicked the game-winner. Crazy game, and an indicator of what our defense was going to be like for the rest of the decade.
Todd is improving–calling game ..
(2) TE’s are blocking better & catching + Matt was putting the ball on line ( needs to get the ball up a little higher to give it a chance to fall , not sip ) ON long pass plays .
Defence is really showing huge improvements .
# 24 and his gang are going to someday be great !!!!!!!!!!
I love what # 45 & 87 are becomming–( 2 Tony G.’s ) + they are starting block Dam+ good .
Hallie & Jackson are leading this to a higher level .
It’s like turning a coner , when they do , winning WILL ~ #1 Become easy #2 FUN !!!
Write in: Chiefs beat Colts in October 2004.
What was the game Dante had his multiple returns for touchdowns??? I got hammered that game and forgot, ha. jk
WIN: Chiefs 40 – Packers 34, OT 10/12/03
https://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2003101208/2003/REG6/chiefs@packers/recap#tab:analyze
I was at the game. Best one I ever saw. And a beautiful, sunny Fall day up here in Wisconsin.
Chiefs were down by 14, came back and tied. Then down by 17, came back and tied. In overtime, Jerome Woods caused a fumble and we recovered. Green to Kennison, 51 yards, TD, game over, Chiefs 6-0, good night everybody. Lambeau Field practically deflated.
And Dante Hall was one kicker’s hand away from getting his 5th return for a touchdown in a row.
PLACE: Win over Denver the previous week with Dante Hall’s 93 yard punt return.
SHOW: Win over Atlanta with 8 Chiefs rushing touchdowns against one of the top rushing defenses. Vick never got anything going as he was contained well.
Big Jim in Wisconsin
I would say opening day 2002 when we played Cleveland and won 40-39 when Morten Anderson kicked the winning FG with no time left on the clock because Rudd threw his helmet when he thought the game was over. I remember a big day for Priest Holmes and Trent Green that day. All offense and no defense.
LJ haters may not like this, and im not sure if it is a game of the decade, but none the less a very memorable game. Raiders at Arrowhead. Vermiel goes for win on last play of the game. LJ over the top for a score. What a great feeling walking down the sprials chanting “raiders suck!”. Note to Haley: Thats the play to call on the 1 yard line.
The 03 Bronco game when Hall made a spectacular return to win the game when both teams were undefeated. It’s a close second between the Packer game in 2003, the Indy game in 2004, the Raider game in 2005, and the Cleveland game in 2002. It’s too bad that The Chiefs of the last few seasons haven’t produced those types of heart jumping games. Hopefully they can return to those days.
Here are a few considerations:
-The game in which Trent Green threw the longest pass in Chiefs history (99 yards to Marc Boerigter). I’m not sure of the exact date or year.
-The final game of the 2006 season against Jacksonville that helped boost the Chiefs into the playoffs. I remember Bernard Pollard blocking a punt in that one.
-The 2008 game against the Broncos when LJ ran for 198 yards and two scores.
-The 2003 Packers OT win in Lambeau. Amazing game.
-The 2006 Denver Thanksgiving game.
Bob, are you also going to have an All-Decade team?
03 chiefs beat the donkeys at arrowhead
Thanksgiving.
I was actually at that game, and my ears were ringing when I left the stadium. The crowd was very loud, the night was beautiful, and the Chiefs played some serious football.
I’d say the most impressive winning effort was the Packer game in ‘03, i remember pacing in my basement and my heart pumping like crazy, it was great. But the best game was probably the the playoff against Indy, I was there with my dad, and to him it was cold and loud, but I was so pumped I didn’t notice, didn’t sit down the whole game either. That was a quiet ride home though… Biggest high in a long time was the Pittsburgh game this year, probably would’ve lasted me through the rest of the season had we not blown the next two games completely out of our hind ends, or if we could’ve finished against Buffalo. Still, I’ll bleed red and yellow till I die!
November 23rd, 2003. Chiefs 27 – Raiders 24. The first time I ever visited Arrowhead Stadium.
Chiefs at Broncos, Thanksgiving 2006. First game on NFLN…that stadium was electric that night.
I think the wrong Denver game is on here personally. I thought the game in ‘05 when D. Hall had that ridiculous punt return for a TD to win the game was much better than the Thanksgiving game. Therefore, my vote goes for the OT game against GB. We were undefeated then too. Lambeau field, Green to Kennison… amazing.
Ok, so I didn’t read the rules before I posted. I thought the four at the top were my choices. So, I take back my vote for the GB game and instead vote for the game in ‘05 against Denver. D. Hall’s punt return was exceptional. It seemed like everyone in that stadium was literally jumping up and down in celebration.
My vote is for the 2003 win at home over Denver. Both Denver and KC were 4-0, and Dante’s amazing late punt return (although helped by an official missing a block in the back) put the Chiefs in control of the division.
Thanksgiving game 2006! That has been my favorite game. A close second is the 2006 Chargers game at Arrowhead. I was setting directly behind the game winning field goal.
Atlanta @ Chiefs, 2004. That’s the first game that jumped to my mind. Thanksgiving 2006 is a close second.
The Thanksgiving game was very special.