For decades prior to the Patrick Mahomes era, the Chiefs were known for their playoff shortcomings. Whether it was the Lin Elliot Game, the no punt game, 38-10, or the game where they didn’t allow a touchdown and still lost, all the Chiefs seemed to do was lose.
That being said, however, there are some historic postseason moments to be found in Chiefs history. Here are some of the best playoff games in franchise history.
Honorable Mentions
- 2015-16 AFC Wild Card – Kansas City Chiefs 30, Houston Texans 0
After starting 1-5, the Chiefs rattled off 10 straight wins to finish 11-5 and secure a Wild Card berth. Heading into their matchup against the Houston Texans, the big storyline was whether or not the Chiefs could win their first playoff game since the 1993 season.
The pressure was on for Alex Smith and Andy Reid as well, as the Chiefs had blown a 38-10 lead in the playoffs just two years prior.
Right out of the gate, the Chiefs took control, with Knile Davis returning the opening kickoff 106 yards. After that, they didn’t look back, eventually beating the Texans 30-0 to win their first playoff game in 22 years.
- 2019-20 AFC Championship Game – Kansas City Chiefs 35, Tennessee Titans 24
After a thrilling comeback the week before, the Chiefs were just one win away from the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year. After falling behind 10-0 and 17-7, Mahomes and Co. turned it on again, scoring 28 straight before winning 35-24.
The celebration was unlike Arrowhead had ever seen at the time, and Chiefs fans were in disbelief that their team had actually made it to the game’s biggest stage (more on that later).
5 – 1993-94 AFC Divisional – Kansas City Chiefs 28, Houston Oilers 20
Coming into the game as underdogs and coming off of an escape the week before, many expected the Oilers to take care of the Chiefs.
The Chiefs came away with the upset, however, and advanced to their first AFC Championship Game thanks to three Joe Montana touchdown passes and a 21-point 4th quarter.
4 – 1969-70 AFL Championship – Kansas City Chiefs 17, Oakland Raiders 7
In what became the last game in AFL history, the Chiefs and Raiders renewed their young (at the time) rivalry with a trip to Super Bowl IV on the line.
The Raiders jumped out to a 7-0 lead, but the Chiefs defense didn’t allow a point the rest of the way and Kansas City won their third AFL Championship in franchise history to advance to Super Bowl IV.
3 – 2019-20 AFC Divisional – Kansas City Chiefs 51, Houston Texans 31
After making the AFC Championship the year before, expectations for the Chiefs had never been higher entering 2019. With help from Miami in week 17 and a Tennessee upset over Baltimore in the Divisional Round the day before, the stars seemed to be aligning for Kansas City to make a run at their first Super Bowl in 50 years.
Next thing you know, the Texans had a 24-0 lead 19 minutes into the Divisional round matchup between the two teams. Arrowhead was stunned, and another heartbreak seemed to be on the horizon for the Kingdom.
Then the Chiefs woke up. In less than 11 minutes, the Chiefs had taken a 28-24 lead heading into halftime. Patrick Mahomes threw for four TDs in the second quarter alone, and the script had flipped just as fast as the Texans jumped out to their lead.
Kansas City never looked back in the second half, going on to win 51-31 to advance to the AFC Championship Game.
2 – Super Bowl IV – Kansas City Chiefs 23, Minnesota Vikings 7
Even after the Jets upset the Colts in Super Bowl III, the Chiefs were still huge underdogs to the Vikings heading into the fourth Super Bowl, as many believed the Jets win was fluky and the AFL couldn’t hang with the NFL.
Much like the week prior, the Chiefs defense played outstanding, holding the Vikings to just one score in a 23-7 upset victory.
The two leagues merged following this game, marking it the last Super Bowl between an AFL and NFL champion.
1 – Super Bowl LIV – Kansas City Chiefs 31, San Francisco 49ers 20
Making the first Super Bowl in 50 years was an accomplishment in itself, but the Chiefs were able to capture the Lombardi with a stunning comeback in the final six minutes of the game.
The Chiefs were able to put 10 points on the board in the first quarter and change, but struggled for much of the game following that.
Down 20-10 and facing third-and-15 with just over seven minutes remaining, Mahomes found Tyreek Hill on the now-famous “Jet Chip Wasp” play for 44 yards, kickstarting a 21-point outburst in the final minutes and securing Kansas City’s first championship since the 1969 season.
