Chiefs set for fifth Christmas Day game: A look back at previous matchups
Updated: 6:07 PM CST Dec 24, 2024
The Kansas City Chiefs will be playing their fifth Christmas Day game in franchise history on Wednesday.The Chiefs are 2-2 on Christmas Day, with all of the games being played in Kansas City.Wednesday’s game marks the first time the Chiefs will play on the road on Christmas.Here’s a look back at the team’s previous four games.Dolphins outlast Chiefs in NFL’s longest gameDecember 25, 1971The Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins played the longest game in NFL history on Christmas Day 1971, lasting 82 minutes and 40 seconds. Played at Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium, the Dolphins prevailed with a field goal in double overtime.Chiefs running back Ed Podolak had an exceptional performance, accumulating 350 all-purpose yards, a postseason record that still stands.Garo Yepremian’s 37-yard field goal in the second overtime lifted the Dolphins to a 27-24 win.Miami overcame a 10-point first-quarter deficit and matched Kansas City score-for-score to force extra time. Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick each scored rushing touchdowns for the Dolphins, while Bob Griese threw for 263 yards, including a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Marv Fleming.Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson completed 18 of 26 passes for 246 yards and a touchdown. Miami would go on to the Super Bowl, where they would lose to the Dallas Cowboys, 24-3.Chiefs edge out Raiders on Christmas DayDecember 25, 2004The game did not mean much in the standings, as both teams entered the game with a losing record.However, the game was a thriller.Lawrence Tynes’ 38-yard field goal was the final score of the game, as Kansas City won 31-30. Dante Hall’s 49-yard return following a Raiders field goal set up the game-winning kick.Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez had a big day, hauling in 11 receptions for 124 yards and two touchdowns.Behind Dontari Poe touchdown, Chiefs roll BroncosDecember 25, 2016The Chiefs would return to Arrowhead 12 years later for another Christmas Day showdown with a division rival, this time the Denver Broncos.Needing a win to keep their AFC West hopes alive, the Chiefs rolled the Broncos 33-10.Travis Kelce had a huge day with 11 receptions for 160 yards. Tyreek Hill had 95 yards on the ground and a touchdown run.But the game’s most memorable play came in the fourth quarter when defensive tackle Dontari Poe threw a touchdown pass to Demetrius Harris.It was the game’s final touchdown.Raiders leave coal in Chiefs’ stockingsDecember 25, 2023In what remains the last loss at Arrowhead Stadium the Chiefs have suffered, the Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Chiefs 20-14 in an ugly slugfest.The Raiders scored two defensive touchdowns in a matter of seconds, leading most of the game.It was a frustrating game for the Chiefs, as the Raiders did not complete a pass in the game’s second half.In a silver (and black) lining, the game proved to be a source of motivation for the Chiefs, head coach Andy Reid said during the Super Bowl run.”I think that was a good wake-up call for us,” Reid said. “They came out with great emotion. (Head Coach) Antonio (Pierce) had them ready to go.”Reid said the Raiders’ emotion in the game provided the Chiefs a wake-up call.”That emotion was the thing that jumped out at you – that they played with – I think it gave our guys a nice little – for (lack of) a better term, a wakeup call that, ‘Listen, we need to step things up here. Things aren’t just going to fall in our lap.’ We’re taking everyone’s best shot; here’s a team that went through some adversity, and they stepped up and were able to present themselves as they did. We were able to learn from it and move on,” Reid said.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —The Kansas City Chiefs will be playing their fifth Christmas Day game in franchise history on Wednesday.
The Chiefs are 2-2 on Christmas Day, with all of the games being played in Kansas City.
Wednesday’s game marks the first time the Chiefs will play on the road on Christmas.
Here’s a look back at the team’s previous four games.
Dolphins outlast Chiefs in NFL’s longest game
December 25, 1971
The Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins played the longest game in NFL history on Christmas Day 1971, lasting 82 minutes and 40 seconds.
Played at Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium, the Dolphins prevailed with a field goal in double overtime.
Chiefs running back Ed Podolak had an exceptional performance, accumulating 350 all-purpose yards, a postseason record that still stands.
Garo Yepremian’s 37-yard field goal in the second overtime lifted the Dolphins to a 27-24 win.
Miami overcame a 10-point first-quarter deficit and matched Kansas City score-for-score to force extra time.
Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick each scored rushing touchdowns for the Dolphins, while Bob Griese threw for 263 yards, including a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Marv Fleming.
Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson completed 18 of 26 passes for 246 yards and a touchdown.
Miami would go on to the Super Bowl, where they would lose to the Dallas Cowboys, 24-3.
Chiefs edge out Raiders on Christmas Day
December 25, 2004
The game did not mean much in the standings, as both teams entered the game with a losing record.
However, the game was a thriller.
Lawrence Tynes’ 38-yard field goal was the final score of the game, as Kansas City won 31-30. Dante Hall’s 49-yard return following a Raiders field goal set up the game-winning kick.
Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez had a big day, hauling in 11 receptions for 124 yards and two touchdowns.
Behind Dontari Poe touchdown, Chiefs roll Broncos
December 25, 2016
The Chiefs would return to Arrowhead 12 years later for another Christmas Day showdown with a division rival, this time the Denver Broncos.
Needing a win to keep their AFC West hopes alive, the Chiefs rolled the Broncos 33-10.
Travis Kelce had a huge day with 11 receptions for 160 yards. Tyreek Hill had 95 yards on the ground and a touchdown run.
But the game’s most memorable play came in the fourth quarter when defensive tackle Dontari Poe threw a touchdown pass to Demetrius Harris.
It was the game’s final touchdown.
Raiders leave coal in Chiefs’ stockings
December 25, 2023
In what remains the last loss at Arrowhead Stadium the Chiefs have suffered, the Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Chiefs 20-14 in an ugly slugfest.
The Raiders scored two defensive touchdowns in a matter of seconds, leading most of the game.
It was a frustrating game for the Chiefs, as the Raiders did not complete a pass in the game’s second half.
In a silver (and black) lining, the game proved to be a source of motivation for the Chiefs, head coach Andy Reid said during the Super Bowl run.
“I think that was a good wake-up call for us,” Reid said. “They came out with great emotion. (Head Coach) Antonio (Pierce) had them ready to go.”
Reid said the Raiders’ emotion in the game provided the Chiefs a wake-up call.
“That emotion was the thing that jumped out at you – that they played with – I think it gave our guys a nice little – for (lack of) a better term, a wakeup call that, ‘Listen, we need to step things up here. Things aren’t just going to fall in our lap.’ We’re taking everyone’s best shot; here’s a team that went through some adversity, and they stepped up and were able to present themselves as they did. We were able to learn from it and move on,” Reid said.
