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Though the Denver Broncos have only beaten the Chiefs fourteen times since 1960 when playing at Kansas City or Dallas(when the Chiefs were known as the Dallas Texans), I found it harder than I thought to select a game to relive. In a place that has been more foreboding to the Broncos than any Raider venue, it really comes down to importance. What was the most important win at the Kansas City Chiefs?
The answer has to be the only playoff match up between these two teams that has ever taken place. The year, 1997. The game, AFC Division Playoffs. Arrowhead Stadium. The rowdy crowd hungry for some orange and blue blood. Most of the nation had written the Broncos off late in the year after a late season collapse and controversial spitting incidents. What the mainstream didn't know was that there was no turmoil in Denver and after dispatching a late comeback attempt by the Jaguars the week before to finish with a dominating 4th quarter that sealed the victory the Broncos came to Kansas City with their own plans.
Arrowhead Stadium has always been the toughest place for the Broncos to play, especially late in the season. The 1997 AFC Divisional Playoff game was no different. The winner of this game was destined for greatness. Many expected a high scoring affair as both teams were considered offensive powerhouses, however, getting to the AFC Championship Game was going to take pure power and stout defense. Nothing was going to be given away freely.
Both teams were blanked in the first quarter as the game quickly turned into a slug fest. The Broncos started to put a drive together late in the second quarter and with just under two minutes left in the half Terrell Davis gutted it out for a one yard touchdown run to put Denver up 7-0.
After halftime the Chiefs were able to make some good adjustments to explode in the third quarter on two drives which netted ten points. Throughout the history of this rivalry, a 10-7 disadvantage going into the fourth quarter late in the year would have been mostly impossible to overcome. The 1997 Broncos were different; they were being carried by the wings of destiny. The Broncos finally got something going and Terrell Davis scored early in the fourth quarter to put the Broncos up 14-10. The stage was set for an incredible finish.
Elvis Grbac and the Chiefs came on strong near the end of the game, but the Broncos defense stiffened in the red zone. With 19 seconds left, a seemingly confused Chiefs offense hurried the 4th down play which result in an incomplete pass to Lake Dawson in the end zone. The Broncos sealed their first victory since 1994 and advanced to the AFC Championship game for the first time in seven years.
Runner Ups:
10/06/1974 - Broncos 17, Chiefs 14
The Broncos erase a 14-3 halftime deficit to win their first ever road game against the hated Chiefs.
9/24/1978 - Broncos 23, Chiefs 17 OT
In overtime, the Broncos run the ball an amazing twelve times during a thirteen play, sixty yard drive to win it on a touchdown.
11/12/1989 - Broncos 16, Chiefs 13
John Elway tosses a shovel pass to Steve Sewell that goes for thirty yards, setting up David Treadwell's winning kick. It would be Elway's first comeback victory at Arrowhead Stadium.
12/4/1994 - Broncos 20, Chiefs 17 OT
Backup QB, Hugh Millen, leads the Broncos to an unlikely victory over the Chiefs. Millen led the team to a late touchdown to send the game into overtime where Jason Elam was able to drill the game winner.
10/20/2002 - Broncos 37, Chiefs 34
With the Broncos down 34-20 late in the game, Brian Griese led the Broncos to fourteen unanswered points to send the game into overtime where Jason Elam would kick the game winner from twenty five yards out.