1990 Kansas City Chiefs season

The 1990 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's 21st season in the National Football League, the 28th as the Kansas City Chiefs and the 31st overall. The team improved from an 8–7–1 record to an 11–5 record and Wild Card spot in the 1991 playoffs. In Marty Schottenheimer's first playoff appearance with the Chiefs, they lost to the Miami Dolphins 17–16 in the wild-card round. Starting with the home opener, the Chiefs began an NFL-record 19 consecutive seasons with every home game sold out. The streak was finally broken in the final home game of the 2009 Kansas City Chiefs season versus Cleveland.

1990 Kansas City Chiefs season
OwnerLamar Hunt
General managerCarl Peterson
Head coachMarty Schottenheimer
Home fieldArrowhead Stadium
Results
Record11–5
Division place2nd AFC West
Playoff finishLost Wild Card Playoffs
(at Dolphins) 16–17
Pro Bowlers
AP All-Pros
5
  • T John Alt (2nd team)
  • LB Derrick Thomas (1st team)
  • CB Albert Lewis (1st team)
  • CB Kevin Ross (2nd team)
  • K Nick Lowery (1st team)

Season notes

edit

The success of the 1989 season carried into 1990, and the Chiefs put together a successful season to return to the playoffs for only the second time since 1971. The season began on August 4 when Buck Buchanan, a key ingredient of the team's 1969 Super Bowl championship season was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

On opening day, The Chiefs beat the Minnesota Vikings 24–21. On September 17, Stephone Paige catches 10 passes for 206 yards, but the Chiefs still lost to the Denver Broncos, 24–23 on Monday Night Football.

On October 14, Barry Word rushes for a team-record 200 yards against the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead. Kansas City won 43–24 to give the Chiefs a 4–2 record. Word would eventually gain 1,021 yards rushing for the season while Paige caught 65 passes for 1,021 yards. Quarterback Steve DeBerg had his best season ever as a Chief as he passed for 3,444 yards and 23 touchdowns.

On November 11, Derrick Thomas who would get 20 quarterback sacks for the year, sacked Seattle Seahawks quarterback Dave Krieg for an NFL-record seven sacks. On the game's last play, Derrick nearly had his 8th sack, but Krieg eluded him and threw a game-winning touchdown as the Seahawks won 17–16. Derrick Thomas later said, "The thing I most remember about that game, is the sack I didn't get, that's the one that still haunts me." His record of seven sacks in one game is now seen as one of NFL's most "unbreakable records".

On December 9, the Chiefs had two big fourth-down calls and scored two touchdowns. Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer let his team make two big plays that ultimately led to Kansas City's 31–20 win over the Denver Broncos, which clinched a playoff spot.

The first big play was a fourth-and-goal at the Denver 1-yard line, and Barry Word carried the ball into the end zone to give the Chiefs a 17–13 lead. The second fourth-down attempt resulted in a 27-yard touchdown pass from Steve DeBerg to Robb Thomas and put the game away in the fourth quarter. DeBerg passed for 254 yards and three touchdowns in the game. Kansas City trailed 13–10 at the half but scored 21 second-half points to take control of the game.

The win improved their record to 9–4 and control of the AFC West Race. However, the next week the Chiefs lost to Houston, putting the Raiders Back into First place. The Chiefs won their next game at San Diego to Clinch an AFC playoff spot. The Chiefs then defeated the Chicago Bears 21-19 to finish 11–5, the team's best record since 1971. The Raiders held onto first winning in the final week. Defense carried the Chiefs to the playoffs thanks to Pro Bowlers Derrick Thomas, Albert Lewis and Kevin Ross.

Next was the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Wild-Card Playoff Game, which the team led 16-3 but lost 17–16. Kicker Nick Lowery missed short on a 52-yard FG in the final seconds that would have won the game.

Offseason

edit

Draft

edit
1990 Kansas City Chiefs draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
113Percy Snow LinebackerMichigan State
240Tim Grunhard * CenterNotre Dame
496Fred Jones Wide receiverGrambling State
5124Derrick Graham GuardAppalachian State
5127Ken Hackemack Offensive tackleTexas
6152Tom Sims Defensive tacklePittsburgh
7180Dave Szott * GuardPenn State
9235Michael Owens Running backSyracuse
10263Craig Hudson Tight endWisconsin
11291Ernest Thompson Running backGeorgia Southern
12318Tony Jeffery Wide receiverSan Jose State
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[1]

Undrafted free agents

edit
1990 Undrafted Free Agents of note
PlayerPositionCollege
Bryan BarkerPunterSanta Clara
Willie DavisWide receiverCentral Arkansas

Personnel

edit

Staff

edit
1990 Kansas City Chiefs staff

Front office

  • Founder – Lamar Hunt
  • Chairman of the Board – Jack Steadman
  • President/general manager/Chief Executive Officer – Carl Peterson
  • Assistant general manager – Dennis Thum
  • Director of player personnel – Whitey Dovell

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

Roster

edit
1990 Kansas City Chiefs roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad

47 active, 8 inactive, 2 practice squad


Rookies in italics

Preseason

edit
WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendanceRecap
1August 11vs Los Angeles RamsL 3–190–1 Olympiastadion (West Berlin)55,429Recap
2August 18New York JetsL 0–200–2Arrowhead Stadium40,448Recap
3August 24at Detroit LionsL 21–350–3Pontiac Silverdome50,293Recap
4August 31Green Bay PackersW 27–141–3Arrowhead Stadium42,806Recap

Regular season

edit

Schedule

edit
WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendanceRecap
1September 9Minnesota VikingsW 24–211–0Arrowhead Stadium68,363Recap
2September 17at Denver BroncosL 23–241–1Mile High Stadium75,277Recap
3September 23at Green Bay PackersW 17–32–1Lambeau Field58,817Recap
4September 30Cleveland BrownsW 34–03–1Arrowhead Stadium75,462Recap
5October 7at Indianapolis ColtsL 19–233–2Hoosier Dome54,950Recap
6October 14Detroit LionsW 43–244–2Arrowhead Stadium74,312Recap
7October 21at Seattle SeahawksL 7–194–3Kingdome60,358Recap
8Bye
9November 4Los Angeles RaidersW 9–75–3Arrowhead Stadium70,951Recap
10November 11Seattle SeahawksL 16–175–4Arrowhead Stadium71,285Recap
11November 18San Diego ChargersW 27–106–4Arrowhead Stadium63,717Recap
12November 25at Los Angeles RaidersW 27–247–4Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum65,710Recap
13December 2at New England PatriotsW 37–78–4Foxboro Stadium26,280Recap
14December 9Denver BroncosW 31–209–4Arrowhead Stadium74,347Recap
15December 16Houston OilersL 10–279–5Arrowhead Stadium61,756Recap
16December 23at San Diego ChargersW 24–2110–5Jack Murphy Stadium45,135Recap
17December 29at Chicago BearsW 21–1011–5Soldier Field60,262Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

edit

Week 1: vs. Minnesota Vikings

edit
Week 1: Minnesota Vikings at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period1234Total
Vikings777021
Chiefs1430724

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

Week 2: at Denver Broncos

edit
Week 2: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period1234Total
Chiefs3601423
Broncos777324

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

Game information

Week 3: at Green Bay Packers

edit
Week 3: Kansas City Chiefs at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Chiefs0701017
Packers03003

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 4: vs. Cleveland Browns

edit
Week 4: Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period1234Total
Browns00000
Chiefs71710034

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

Week 5: at Indianapolis Colts

edit
Week 5: Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Chiefs1063019
Colts01001323

at Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions

edit
Week 6: Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period1234Total
Lions14001024
Chiefs314121443

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

Week 7: at Seattle Seahawks

edit
Week 7: Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period1234Total
Chiefs07007
Seahawks0331319

at Kingdome, Seattle, Washington

  • Date: October 21
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 60,358
  • Referee: Howard Roe
  • TV announcers (NBC): Jim Donovan and Joe Namath
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 9: vs. Los Angeles Raiders

edit
Week 9: Los Angeles Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period1234Total
Raiders00077
Chiefs60039

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: November 4
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 37 °F (3 °C)
  • Game attendance: 70,951
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Bill Walsh
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 10: vs. Seattle Seahawks

edit
Week 10: Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period1234Total
Seahawks037717
Chiefs0610016

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: November 11
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Clear, 63 °F (17 °C)
  • Game attendance: 71,285
  • Referee: Tom White
  • TV announcers (NBC): Jim Donovan and Paul Maguire
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 11: vs. San Diego Chargers

edit
Week 11: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period1234Total
Chargers307010
Chiefs1073727

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: November 18
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 54 °F (12 °C)
  • Game attendance: 63,717
  • Referee: Dick Hantak
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Todd Christensen
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 12: at Los Angeles Raiders

edit
Week 12: Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Raiders – Game summary
Period1234Total
Chiefs01010727
Raiders0107724

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

  • Date: November 25
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: Hazy, 78 °F (26 °C)
  • Game attendance: 65,170
  • Referee: Jerry Markbreit
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Bill Walsh
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 13: at New England Patriots

edit
Week 13: Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots – Game summary
Period1234Total
Chiefs13107737
Patriots00707

at Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: November 25
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 55 °F (13 °C)
  • Game attendance: 26,280
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers (NBC): Joel Meyers and Ahmad Rashad
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 14: vs. Denver Broncos

edit
Week 14: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period1234Total
Broncos0130720
Chiefs7371431

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: December 9
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Clear, 66 °F (19 °C)
  • Game attendance: 74,347
  • Referee: Gordon McCarter
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Bill Walsh
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 15: vs. Houston Oilers

edit
Week 15: Houston Oilers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period1234Total
Oilers7371027
Chiefs073010

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

Week 16: at San Diego Chargers

edit
Week 16: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Chiefs7140324
Chargers707721

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: December 23
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: Clear, Cold, 53 °F (12 °C)
  • Game attendance: 45,135
  • Referee: Jerry Seeman
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Todd Christensen
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 17: at Chicago Bears

edit
Week 17: Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period1234Total
Chiefs666321
Bears370010

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Standings

edit
AFC West
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(2) Los Angeles Raiders1240.7506–29–3337268W5
(5) Kansas City Chiefs1150.6885–37–5369257W2
Seattle Seahawks970.5634–47–5306286W2
San Diego Chargers6100.3752–65–9315281L3
Denver Broncos5110.3133–54–8331374W1

Postseason

edit

In a scene that would be repeated throughout the 1990s the Chiefs had a great regular season but failed miserably in the post-season. In the Wild Card playoff game, the Chiefs blew a 16–3 lead as the Dolphins scored two touchdowns to take a lead. The Chiefs had one last chance for a win, but Christian Okoye's long run was called back due to a questionable holding call. Kicker Nick Lowery, who had 139 points all season and a Pro Bowl berth missed a 52-yard field goal coming up two feet short, ending the Chiefs season.

Schedule

edit
RoundDateOpponent (seed)ResultRecordVenueAttendanceRecap
Wild CardJanuary 5, 1991at Miami Dolphins (4)L 16–170–1Joe Robbie Stadium67,276Recap

Game summaries

edit

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: at (4) Miami Dolphins

edit
AFC Wild Card Playoffs: Kansas City Chiefs (5) at Miami Dolphins (4) – Game summary
Period1234Total
Chiefs376016
Dolphins0301417

at Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami, Florida

  • Date: January 5
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST/3:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Partly Cloudy, 81 °F (27 °C)
  • Game attendance: 67,276
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, Frank Gifford, Dan Dierdorf and Bob Griese
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

With 2:28 left in the game, the Dolphins capped an 85-yard drive with quarterback Dan Marino's winning 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mark Clayton.

References

edit
  1. ^ "1990 Kansas City Chiefs draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 5, 2014.