Throwback Game of the Week - KC @ SD

Week 12: Kansas City at San Diego

This rivalry began with the start of the American Football League in 1960 when the Chargers played in Los Angeles and the Chiefs franchise operated out of Dallas and was known as the Texans. It continues today in the AFC Western Division of the National Football League. This Sunday’s matchup marks the 99th regular season meeting between the two clubs. Kansas City holds a narrow 50-47-1 edge in the series while the Chargers won the lone playoff game between the two teams.

First Time:
Sept. 10, 1960 –This Saturday evening affair in Los Angeles’ Memorial Coliseum marked the first regular season game for both clubs. The Texans jumped out to a 20-7 halftime lead. But the Chargers scored a pair of fourth quarter TDs to win 21-20. Quarterback Jack Kemp led the way with a rushing TD in the final quarter and two touchdown passes including the game-winner to RB Howard Ferguson. Chargers tight end Ralph Anderson chipped in with 103 yards on five catches and one TD.

Last Time:
Oct. 25, 2009 – The Chargers completely dominated the Chiefs with a 37-7 win at Kansas City in Week 7. Quarterback Philip Rivers threw 3 TDs while wide receiver Vincent Jackson registered a game-high 142 yards on 5 catches and one touchdown. NFL.com Game Center>>>

Hall of Fame Members
Kansas City has nine long-time members of its franchise enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame including linebacker Derrick Thomas and cornerback Emmitt Thomas who’ve been enshrined in the past two years. The Chargers have seven individuals enshrined in Canton and four other players who spent a brief time with the organization.

Records found in the NFL Record Book
The Chargers high-flying offense of the late ‘70s and into the ‘80s put their name in the NFL record many times. One such mark is the total of 259 first downs that came via the pass during the 1985 season.

Speaking of first downs, the Kansas City Chiefs established the single-season mark of 398 first downs during the 2004 season.

Throwback Game
Nov. 12, 1978

Lydell Mitchell rushed for 100 yards for the second straight week. His 144-yard day was the best game he had during his two years with the Chargers. It also marked the last 100-yard effort of his career.

Whenever the Chiefs and Chargers meet the games are usually tight battles. This Week 11 contest was no different except that it marked the first time in series history that sudden death was needed to determine a winner. It almost was not enough to avoid a tie.

The Chiefs were reeling from two straight losses at the hands of the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Oakland Raiders. Meanwhile, the Chargers entered the game with successive wins over the Raiders and the Cincinnati Bengals.

The teams battled back and forth. The game was tied when Chiefs’ Jan Stenerud kicked a 47-yard field goal attempt to send the game into overtime. Stenerud’s kick almost missed when it hit the crossbar but fortunately bounced through the uprights to force the extra period.

It was more of the same in the fifth quarter as the teams exchanged possessions. Finally, the Chargers took over at the Kansas City 48 yard line with just two minutes remaining in the extra period. San Diego meticulously moved the ball down the field. Then as the seconds ticked away, quarterback Dan Fouts lined up but two clocks visible from the field showed different times remaining. Regardless of the confusion, the future Hall of Famer calmly took the snap and then drilled a 10-yard TD pass to John Jefferson who made a spectacular catch while on his back in the end zone. Time ran out just as the play happened and the Chargers came away with a 29-23 victory over their division rivals.

Helping the Chargers offense on this day was former Colts running back Lydell Mitchell who gained 144 yards rushing on 29 carries and Jefferson who had a game-high 130 yards via seven catches. Kansas City was led by Arnold Morgado who recorded his lone 100-yard rushing effort of his four-year NFL career when he carried the ball 29 times for 115 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns.

Lydell Mitchell rushed for 100 yards for the second straight week. His 144-yard day was the best game he had during his two years with the Chargers. It also marked the last 100-yard effort of his career.

Game Program Cover | Official Gamebook (PDF)

More Chiefs & Chargers on Profootballhof.com
Team histories
Kansas City | San Diego

Photos
Lamar Hunt
Chiefs Hall of Famers
Chargers Hall of Famers
Chargers’ defensive linemen over the years

Artifacts
Willie Lanier’s helmet
Dan Fouts jersey from memorable 1979 season
LaDainian Tomlinson shoes worn during record-setting season
Football from Priest Holmes TD record

Some other stories on Chiefs & Chargers
Sad Christmas: Chiefs lose in longest game
Air Coryell takes NFL by storm
Sack machine: Remembering Derrick Thomas
Chargers’ epic win in ’81 playoff game
LT becomes first 1000/100 man

2009 Throwback Game of the Week Archive>>>