# 1981 Kansas City Chiefs season

The 1981 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's 12th season in the National Football League and 22nd overall. They improved from 1980 from an 8–8 record to a 9–7 record (their first winning season in 8 years) but missing the playoffs for the tenth consecutive season.
Bill Kenney began the 1981 season as the club's starting quarterback and directed the Chiefs to a 6–2 start, including a 37–33 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on Opening Day. 2nd round draft choice, running back Joe Delaney electrified the club's offense by rushing for 1,121 yards, a team single-season record at the time. He was named the AFC's Rookie of the Year and became the first running back to represent the franchise in the Pro Bowl. Delaney registered a 193-yard performance in a 23–10 victory against the Oilers on November 15, the best single-game total ever amassed by a Kansas City rookie.
Owning an 8–4 record with four games remaining, the Chiefs were poised to make the playoffs for the first time in 10 years before hitting a three-game losing skid. Bill Kenney missed the club's final three contests due to injury as Steve Fuller temporarily reclaimed the starting quarterback position and guided the club to a 10–6 win at Minnesota, in the final contest played at Metropolitan Stadium. With the Chiefs winning the game, Vikings fans began dismembering the stadium as early as the second half—taking seats, pieces of the scoreboard and even chunks of sod as souvenirs. The victory assured the Chiefs of a 9–7 record, the club's first winning mark since 1973 as coach Marv Levy increased the club's victory total for a third consecutive year. Inspired by the Washington Redskins's "Hail to the Redskins," Levy penned a fight song for the Chiefs called "Give a Cheer for Kansas City" which never caught on.

## Offseason
### NFL draft

1981 Kansas City Chiefs draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| 1 | 14 | Willie Scott | Tight end | South Carolina |
| 2 | 41 | Joe Delaney * | Running back | Northwestern State |
| 3 | 70 | Marvin Harvey | Tight end | Southern Mississippi |
| 3 | 75 | Roger Taylor | Offensive tackle | Oklahoma State |
| 3 | 78 | Lloyd Burruss * | Defensive back | Maryland |
| 4 | 97 | Ron Washington | Wide receiver | Arizona State |
| 5 | 124 | Todd Thomas | Center | North Dakota |
| 6 | 153 | Dock Luckie | Defensive tackle | Florida |
| 7 | 180 | Billy Jackson | Running back | Alabama |
| 8 | 206 | David Dorn | Wide receiver | Rutgers |
| 9 | 237 | Anthony Vereen | Defensive back | Southeastern Louisiana |
| 10 | 262 | Les Studdard | Center | Texas |
| 11 | 289 | Frank Case | Defensive end | Penn State |
| 12 | 319 | Bob Gagliano | Quarterback | Utah State |
| Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||

## Preseason

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Recap |
| 1 | August 7 | at Washington Redskins | L 10–16 | 0–1 | RFK Stadium | 32,488 | Recap |
| 2 | August 15 | Chicago Bears | W 13–0 | 1–1 | Arrowhead Stadium | 41,099 | Recap |
| 3 | August 22 | St. Louis Cardinals | L 3–16 | 1–2 | Arrowhead Stadium | 42,550 | Recap |
| 4 | August 28 | at Miami Dolphins | L 7–31 | 1–3 | Miami Orange Bowl | 41,290 | Recap |

## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Recap |
| 1 | September 6 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | W 37–33 | 1–0 | Three Rivers Stadium | 53,305 | Recap |
| 2 | September 13 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 19–10 | 2–0 | Arrowhead Stadium | 50,555 | Recap |
| 3 | September 20 | San Diego Chargers | L 31–42 | 2–1 | Arrowhead Stadium | 63,866 | Recap |
| 4 | September 27 | at Seattle Seahawks | W 20–14 | 3–1 | Kingdome | 59,255 | Recap |
| 5 | October 4 | at New England Patriots | L 17–33 | 3–2 | Schaefer Stadium | 55,931 | Recap |
| 6 | October 11 | Oakland Raiders | W 27–0 | 4–2 | Arrowhead Stadium | 76,543 | Recap |
| 7 | October 18 | Denver Broncos | W 28–14 | 5–2 | Arrowhead Stadium | 74,672 | Recap |
| 8 | October 25 | at Oakland Raiders | W 28–17 | 6–2 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | 42,914 | Recap |
| 9 | November 1 | at San Diego Chargers | L 20–22 | 6–3 | Jack Murphy Stadium | 51,307 | Recap |
| 10 | November 8 | Chicago Bears | L 13–16 (OT) | 6–4 | Arrowhead Stadium | 60,605 | Recap |
| 11 | November 15 | Houston Oilers | W 23–10 | 7–4 | Arrowhead Stadium | 73,984 | Recap |
| 12 | November 22 | Seattle Seahawks | W 40–13 | 8–4 | Arrowhead Stadium | 49,002 | Recap |
| 13 | November 26 | at Detroit Lions | L 10–27 | 8–5 | Pontiac Silverdome | 76,735 | Recap |
| 14 | December 6 | at Denver Broncos | L 13–16 | 8–6 | Mile High Stadium | 74,744 | Recap |
| 15 | December 13 | Miami Dolphins | L 7–17 | 8–7 | Arrowhead Stadium | 57,407 | Recap |
| 16 | December 20 | at Minnesota Vikings | W 10–6 | 9–7 | Metropolitan Stadium | 41,110 | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: at Pittsburgh Steelers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chiefs | 10 | 3 | 10 | 14 | 37 |
| Steelers | 6 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 33 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
* Date: September 6
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Cloudy, 69 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 53,305
* Referee: Jim Tunney
* TV announcers (NBC): Bob Costas and Bob Trumpy
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
PIT – Lynn Swann 18-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (kick failed, wide right), 6:11. Steelers 6–0. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 0:31.
KC – Henry Marshall 48-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 2:14. Chiefs 7–6. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:57.
KC – Nick Lowery 35-yard field goal, 0:08. Chiefs 10–6. Drive: 4 plays, –2 yards, 0:54.
Second quarter
PIT – Franco Harris 7-yard run (kick failed, wide right), 5:32. Steelers 12–10. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 2:50.
PIT – Franco Harris 1-yard run (David Trout kick), 1:10. Steelers 19–10. Drive: 5 plays, 48 yards, 0:54.
KC – Nick Lowery 40-yard field goal, 0:00. Steelers 19–13. Drive: 5 plays, 47 yards, 1:10.
Third quarter
KC – Carlos Carson 53-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 13:13. Chiefs 20–19. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 1:47.
PIT – Greg Hawthorne 1-yard run (David Trout kick), 9:27. Steelers 26–20. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 3:46.
KC – Nick Lowery 42-yard field goal, 3:21. Steelers 26–23. Drive: 3 plays, 8 yards, 1:36.
Fourth quarter
KC – Ted McKnight 3-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 14:07. Chiefs 30–26. Drive: 7 plays, 38 yards, 3:24.
PIT – Jim Smith 41-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (David Trout kick), 7:12. Steelers 33–30. Drive: 4 plays, 74 yards, 2:02.
KC – Tom Howard 65-yard fumble return (Nick Lowery kick), 1:59. Chiefs 37–33.
Top passers
KC – Bill Kenney – 14/26, 242 yards, 2 TD, INT
PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 21/36, 319 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
KC – Ted McKnight – 17 rushes, 59 yards, TD
PIT – Franco Harris – 19 rushes, 70 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
KC – Henry Marshall – 4 receptions, 89 yards, TD
PIT – John Stallworth – 6 receptions, 107 yards :

#### Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Buccaneers | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Chiefs | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 19 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
* Date: September 13
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Clear, 82 °F (28 °C)
* Game attendance: 50,555
* Referee: Fred Wyant
* TV announcers (CBS): Dick Stockton and Jim Hill
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
KC – Ted McKnight 8-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 12:43. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 14 yards, 0:43.
TB – James Wilder 2-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick), 2:08. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 59 yards, 2:57.
Second quarter
TB – Garo Yepremian 44-yard field goal, 13:09. Buccaneers 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 34 yards, 2:53.
KC – Nick Lowery 20-yard field goal, 5:30. Tied 10–10. Drive: 5 plays, 19 yards, 3:29.
Third quarter
KC – Nick Lowery 20-yard field goal, 7:06. Chiefs 13–10. Drive: 14 plays, 74 yards, 7:54.
Fourth quarter
KC – Nick Lowery 42-yard field goal, 9:52. Chiefs 16–10. Drive: 11 plays, 47 yards, 6:30.
KC – Nick Lowery 41-yard field goal, 2:00. Chiefs 19–10. Drive: 7 plays, 34 yards, 3:45.
Top passers
TB – Doug Williams – 20/43, 294 yards
KC – Bill Kenney – 12/25, 99 yards
Top rushers
TB – Ricky Bell – 8 rushes, 9 yards
KC – Joe Delaney – 13 rushes, 57 yards
Top receivers
TB – Kevin House – 5 receptions, 87 yards
KC – Carlos Carson – 2 receptions, 35 yards :

#### Week 3: vs. San Diego Chargers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 14 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 42 |
| Chiefs | 7 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 31 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
* Date: September 20
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Clear, 80 °F (27 °C)
* Game attendance: 63,866
* Referee: Ben Dreith
* TV announcers (NBC): Mike Adamle and Rocky Bleier
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
KC – Ted McKnight 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 9:12. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 44 yards, 5:48.
SD – Kellen Winslow 13-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick), 4:13. Tied 7–7. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 2:58.
SD – James Brooks 29-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick), 0:33. Chargers 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 47 yards, 1:36.
Second quarter
SD – Chuck Muncie 1-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick), 6:14. Chargers 21–7. Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 4:51.
SD – Eric Sievers 12-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick), 2:09. Chargers 28–7. Drive: 1 play, 12 yards, 0:05.
KC – Al Dixon 7-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 1:19. Chargers 28–14. Drive: 5 plays, 76 yards, 0:50.
Third quarter
KC – Ted McKnight 3-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 10:38. Chargers 28–21. Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 3:55.
SD – Chuck Muncie 3-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick), 7:42. Chargers 35–21. Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, 2:56.
KC – Billy Jackson 4-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 3:25. Chargers 35–28. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:17.
Fourth quarter
KC – Nick Lowery 37-yard field goal, 10:07. Chargers 35–31. Drive: 7 plays, 27 yards, 3:43.
SD – Gary Johnson 5-yard interception return (Rolf Benirschke kick), 1:53. Chargers 42–31.
Top passers
SD – Dan Fouts – 22/43, 284 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
KC – Bill Kenney – 22/41, 303 yards, TD, 5 INT
Top rushers
SD – Chuck Muncie – 17 rushes, 93 yards, 2 TD
KC – Joe Delaney – 9 rushes, 66 yards
Top receivers
SD – Kellen Winslow – 6 receptions, 96 yards, TD
KC – J. T. Smith – 9 receptions, 140 yards :

#### Week 4: at Seattle Seahawks

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chiefs | 7 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Seahawks | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
at Kingdome, Seattle, Washington
* Date: September 27
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 59,255
* Referee: Tom Dooley
* TV announcers (NBC): Phil Stone and Gene Washington
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
KC – Ted McKnight 2-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 9:56. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 5:04.
Second quarter
KC – Bill Kenney 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 13:41. Chiefs 14–0. Drive: 12 plays, 50 yards, 6:17.
KC – Nick Lowery 30-yard field goal, 6:40. Chiefs 17–0. Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 5:01.
KC – Nick Lowery 38-yard field goal, 5:28. Chiefs 20–0. Drive: 4 plays, –5 yards, 0:59.
SEA – Sam McCullum 11-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 1:58. Chiefs 20–7. Drive: 9 plays, 83 yards, 3:30.
Third quarter
SEA – Sherman Smith 2-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 11:01. Chiefs 20–14. Drive: 8 plays, 51 yards, 3:50.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays.
Top passers
KC – Bill Kenney – 16/25, 239 yards
SEA – Jim Zorn – 31/47, 308 yards, TD
Top rushers
KC – Joe Delaney – 15 rushes, 45 yards
SEA – Jim Zorn – 4 rushes, 48 yards
Top receivers
KC – J. T. Smith – 5 receptions, 81 yards
SEA – David Hughes – 12 receptions, 103 yards :

#### Week 5: at New England Patriots

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chiefs | 7 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
| Patriots | 7 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 33 |
at Schaefer Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: October 4
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, cool, 57 °F (14 °C)
* Game attendance: 55,931
* Referee: Fred Silva
* TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and John Brodie
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NE – Don Hasselbeck 13-yard pass from Matt Cavanaugh (John Smith kick), 9:09. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 45 yards, 4:52.
KC – James Hadnot 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 3:27. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 5:42.
Second quarter
NE – Matt Cavanaugh 8-yard run (John Smith kick), 6:48. Patriots 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 17 yards, 2:12.
Third quarter
KC – Nick Lowery 35-yard field goal, 11:36. Patriots 14–10. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:31.
NE – John Smith 50-yard field goal, 6:57. Patriots 17–10. Drive: 9 plays, 45 yards, 4:39.
NE – Tony Collins 13-yard run (John Smith kick), 3:59. Patriots 24–10. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 1:52.
Fourth quarter
KC – Joe Delaney 18-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 14:54. Patriots 24–17. Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 4:05.
NE – Stanley Morgan 66-yard pass from Andy Johnson (kick failed, wide right), 13:07. Patriots 30–17. Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 1:47.
NE – John Smith 43-yard field goal, 7:36. Patriots 33–17. Drive: 6 plays, 39 yards, 3:17.
Top passers
KC – Bill Kenney – 9/20, 108 yards, 3 INT
NE – Matt Cavanaugh – 10/19, 162 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
KC – Joe Delaney – 18 rushes, 101 yards, TD
NE – Tony Collins – 19 rushes, 96 yards, TD
Top receivers
KC – Willie Scott – 3 receptions, 44 yards
NE – Stanley Morgan – 4 receptions, 118 yards, TD :

#### Week 6: vs. Oakland Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Raiders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chiefs | 3 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 27 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
* Date: October 11
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Clear, 69 °F (21 °C)
* Game attendance: 76,543
* Referee: Red Cashion
* TV announcers (NBC): Phil Stone and Gene Washington
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
KC – Nick Lowery 52-yard field goal, 8:39. Chiefs 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 3:33.
Second quarter
KC – Billy Jackson 4-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 6:28. Chiefs 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 86 yards, 3:15.
Third quarter
KC – Nick Lowery 25-yard field goal, 8:51. Chiefs 13–0. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:09.
KC – Henry Marshall 48-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 2:37. Chiefs 20–0. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 3:33.
Fourth quarter
KC – J. T. Smith 9-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 10:18. Chiefs 27–0. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:27.
Top passers
OAK – Jim Plunkett – 12/29, 129 yards, INT
KC – Bill Kenney – 16/23, 187 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
OAK – Kenny King – 11 rushes, 46 yards
KC – Joe Delaney – 28 rushes, 106 yards
Top receivers
OAK – Cliff Branch – 4 receptions, 46 yards
KC – Henry Marshall – 6 receptions, 110 yards, TD :

#### Week 7: vs. Denver Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Broncos | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
| Chiefs | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 28 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
* Date: October 18
* Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Clear, 55 °F (13 °C)
* Game attendance: 74,672
* Referee: Dick Jorgensen
* TV announcers (NBC): Bob Costas and Bob Trumpy
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
KC – Billy Jackson 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 8:37. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 4:45.
KC – Whitney Paul 47-yard fumble return (Nick Lowery kick), 0:22. Chiefs 14–0.
Second quarter
No scoring plays.
Third quarter
DEN – Steve Watson 11-yard pass from Craig Morton (Fred Steinfort kick), 4:56. Chiefs 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:35.
Fourth quarter
KC – Henry Marshall 64-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 14:08. Chiefs 21–7. Drive: 3 plays, 70 yards, 0:52.
DEN – Steve Watson 1-yard pass from Craig Morton (Fred Steinfort kick), 8:59. Chiefs 21–14. Drive: 12 plays, 82 yards, 5:09.
KC – Joe Delaney 82-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 5:27. Chiefs 28–14. Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:41.
Top passers
DEN – Craig Morton – 25/38, 342 yards, 2 TD, INT
KC – Bill Kenney – 6/12, 100 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
DEN – Dave Preston – 13 rushes, 39 yards
KC – Joe Delaney – 21 rushes, 149 yards, TD
Top receivers
DEN – Rick Upchurch – 5 receptions, 138 yards
KC – Henry Marshall – 3 receptions, 80 yards, TD :

#### Week 8: at Oakland Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chiefs | 0 | 0 | 7 | 21 | 28 |
| Raiders | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
* Date: October 25
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 61 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 42,914
* Referee: Bob Frederic
* TV announcers (NBC): Merle Harmon and George Kunz
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
OAK – Morris Bradshaw 6-yard pass from Marc Wilson (Chris Bahr kick), 12:34. Raiders 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 6 yards, 0:04.
Second quarter
OAK – Marc Wilson 3-yard run (Chris Bahr kick), 11:09. Raiders 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards, 2:32.
OAK – Chris Bahr 51-yard field goal, 0:00. Raiders 17–0. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 1:15.
Third quarter
KC – Billy Jackson 29-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 0:29. Raiders 17–7. Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 2:16.
Fourth quarter
KC – Billy Jackson 3-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 7:20. Raiders 17–14. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 4:19.
KC – Billy Jackson 3-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 1:57. Chiefs 21–17. Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 4:22.
KC – Gary Spani 91-yard fumble return (Nick Lowery kick), 0:24. Chiefs 28–17.
Top passers
KC – Bill Kenney – 8/25, 132 yards, 3 INT
OAK – Marc Wilson – 19/47, 251 yards, TD, 4 INT
Top rushers
KC – Steve Fuller – 3 rushes, 43 yards
OAK – Kenny King – 11 rushes, 49 yards
Top receivers
KC – Henry Marshall – 5 receptions, 85 yards
OAK – Cliff Branch – 4 receptions, 86 yards :

#### Week 9: at San Diego Chargers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chiefs | 7 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 20 |
| Chargers | 7 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 22 |
at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California
* Date: November 1
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
* Game weather: Clear and sunny, 81 °F (27 °C)
* Game attendance: 51,307
* Referee: Gene Barth
* TV announcers (NBC): Phil Stone and Gene Washington
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
SD – Chuck Muncie 1-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick), 10:19. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:34.
KC – James Hadnot 2-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 3:36. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 6:43.
Second quarter
SD – Chuck Muncie 4-yard run (kick failed, wide right), 4:10. Chargers 13–7. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 2:32.
SD – Rolf Benirschke 29-yard field goal, 0:30. Chargers 16–7. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 1:26.
SD – Rolf Benirschke 19-yard field goal, 0:00. Chargers 19–7. Drive: 2 plays, 32 yards, 0:19.
Third quarter
KC – Billy Jackson 2-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 11:55. Chargers 19–14. Drive: 4 plays, 56 yards, 1:39.
Fourth quarter
KC – Nick Lowery 21-yard field goal, 14:50. Chargers 19–17. Drive: 13 plays, 78 yards, 7:15.
KC – Nick Lowery 32-yard field goal, 6:32. Chiefs 20–19. Drive: 10 plays, 49 yards, 6:25.
SD – Rolf Benirschke 22-yard field goal, 0:13. Chargers 22–20. Drive: 14 plays, 70 yards, 6:04.
Top passers
KC – Bill Kenney – 13/22, 190 yards, TD
SD – Dan Fouts – 24/39, 297 yards, INT
Top rushers
KC – Joe Delaney – 23 rushes, 117 yards
SD – Chuck Muncie – 16 rushes, 63 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
KC – J. T. Smith – 5 receptions, 92 yards
SD – Chuck Muncie – 6 receptions, 71 yards :

#### Week 10: vs. Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Bears | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 16 |
| Chiefs | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
* Date: November 8
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Showers, 56 °F (13 °C)
* Game attendance: 60,605
* Referee: Jim Tunney
* TV announcers (CBS): Dick Stockton and Johnny Morris
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
CHI – Rickey Watts 12-yard pass from Vince Evans (John Roveto kick), 13:43. Bears 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 7 yards, 0:12.
KC – Nick Lowery 34-yard field goal, 8:28. Bears 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 5:15.
Second quarter
CHI – John Roveto 24-yard field goal, 7:06. Bears 10–3. Drive: 5 plays, 8 yards, 3:21.
KC – Nick Lowery 33-yard field goal, 0:00. Bears 10–6. Drive: 3 plays, 8 yards, 0:33.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
CHI – John Roveto 23-yard field goal, 12:47. Bears 13–6. Drive: 15 plays, 67 yards, 8:02.
KC – Henry Marshall 1-yard pass from Steve Fuller (Nick Lowery kick), 0:44. Tied 13–13. Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 1:30.
Overtime
CHI – John Roveto 22-yard field goal, 1:53. Bears 16–13. Drive: 12 plays, 59 yards, 5:30.
Top passers
CHI – Vince Evans – 7/30, 77 yards, TD
KC – Steve Fuller – 7/20, 88 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
CHI – Walter Payton – 21 rushes, 70 yards
KC – Billy Jackson – 14 rushes, 56 yards
Top receivers
CHI – Ken Margerum – 4 receptions, 48 yards
KC – Henry Marshall – 4 receptions, 48 yards, TD :

#### Week 11: vs. Houston Oilers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Oilers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Chiefs | 7 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
* Date: November 15
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Clear, 61 °F (16 °C)
* Game attendance: 73,984
* Referee: Jerry Markbreit
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Len Dawson
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
KC – Joe Delaney 6-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 1:55. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 38 yards, 2:11.
Second quarter
KC – Nick Lowery 37-yard field goal, 11:04. Chiefs 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 14 yards, 3:14.
HOU – Toni Fritsch 21-yard field goal, 0:02. Chiefs 10–3. Drive: 11 plays, 69 yards, 3:13.
Third quarter
KC – Billy Jackson 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 7:26. Chiefs 17–3. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 3:06.
Fourth quarter
HOU – Ken Burrough 50-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Toni Fritsch kick), 9:36. Chiefs 17–10. Drive: 2 plays, 60 yards, 0:39.
KC – Nick Lowery 42-yard field goal, 5:13. Chiefs 20–10. Drive: 6 plays, 50 yards, 4:23.
KC – Nick Lowery 38-yard field goal, 1:56. Chiefs 23–10. Drive: 5 plays, 14 yards, 2:58.
Top passers
HOU – Ken Stabler – 12/22, 194 yards, TD, 2 INT
KC – Bill Kenney – 6/11, 39 yards
Top rushers
HOU – Earl Campbell – 21 rushes, 99 yards
KC – Joe Delaney – 29 rushes, 193 yards, TD
Top receivers
HOU – Ken Burrough – 4 receptions, 80 yards, TD
KC – J. T. Smith – 1 reception, 9 yards :

#### Week 12: vs. Seattle Seahawks

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Seahawks | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
| Chiefs | 3 | 17 | 7 | 13 | 40 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
* Date: November 22
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Clear, 53 °F (12 °C)
* Game attendance: 49,002
* Referee: Fred Silva
* TV announcers (NBC): Mike Adamle and Dave Rowe
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
SEA – Efrén Herrera 26-yard field goal, 7:57. Seahawks 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 7:03.
KC – Nick Lowery 37-yard field goal, 2:46. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 5:11.
Second quarter
KC – Nick Lowery 24-yard field goal, 11:16. Chiefs 6–3. Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 3:44.
SEA – Efrén Herrera 30-yard field goal, 2:51. Tied 6–6. Drive: 15 plays, 74 yards, 8:25.
KC – J.T. Smith 14-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 1:07. Chiefs 13–6. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 1:44.
KC – Lloyd Burruss 46-yard interception return (Nick Lowery kick), 0:31. Chiefs 20–6.
Third quarter
KC – Billy Jackson 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 9:40. Chiefs 27–6. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:20.
SEA – Steve Largent 30-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 5:16. Chiefs 27–13. Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 4:24.
Fourth quarter
KC – Willie Scott 2-yard pass from Bill Kenney (kick failed, wide right), 14:57. Chiefs 33–13. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 5:19.
KC – Billy Jackson 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 9:36. Chiefs 40–13. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 4:18.
Top passers
SEA – Jim Zorn – 19/30, 258 yards, TD, INT
KC – Bill Kenney – 17/22, 181 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
SEA – Theotis Brown – 16 rushes, 63 yards
KC – James Hadnot – 10 rushes, 106 yards
Top receivers
SEA – Steve Largent – 4 receptions, 63 yards, TD
KC – J. T. Smith – 7 receptions, 70 yards, TD :

#### Week 13: at Detroit Lions

Thanksgiving Day games
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chiefs | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| Lions | 7 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 27 |
at Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan
* Date: November 26
* Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST
* Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 76,735
* Referee: Fred Wyant
* TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
DET – David Hill 10-yard pass from Eric Hipple (Eddie Murray kick), 11:51. Lions 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 73 yards, 3:09.
KC – Billy Jackson 4-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 6:35. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 5:16.
Second quarter
DET – Eddie Murray 34-yard field goal, 13:53. Lions 10–7. Drive: 8 plays, 23 yards, 3:00.
DET – Freddie Scott 40-yard pass from Eric Hipple (Eddie Murray kick), 4:29. Lions 17–7. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 1:31.
Third quarter
KC – Nick Lowery 33-yard field goal, 8:47. Lions 17–10. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 6:13.
DET – Eddie Murray 46 yard field goal 3:13. Lions 20–10. Drive: 11 plays, 44 yards, 5:34.
Fourth quarter
DET – Billy Sims 4 yard run (Eddie Murray kick), 2:46. Lions 27–10. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 4:42.
Top passers
KC – Steve Fuller – 10/17, 131 yards
DET – Eric Hipple – 10/22, 132 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
KC – Joe Delaney – 17 rushes, 77 yards
DET – Billy Sims – 20 rushes, 64 yards, TD
Top receivers
KC – J. T. Smith – 5 receptions, 61 yards
DET – Freddie Scott – 3 receptions, 71 yards, TD :

#### Week 14: at Denver Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chiefs | 0 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
| Broncos | 7 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado
* Date: December 6
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
* Game weather: Mostly sunny, 68 °F (20 °C)
* Game attendance: 74,744
* Referee: Red Cashion
* TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and John Brodie
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
DEN – Rob Lytle 2-yard run (Fred Steinfort kick), 12:03. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 83 yards, 2:57.
Second quarter
DEN – Fred Steinfort 23-yard field goal, 14:16. Broncos 10–0. Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 6:03.
DEN – Larry Canada 2-yard run (kick aborted), 5:37. Broncos 16–0. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 5:57.
KC – Nick Lowery 43-yard field goal, 1:04. Broncos 16–3. Drive: 11 plays, 55 yards, 4:33.
KC – Nick Lowery 45-yard field goal, 0:30. Broncos 16–6. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:22.
Third quarter
KC – James Hadnot 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 1:48. Broncos 16–13. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:37.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays.
Top passers
KC – Steve Fuller – 18/34, 261 yards, INT
DEN – Craig Morton – 16/24, 281 yards
Top rushers
KC – Joe Delaney – 11 rushes, 36 yards
DEN – Dave Preston – 13 rushes, 38 yards
Top receivers
KC – Al Dixon – 6 receptions, 86 yards
DEN – Steve Watson – 2 receptions, 103 yards :

#### Week 15: vs. Miami Dolphins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| Chiefs | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
* Date: December 13
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Overcast, 41 °F (5 °C)
* Game attendance: 57,407
* Referee: Pat Haggerty
* TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert and Len Dawson
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Tony Nathan 5-yard run (Uwe von Schamann kick), 2:36. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 2:23.
Second quarter
KC – Al Dixon 2-yard pass from Steve Fuller (Nick Lowery kick), 12:00. Tied 7–7. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 5:36.
MIA – Uwe von Schamann 39-yard field goal, 5:06. Dolphins 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 47 yards, 6:54.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
MIA – Andra Franklin 1-yard run (Uwe von Schamann kick), 14:13. Dolphins 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards, 4:05.
Top passers
MIA – Don Strock – 8/16, 109 yards, 2 INT
KC – Steve Fuller – 21/37, 206 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
MIA – Andra Franklin – 17 rushes, 40 yards, TD
KC – Steve Fuller – 8 rushes, 42 yards
Top receivers
MIA – Tommy Vigorito – 3 receptions, 42 yards
KC – J. T. Smith – 5 receptions, 99 yards :

#### Week 16: at Minnesota Vikings

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chiefs | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| Vikings | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota
* Date: December 20
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Cloudy, 21 °F (−6 °C)
* Game attendance: 41,110
* Referee: Tom Dooley
* TV announcers (NBC): Merle Harmon and Jim Turner
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIN – Rick Danmeier 43-yard field goal, 10:33. Vikings 3–0. Drive: 14 plays, 50 yards, 4:27.
KC – Nick Lowery 30-yard field goal, 1:12. Tied 3–3. Drive: 4 plays, 9 yards, 1:41.
Second quarter
No scoring plays.
Third quarter
KC – Stan Rome 15-yard pass from Steve Fuller (Nick Lowery kick), 10:03. Chiefs 10–3. Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 4:57.
MIN – Rick Danmeier 33-yard field goal, 4:30. Chiefs 10–6. Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 1:15.
Fourth quarter
No scoring plays.
Top passers
KC – Steve Fuller – 12/16, 145 yards, TD, INT
MIN – Tommy Kramer – 17/38, 177 yards, INT
Top rushers
KC – Billy Jackson – 25 rushes, 102 yards
MIN – Tony Galbreath – 11 rushes, 55 yards
Top receivers
KC – Carlos Carson – 3 receptions, 78 yards
MIN – Tony Galbreath – 7 receptions, 60 yards :

## Standings

AFC West :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| San Diego Chargers$^{(3)}$ | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 6–2 | 8–4 | 478 | 390 | W2 |
| Denver Broncos | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 5–3 | 7–5 | 321 | 289 | L1 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 5–3 | 7–5 | 343 | 290 | W1 |
| Oakland Raiders | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–6 | 5–7 | 273 | 343 | L2 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–6 | 6–8 | 322 | 388 | W1 |