The Chiefs’ Historic Division Win Streak
14 repliesIt wasn’t as smooth as normal this year, but with the Chargers inexplicably (but hilariously) losing to the Texans and the Chiefs destroying the Steelers, they have clinched the AFC West division crown yet again. We’ve finally gotten to the point where division titles are mostly meaningless, and it’s only the big prize that matters, but it’s important to recognize just how big of an accomplishment 6 straight division titles is.
The #Chiefs are the 5th team since #NFL merger to win 6 straight division titles.
Most consecutive division titles:
1. Patriots — 11 (2009-2019)
2. Rams — 7 (1973-1979)
T3. Chiefs — 6 (2016-2021)
T3. Vikings — 6 (1973-1978)
T3. Steelers — 6 (1974-1979)#ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/SxZ0dd7P6y— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) December 27, 2021
As you can see above, the Chiefs are only the 5th team in NFL history to win the division 6 seasons in a row. The Patriots have the record with 11 (of course, the bastards), and the 70s Rams shockingly come in 2nd with 7 (they probably don’t get enough love for how good they were, as they went to the conference championship game 5 times during that run). Then the 70s Vikings (who infamously lost 3 Super Bowls in 4 years during that time) and the 70s Steelers (who won 4 Super Bowls) join the Chiefs with 6.
Apparently, the 70s were a decade of one team dominating divisions.
Anyway, that list should give you an idea of just how difficult it is. The Patriots were the first team to do it since the 70s! Neither the Montana 49ers nor the Manning Colts, both teams who dominated for long stretches, were able to put together a streak of 6 straight.
And unlike the Patriots, who had the benefit of mostly easy division opponents every year, the Chiefs have had to fend off some very good teams. Twice, the Chiefs had to fend off 12-4 teams to win the division (something the Patriots have never done).
So don’t take this for granted. If you’re a younger fan and don’t remember the bad times, or for older fans who have bad memories, remember that for fans like myself just winning the division used to be a huge deal. I remember being so excited to win the division in 2010, and I proudly wore an old 2003 division championship shirt for years.
Before Andy Reid, we had won the division 6 times in total since the merger. Now we’ve won it 6 times in a row.
This line says it all
“Before Andy Reid, we had won the division 6 times in total since the merger. Now we’ve won it 6 times in a row.”
Wow!
I remember Clark hiring Andy Reid like it was yesterday. I was so thrilled and the thrill hasn’t left yet.
I can Relate Big Red, I can Relate … ( My Christmas Eve Dinner !!! … ; )
Our previous longest streak of division titles was….. 1. ?
so y’all know: using the ESPN Playoff Machine and projecting the WORST possible scenario for the Chiefs …
Titans win out, 1st Seed at 12-5
#7 Ravens 10-7 @ #2 Bengals 11-6
#6 Pats 11-6 @ #3 Bills 11-6
#5 Colts 11-6 @ #4 Chiefs 11-6
I am by no means saying that this particular scenario will happen, and it’s pretty bloody likely that whatever DOES happen WILL be different … the above is the WORST CASE for KC
if KC loses to CIN but knocks off DEN, they jump to the #2 Seed at 12-5 (TEN has the head-to-head tiebreaker over KC)
winning both is, of course, far preferable … one game at a time, one play at a time
6x. How glorious
( I distinctly remember Hating the DisChargers for winning 5 in a Row …. ” It’s Good To Be The King ! … ; )
I think that free agency and the cap took care of most of the old dynasty’s. The Patriots were able to get around that by working around the rules more than most. that’s a polite way of saying CHEATING!!!!
One thing of note is that divisions used to be 5 or 6 teams. Not to take anything away from the feat. Im surprised Mannings Colts arent on this list.
the Madden teams in Oakland won boatloads of titles as well … 70’s/80’s they had one helluva run
9 of 10, but never 6 straight.
Before FA, you could keep a core together so it’s not surprising that most were before that
Also saw a stat where Belichek and Andy are close to double every other coach in the number of ten win seasons.
not surprising, 16 (now 17) game schedule and all that, had they played 16 instead of 14 years and years ago, some of the older coaches (Don Shula comes to mind) would have been up there as well … impressive to be sure, though