With their thrilling victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs have started 9-0 for the third time in franchise history. The Chiefs will have the chance to reach 10-0 for the first time in franchise history against the Buffalo Bills next week, failing to do so each of the previous two times.
The first 9-0 start came back in 2003, led by coach Dick Vermeil. The Chiefs had the highest scoring offense in the NFL that season, averaging 30.2 points per game. They also finished second in the league in total yards with 5,910. Running back Priest Holmes set the NFL record at the time for most rushing touchdowns in a season with 27.
In the 10th game of the 2003 season the Chiefs fell to the Cincinnati Bengals 24-19. It was a rare off day for Kansas City’s offense, and its defense surrendered 165 rushing yards to Rudi Johnson. The Chiefs finished the year with a 13-3 record, good for the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
Unfortunately, the Chiefs were one-and-done in the postseason after losing the infamous “no punt game” to the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round 38-31. As good as Kansas City’s offense was, it couldn’t overcome its historically bad defense. That would be the only playoff game for Vermeil during his Chiefs tenure.