First off, if you haven't got to look over parts 1 and 2, then here they are.
Todd Haley would start the off-season before 2010 with two new coordinators, a few more free agents, and a brand new draft class. If somebody had told you this is all it would take to be AFC West champions, would you have believed them?
Instead of taking the trip to Green Bay for training camp, the Chiefs had worked out a deal with Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph to have their camp there. This way, it was much easier for the fans to come out and watch the team, see the players, get autographs, etc.
This is where a lot of fans got to see the new team for the first time. Analysts and sportscasters were picking this team for last place in the division. And why shouldn't they? The Chiefs had finished in last place in their division the last three seasons in a row. In those three seasons, they had won a combined 10 games.
Surprisingly, however, one source was picking the Chiefs to exceed expectations and win the AFC West. This was no fan that thought they could win the division every year either, this was a legitimate statistical organization that is highly respected throughout professional football.
Football Outsiders predicted this summer that the unlikely Chiefs would be the AFC West champs. With all the statistics plugged in and all the calculations complete, could this be accurate? None of the scouts thought so, laughing off this bold prediction.
For the last couple of seasons, Arrowhead had been going through renovations. The public relations people tagged it: New Body, Same Soul. The 2010 season will be played in this rejuvenated stadium.
The Chiefs lost their first three preseason games before they finally won their last. Many Chiefs fans were discouraged by these preseason results. It didn't help that their first game of the regular season was on Monday Night Football against the four-time defending AFC West champion the San Diego Chargers.
It was a rainy Monday night. The game was to be the second game of a MNF doubleheader. This was the first MNF game in Kansas City since 2004. It was sold out. The fans, although weary of the Chargers, came to support their team on national television. They couldn't have picked a better time.
The Chiefs went on to upset the Chargers 21-14 behind a good defensive effort, special teams, and the soon-to-be-nationally-recognized running game. The season was off to a start and the Chiefs, with all the other AFC West teams losing that week, were in first place.
Fast forward to week 5. The Chiefs were 3-0, in first place in the AFC West, coming off a dominating win over San Francisco, and by grace of a bye in week 4 that had all the other undefeated teams losing, the last unbeaten team in the NFL.
Unfortunately, the Chiefs could not extend it to 4-0 and lost to the Colts. This was a frustrating loss which involved many missed passes, a few big drops (one being in the end zone), and a surprise onside kick that didn't turn out good. After being 3-0, many Chiefs fans were up in arms about the team.
We need a new quarterback, let's trade for Kevin Kolb; put Brodie in, he's the better passer; Dwayne Bowe has got to go; Haley loses us games by gambling. This list of complaints went on and on.
Fast forward to December 2nd. Matt Cassel was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Month. Cassel completed 90 of 144 passes (62.5 percent) for 1,111 yards with 12 touchdowns and one interception in November. His touchdown total was 22 with 4 interceptions. Dwayne Bowe had 14 of those touchdown passes. The Chiefs were 8-4 and still on top of the AFC West.
Fast forward to right now.
The Chiefs are AFC West champions and are hosting a playoff game. Dwayne Bowe, Jamaal Charels, and Brian Waters are heading to the Pro Bowl. We have a 1,000 yard rusher and a 1,000 yard receiver. Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson have both been AFC defensive players of the week. Todd Haley is in the discussion for Coach of the Year and Scott Pioli has a chance to win his third Executive of the Year.
After all the adversity this team has gone through, I have never been prouder to be a Chiefs fan than I am right now. When you look back and see how this team got here, in a rebuilding year, it's quite remarkable. And after the season is over (whenever that may be), I will have an Epilogue on this magnificent year. But hopefully, I won't have to put it on here until . . . February . . .
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