NFL team season
The 1978 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise 's 9th season in the National Football League , the 16th as the Kansas City Chiefs , and the 19th overall. It began with the hiring of new head coach Marv Levy , formerly of the Canadian Football League 's Montreal Alouettes . With the NFL expanding its schedule to 16 games, the Chiefs finished with a 4–12 record and 5th in the AFC West .
Coach Levy's systematic restocking of a relatively barren defensive roster began with a 1978 draft class that included a pair of future Chiefs franchise hall of famers in defensive end Art Still and linebacker Gary Spani . Running back Ed Podolak , who was the club's all-time leading rusher at the time, retired in the offseason on June 15.[ 1]
Perhaps Levy's most unconventional tactic in rebuilding the Chiefs was installing the Wing-T offense . "It was a situation where we took over a team that had the worst defensive record in the history of the National Football League," Levy explained.[ 1] "We wanted to keep that defense off the field, so we ran the ball 60 times a game."[ 1] The 1978 Chiefs team ran and ran often, posting franchise records with 663 rushing attempts and 2,986 ground yards.[ 1] Levy's squad ran the ball a staggering 69 times in a 24–23 Opening Day win at Cincinnati on September 3, the most rushing attempts in an NFL contest since 1948 .[ 1] Five different players had 100-yard rushing games during the year, including running back Tony Reed , who finished the season with 1,053 yards to become the team's first 1,000-yard back since 1967.[ 1] Despite the squad's Opening Day success, the club lost 10 of its next 11 games, including a pair of overtime decisions. However, the team showed signs of improvement with the defense recording a 23–0 shutout against San Diego on November 26 as the club concluded its first 16-game schedule with a 4–12 mark.[ 1]
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap 1 September 3 at Cincinnati Bengals W 24–23 1–0 Riverfront Stadium 41,810 Recap 2 September 10 Houston Oilers L 17–20 1–1 Arrowhead Stadium 40,213 Recap 3 September 17 at New York Giants L 10–26 1–2 Giants Stadium 70,546 Recap 4 September 24 Denver Broncos L 17–23 (OT) 1–3 Arrowhead Stadium 60,593 Recap 5 October 1 at Buffalo Bills L 13–28 1–4 Rich Stadium 47,310 Recap 6 October 8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 13–30 1–5 Arrowhead Stadium 38,201 Recap 7 October 15 at Oakland Raiders L 6–28 1–6 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 50,759 Recap 8 October 22 Cleveland Browns W 17–3 2–6 Arrowhead Stadium 41,157 Recap 9 October 29 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 24–27 2–7 Three Rivers Stadium 48,185 Recap 10 November 5 Oakland Raiders L 10–20 2–8 Arrowhead Stadium 75,418 Recap 11 November 12 at San Diego Chargers L 23–29 (OT) 2–9 San Diego Stadium 41,395 Recap 12 November 19 Seattle Seahawks L 10–13 2–10 Arrowhead Stadium 35,252 Recap 13 November 26 San Diego Chargers W 23–0 3–10 Arrowhead Stadium 26,248 Recap 14 December 3 Buffalo Bills W 14–10 4–10 Arrowhead Stadium 25,781 Recap 15 December 10 at Denver Broncos L 3–24 4–11 Mile High Stadium 74,149 Recap 16 December 17 at Seattle Seahawks L 19–23 4–12 Kingdome 58,490 Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Week 1: at Cincinnati Bengals [ edit ] Game information First quarter
Second quarter
CIN – Don Bass fumble recovery in endzone (kick aborted), 10:38. Chiefs 7–6. KC – Ted McKnight 26-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 7:26. Chiefs 14–6. Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 3:01. CIN – Chris Bahr 42-yard field goal, 4:58. Chiefs 14–9. Drive: 4 plays, –1 yard, 0:55. KC – Jan Stenerud 19-yard field goal, 0:18. Chiefs 17–9. Drive: 15 plays, 76 yards, 4:32. Third quarter
KC – Arnold Morgado 4-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 8:57. Chiefs 24–9. Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 4:31. Fourth quarter
CIN – Archie Griffin 26-yard pass from John Reaves (Chris Bahr kick), 4:59. Chiefs 24–16. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 2:29. CIN – Scott Perry 25-yard return of blocked punt (Chris Bahr kick), 1:49. Chiefs 24–23. Top passers Top rushers KC – Mark Bailey – 26 rushes, 106 yards CIN – Archie Griffin – 9 rushes, 50 yards Top receivers KC – Walter White – 6 receptions, 57 yards CIN – Archie Griffin – 2 receptions, 37 yards, TD
Week 2: vs Houston Oilers [ edit ] Game information First quarter
HOU – Toni Fritsch 33-yard field goal, 9:53. Oilers 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 5:07. Second quarter
HOU – Toni Fritsch 49-yard field goal, 8:51. Oilers 6–0. Drive: 12 plays, 35 yards, 6:09. KC – Jan Stenerud 41-yard field goal, 3:53. Oilers 6–3. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 4:58. KC – Ted McKnight 3-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 1:22. Chiefs 10–6. Drive: 5 plays, 59 yards, 1:12. Third quarter
KC – Tony Reed 19-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 9:53. Chiefs 17–6. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 5:07. Fourth quarter
HOU – Earl Campbell 1-yard run (Toni Fritsch kick), 14:23. Chiefs 17–13. Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 3:43. HOU – Earl Campbell 2-yard run (Toni Fritsch kick), 1:53. Oilers 20–17. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 4:34. Top passers Top rushers Top receivers HOU – Mike Barber – 1 reception, 17 yards KC – Tony Reed – 4 receptions, 31 yards
Week 3: at New York Giants [ edit ] Game information First quarter
Second quarter
KC – Ted McKnight 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 11:15. Giants 14–7. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:40. NYG – Larry Csonka 1-yard run (kick blocked), 0:45. Giants 20–7. Drive: 4 plays, 51 yards, 0:24. Third quarter
NYG – Joe Danelo 41-yard field goal, 0:59. Giants 23–7. Drive: 5 plays, 34 yards, 2:15. Fourth quarter
KC – Jan Stenerud 24-yard field goal, 12:27. Giants 23–10. Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 3:27. NYG – Joe Danelo 40-yard field goal, 1:06. Giants 26–10. Drive: 13 plays, 47 yards, 6:21. Top passers Top rushers Top receivers
Week 4: vs. Denver Broncos [ edit ] Week 4: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 OT Total Broncos 7 3 7 0 6 23 Chiefs 7 3 7 0 0 17
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
DEN – Jim Turner 42-yard field goal, 1:08. Broncos 10–7. Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 3:55. KC – Jan Stenerud 46-yard field goal, 0:00. Tied 10–10. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 1:08. Third quarter
KC – Tony Reed 15-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 8:47. Chiefs 17–10. Drive: 4 plays, 45 yards, 2:08. DEN – Larry Canada 3-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 2:56. Tied 17–17. Drive: 10 plays, 50 yards, 5:51. Fourth quarter
Overtime
DEN – Dave Preston 1-yard run, 4:32. Broncos 23–17. Drive: 13 plays, 60 yards, 6:43. Top passers Top rushers Top receivers DEN – Riley Odoms – 4 receptions, 60 yards, TD KC – Tony Reed – 4 receptions, 53 yards
Week 5: at Buffalo Bills [ edit ] Week 5: Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Chiefs 6 0 0 7 13 Bills 0 21 7 0 28
at Rich Stadium , Orchard Park, New York
Date : October 1Game time : 1:00 p.m. EDTGame weather : Cloudy, 65 °F (18 °C)Game attendance : 47,310Referee : Gordon McCarter TV announcers (NBC) : Marv Albert and Ed PodolakBox score
Game information First quarter
KC – Jan Stenerud 42-yard field goal, 6:19. Chiefs 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 0:56. KC – Jan Stenerud 27-yard field goal, 1:20. Chiefs 6–0. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 3:16. Second quarter
BUF – Bob Chandler 20-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Tom Dempsey kick), 7:52. Bills 7–6. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 2:17. BUF – Terry Miller 8-yard run (Tom Dempsey kick), 2:20. Bills 14–6. Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 3:51. BUF – Bob Chandler 22-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Tom Dempsey kick), 0:49. Bills 21–6. Drive: 2 plays, 63 yards, 0:54. Third quarter
BUF – Curtis Brown 22-yard run (Tom Dempsey kick), 4:50. Bills 28–6. Drive: 7 plays, 87 yards, 3:37. Fourth quarter
KC – Ted McKnight 41-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 6:16. Bills 28–13. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 1:48. Top passers Top rushers Top receivers
Week 6: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers [ edit ] Week 6: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Buccaneers 0 10 0 20 30 Chiefs 3 0 0 10 13
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Game information First quarter
KC – Jan Stenerud 25-yard field goal, 13:16. Chiefs 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 9 yards, 1:38. Second quarter
TB – Neil O'Donoghue 22-yard field goal, 6:02. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 4:12. TB – Morris Owens 10-yard pass from Doug Williams (Neil O'Donoghue kick), 0:31. Buccaneers 10–3. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 0:45. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
KC – Jan Stenerud 30-yard field goal, 13:37. Buccaneers 10–6. Drive: 14 plays, 62 yards, 7:23. TB – Jimmy DuBose 1-yard run (kick failed, wide left), 7:09. Buccaneers 16–6. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:28. TB – Louis Carter 3-yard run (Neil O'Donoghue kick), 4:20. Buccaneers 23–6. Drive: 5 plays, 23 yards, 2:10. KC – Henry Marshall 26-yard pass from Tony Adams (Jan Stenerud kick), 3:06. Buccaneers 23–13. Drive: 4 plays, 24 yards, 1:00. TB – Jimmy DuBose 1-yard run (Neil O'Donoghue kick), 1:58. Buccaneers 30–13. Drive: 5 plays, 47 yards, 1:08. Top passers Top rushers Top receivers
Week 7: at Oakland Raiders [ edit ] Game information First quarter
Second quarter
OAK – Dave Casper 4-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Errol Mann kick), 4:39. Raiders 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 50 yards, 2:28. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
OAK – Mark van Eeghen 1-yard run (Errol Mann kick), 7:39. Raiders 21–0. Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards, 4:11. OAK – Charlie Phillips 42-yard interception return (Errol Mann kick), 4:33. Raiders 28–0. KC – Larry Dorsey 16-yard pass from Tony Adams (kick blocked), 1:30. Raiders 28–6. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 2:53. Top passers Top rushers Top receivers KC – Tony Reed – 7 receptions, 91 yards OAK – Cliff Branch – 4 receptions, 76 yards
Week 8: vs. Cleveland Browns [ edit ] Week 8: Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Browns 3 0 0 0 3 Chiefs 3 7 0 7 17
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Date : October 22Game time : 1:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : Cloudy, 75 °F (24 °C)Game attendance : 41,157Referee : Jerry Markbreit TV announcers (NBC) : Jim Simpson and Paul WarfieldBox score
Game information First quarter
CLE – Don Cockroft 20-yard field goal, 11:06. Browns 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 16 yards, 3:54. KC – Jan Stenerud 21-yard field goal, 3:11. Tied 3–3. Drive: 6 plays, 24 yards, 2:10. Second quarter
KC – Arnold Morgado 8-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 2:05. Chiefs 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 86 yards, 5:22. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
KC – Arnold Morgado 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 1:57. Chiefs 17–3. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:22. Top passers Top rushers Top receivers
Week 9: at Pittsburgh Steelers [ edit ] Game information First quarter
KC – Jan Stenerud 25-yard field goal, 12:39. Chiefs 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 2:00. PIT – Franco Harris 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 6:02. Steelers 7–3. Drive: 13 plays, 77 yards, 6:37. Second quarter
PIT – Franco Harris 11-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 9:45. Steelers 14–3. Drive: 13 plays, 83 yards, 7:12. PIT – John Stallworth 23-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (kick failed, wide right), 4:36. Steelers 20–3. Drive: 6 plays, 42 yards, 3:16. Third quarter
KC – Ted McKnight 14-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 12:17. Steelers 20–10. Drive: 6 plays, 58 yards, 2:43. KC – Tony Reed 16-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 10:29. Steelers 20–17. Drive: 3 plays, 25 yards, 0:52. PIT – Donnie Shell 17-yard fumble return (Roy Gerela kick), 0:27. Steelers 27–17. Fourth quarter
KC – Arnold Morgado 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 1:56. Steelers 27–24. Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 3:31. Top passers Top rushers Top receivers
Week 10: vs Oakland Raiders [ edit ] Week 10: Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Raiders 0 7 0 13 20 Chiefs 0 0 3 7 10
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Date : November 5Game time : 1:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Overcast, 69 °F (21 °C)Game attendance : 75,418Referee : Bob FredericTV announcers (NBC) : Jay Randolph and Ed PodolakBox score
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
KC – Jan Stenerud 42-yard field goal, 8:48. Raiders 7–3. Drive: 13 plays, 45 yards, 6:12. Fourth quarter
OAK – Arthur Whittington 25-yard run (Errol Mann kick), 11:22. Raiders 14–3. Drive: 11 plays, 76 yards, 4:59. KC – Tony Reed 14-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick), 6:49. Raiders 14–10. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 2:30. OAK – Mark van Eeghen 1-yard run (kick blocked), 0:10. Raiders 20–10. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 6:39. Top passers Top rushers Top receivers
Week 11: at San Diego Chargers [ edit ] Week 11: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 OT Total Chiefs 0 6 7 10 0 23 Chargers 6 7 7 3 6 29
at San Diego Stadium , San Diego, California
Date : November 12Game time : 1:00 p.m. PSTGame weather : Clear, 64 °F (18 °C)Game attendance : 41,395Referee : Fred Wyant TV announcers (NBC) : Jay Randolph and Mike HaffnerBox score
Game information First quarter
SD – Hank Bauer 1-yard run (kick blocked), 3:49. Chargers 6–0. Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 5:18. Second quarter
KC – Jan Stenerud 39-yard field goal, 8:22. Chargers 6–3. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 4:40. SD – Hank Bauer 1-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick), 1:58. Chargers 13–3. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 6:24. KC – Jan Stenerud 20-yard field goal, 0:01. Chargers 13–6. Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 1:57. Third quarter
KC – Arnold Morgado 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 10:55. Tied 13–13. Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 3:13. SD – John Jefferson 46-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick), 5:09. Chargers 20–13. Drive: 2 plays, 52 yards, 0:49. Fourth quarter
KC – Arnold Morgado 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 5:22. Tied 20–20. Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 2:55. SD – Rolf Benirschke 28-yard field goal, 1:27. Chargers 23–20. Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 3:55. KC – Jan Stenerud 47-yard field goal, 0:02. Tied 23–23. Drive: 8 plays, 40 yards, 1:25. Overtime
SD – John Jefferson 14-yard pass from Dan Fouts, 0:00. Chargers 29–23. Drive: 7 plays, 38 yards, 1:43. Top passers Top rushers Top receivers
Week 12: vs. Seattle Seahawks [ edit ] Week 12: Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Seahawks 3 7 3 0 13 Chiefs 0 3 0 7 10
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Date : November 19Game time : 1:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Overcast, 36 °F (2 °C)Game attendance : 35,252Referee : Chuck Heberling TV announcers (NBC) : Marv Albert and Paul MaguireBox score
Game information First quarter
SEA – Efrén Herrera 40-yard field goal, 0:44. Seahawks 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 30 yards, 2:54. Second quarter
SEA – David Sims 10-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 13:56. Seahawks 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 1:01. KC – Jan Stenerud 20-yard field goal, 0:04. Seahawks 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 1:49. Third quarter
SEA – Efrén Herrera 18-yard field goal, 9:08. Seahawks 13–3. Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 5:52. Fourth quarter
Top passers Top rushers Top receivers
Week 13: vs. San Diego Chargers [ edit ] Week 13: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Chargers 0 0 0 0 0 Chiefs 0 17 3 3 23
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Date : November 26Game time : 1:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Rainy, 38 °F (3 °C)Game attendance : 26,248Referee : Ben Dreith TV announcers (NBC) : Jay Randolph and Mike HaffnerBox score
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
KC – Jan Stenerud 32-yard field goal, 7:17. Chiefs 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 2:40. KC – Henry Marshall 29-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick), 1:42. Chiefs 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 3:09. KC – Larry Dorsey 6-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick), 0:17. Chiefs 17–0. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 0:44. Third quarter
KC – Jan Stenerud 37-yard field goal, 11:12. Chiefs 20–0. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:23. Fourth quarter
KC – Jan Stenerud 35-yard field goal, 11:36. Chiefs 23–0. Drive: 8 plays, 30 yards, 4:05. Top passers Top rushers Top receivers
Week 14: vs. Buffalo Bills [ edit ] Week 14: Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Bills 0 7 3 0 10 Chiefs 7 0 7 0 14
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Date : December 3Game time : 1:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Cloudy, 21 °F (−6 °C)Game attendance : 25,781Referee : Fred Silva TV announcers (NBC) : Jay Randolph and Mike HaffnerBox score
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
BUF – Tom Dempsey 22-yard field goal, 4:22. Bills 10–7. Drive: 15 plays, 76 yards, 8:06. KC – Walter White 3-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick), 0:00. Chiefs 14–10. Drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 4:22. Fourth quarter
Top passers Top rushers Top receivers
Week 15: at Denver Broncos [ edit ] Week 15: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Chiefs 3 0 0 0 3 Broncos 7 0 10 7 24
at Mile High Stadium , Denver, Colorado
Date : December 10Game time : 2:00 p.m. MSTGame weather : Partly sunny, 35 °F (2 °C)Game attendance : 74,149Referee : Don Wedge TV announcers (NBC) : Jay Randolph and Paul MaguireBox score
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
DEN – Jim Turner 38-yard field goal, 8:41. Broncos 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 6:19. DEN – Riley Odoms 23-yard pass from Craig Morton (Jim Turner kick), 1:34. Broncos 17–3. Drive: 5 plays, 61 yards, 2:17. Fourth quarter
DEN – Riley Odoms 29-yard pass from Craig Morton (Jim Turner kick), 5:32. Broncos 24–3. Drive: 6 plays, 91 yards, 1:55. Top passers Top rushers Top receivers
Week 16: at Seattle Seahawks [ edit ] Week 16: Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total Chiefs 3 7 7 2 19 Seahawks 7 13 0 3 23
at Kingdome , Seattle, Washington
Date : December 17Game time : 1:00 p.m. PSTGame weather : None (indoor stadium)Game attendance : 58,490Referee : Bob FredericTV announcers (NBC) : Jay Randolph and Ed PodolakBox score
Game information First quarter
Second quarter
SEA – Al Hunter 1-yard run (kick blocked), 8:56. Seahawks 13–3. Drive: 12 plays, 85 yards, 4:38. SEA – Al Hunter 55-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 5:12. Seahawks 20–3. Drive: 6 plays, 86 yards, 2:00. KC – Arnold Morgado 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 1:58. Seahawks 20–10. Drive: 2 plays, 1 yard, 0:23. Third quarter
KC – Tony Reed 62-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 7:39. Seahawks 20–17. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:33. Fourth quarter
SEA – Efrén Herrera 31-yard field goal, 6:47. Seahawks 23–17. Drive: 11 plays, 56 yards, 5:42. KC – Herman Weaver OB in end zone, forced by Ed Beckman for a Safety, 0:15. Seahawks 23–19. Top passers Top rushers Top receivers
Founded in 1960 Formerly the Dallas Texans (1960–1962) Based and headquartered in Kansas City , Missouri Franchise Stadiums Key personnel Culture Lore Rivalries Wild card berths (10) Division championships (16) Conference championships (4) League championships (5) Retired numbers Media Current league affiliations Former league affiliation
Formerly the Dallas Texans (1960–1962)