Denverpost - K.C. Chills December Foes

Hammock Parties · 11-29-2005, 03:02 AM

K.C. chills December foes

By Mike Klis
Denver Post Staff Writer

A full-blown furnace in July might provide more comfort.

Some kid screaming on a crowded airplane would frazzle fewer nerves.

Ever been to Arrowhead Stadium in December? To Kansas City Chiefs opponents, there's not a tougher place to play.

"One of the most electric places in the league," said Broncos punter Todd Sauerbrun, who played for the Chiefs in 2000. "To go in their house and come out with a victory is going to be very big for us. I think they're playing very well on offense, from what I hear. So it's not going to be like it was last time. It's going to be a lot harder."

The Broncos (9-2) have confronted their share of daunting challenges this season while building a two-game lead in the AFC West and the second-best record in the NFL. They have played the defending Super Bowl participants, New England and Philadelphia, at home. They have played the Cowboys in Dallas on Thanksgiving. They had to rally from a 14-3 halftime deficit with the home crowd's boos ringing in their ears while playing against the explosive Chargers.

But to play the Chiefs in December at Arrowhead? Come Sunday, which is Dec. 4, the Broncos might be facing their toughest task yet. Since last losing in 1996, the Chiefs are 16-0 in home December games.

"Didn't know that, nor do I care," Sauerbrun said. "It doesn't mean anything to me. And it shouldn't matter to anybody in here."

Anybody realize how far back that streak goes? It was so long ago, the Broncos had yet to win their first Super Bowl. OK, as winning streaks go, this is more esoteric than a Fox television graphic. The Chiefs have lost at Arrowhead, including this year. The Chiefs have lost in recent Decembers, including as recently as 2003 at Invesco Field at Mile High.

It's not until December and Arrowhead are put together - perhaps the change to standard time has something to do with it? - that it equals 16 wins in a row for the Chiefs.

Still, 16 consecutive December home wins are not to be taken lightly, especially by a Broncos team that is lined up as the next opponent. Either the Broncos break the streak, or they become victim No. 17.

Win or lose, the Broncos figure to get a more competitive effort from the Chiefs than back in the third game of the season, when Denver routed Kansas City 30-10 on a Monday night.

"They're a good team, period, but they're better there," Broncos fullback Kyle Johnson said. "We're the same. They have good, loyal fans that are passionate about their Chiefs, and I think that inspires them a little bit more. I usually don't like to say a thing like that, but it's true, just like our fans inspire us. Fans are primarily what home-field advantage is all about."

Although virtually all NFL teams are better at home than away, Arrowhead in December is to the Chiefs what warm rain is to tropical plants. They were 13-3 in 2003, and 2-0 in December at home. They were only 7-9 in 2004, 8-8 in 2002 and 6-10 in 2001, but they would have been worse had they not gone a combined 7-0 in their December home games.

Is it sinking in yet? Good or bad, if the month is December and the place is Arrowhead, the Chiefs are great.

"It's just like when you go to Buffalo - it's a tough place to play," Broncos cornerback

Champ Bailey said. "Most teams play with a different attitude when you go into their backyard. That's just the way life is in this league."

Code:

Piercing Arrowhead

The Chiefs have a 16-game December winning streak at Arrowhead Stadium:

Year | Opponent | Score

2004 Broncos 45-17

2004 Raiders 31-30

2003 Lions 45-17

2003 Bears 31-3

2002 Cardinals 49-0

2002 Rams 49-10

2002 Chargers 24-22

2001 Broncos 26-23, OT

2001 Chargers 20-17

2000 Panthers 15-14

2000 Broncos 20-7

1999 Vikings 31-28

1999 Steelers 35-19

1998 Cowboys 20-17

1997 Raiders 30-0

1997 Saints 25-13

Hammock Parties · 11-29-2005, 03:06 AM

tk13 · 11-29-2005, 03:09 AM

Wow, I hadn't realized Shanahan was 2-8 in KC. All the freaking numbers and stats and trends point a Chiefs win. We gotta freaking do it. WE MUST SUCCEED!

**Rausch** · 11-29-2005, 03:14 AM

Gun.....0WNS......Shanny...

Hammock Parties · 11-29-2005, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Gun.....0WNS......Shanny...

Calling Taco John. Taco John, please report to the thread.

Hammock Parties · 11-29-2005, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

Wow, I hadn't realized Shanahan was 2-8 in KC. All the freaking numbers and stats and trends point a Chiefs win. We gotta freaking do it. WE MUST SUCCEED!

"We're going inside of 'em, we're going outside of 'em -- inside of 'em!outside of 'em!

And when we get them on the run once, we're going to keep 'em on the run.

And we're not going to pass unless their secondary comes up too close.

But don't forget, men -- we're gonna get 'em on the run, we're gonna go, go, go, go!

And we aren't going to stop until we go over that goal line! And don't forget, men -- today is the day we're gonna win.

They can't lick us -- and that's how it goes ... The first platoon men -- go in there and fight, fight, fight, fight, fight! What do you say, men?"

teedubya · 11-29-2005, 07:17 AM

um, too bad we have a 3 game home losing streak in January.

**BigRedChief** · 11-29-2005, 07:25 AM

Chiefs haven't lost in December to anyone at Arrowhead since 1996.

Denver hasn't won the second game of the head to head match up with the Chiefs at Arrowhead since 1994.

Mile High Mania · 11-29-2005, 07:34 AM

The last time Denver won in KC during the month of December... December 4, 1994. The game on Sunday is December 4, 2005.

Very interesting... makes you realize how old Elam is when you read that he was on that 1994 team. I knew he was old, but wow.

**BigRedChief** · 11-29-2005, 07:35 AM

Shanahan is 2-8 at Arrowhead.

The Broncos are 1-14 in Kansas City in December games.

Doesn't look good stat wise. But thats why they play the game, right?

MOhillbilly · 11-29-2005, 07:59 AM

who cares about stats.

its a must win from here on out.

AlWilsonizKING · 11-29-2005, 08:26 AM

All signs I'm seein' point to a KC loss!!!!!

"And that's the truth!!" -Edith El

PEACE!!!

ROYC75 · 11-29-2005, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlWilsonizKING

All signs I'm seein' point to a KC loss!!!!!

"And that's the truth!!" -Edith El

PEACE!!!

So says a trolling n00b...........

Dr. Johnny Fever · 11-29-2005, 08:47 AM

I'm with Mohillbilly on this one. Beating Denver will be tough... period. I don't care what any stat says... and I certainly hope the players don't give the stats the time of day.

**the Talking Can** · 11-29-2005, 09:07 AM

stats are nice, but they having nothing to do with the outcome of the game...

11-29-2005, 03:02 AM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4720478	Denverpost - K.C. Chills December Foes K.C. chills December foes By Mike Klis Denver Post Staff Writer A full-blown furnace in July might provide more comfort. Some kid screaming on a crowded airplane would frazzle fewer nerves. Ever been to Arrowhead Stadium in December? To Kansas City Chiefs opponents, there's not a tougher place to play. "One of the most electric places in the league," said Broncos punter Todd Sauerbrun, who played for the Chiefs in 2000. "To go in their house and come out with a victory is going to be very big for us. I think they're playing very well on offense, from what I hear. So it's not going to be like it was last time. It's going to be a lot harder." The Broncos (9-2) have confronted their share of daunting challenges this season while building a two-game lead in the AFC West and the second-best record in the NFL. They have played the defending Super Bowl participants, New England and Philadelphia, at home. They have played the Cowboys in Dallas on Thanksgiving. They had to rally from a 14-3 halftime deficit with the home crowd's boos ringing in their ears while playing against the explosive Chargers. But to play the Chiefs in December at Arrowhead? Come Sunday, which is Dec. 4, the Broncos might be facing their toughest task yet. Since last losing in 1996, the Chiefs are 16-0 in home December games. "Didn't know that, nor do I care," Sauerbrun said. "It doesn't mean anything to me. And it shouldn't matter to anybody in here." Anybody realize how far back that streak goes? It was so long ago, the Broncos had yet to win their first Super Bowl. OK, as winning streaks go, this is more esoteric than a Fox television graphic. The Chiefs have lost at Arrowhead, including this year. The Chiefs have lost in recent Decembers, including as recently as 2003 at Invesco Field at Mile High. It's not until December and Arrowhead are put together - perhaps the change to standard time has something to do with it? - that it equals 16 wins in a row for the Chiefs. Still, 16 consecutive December home wins are not to be taken lightly, especially by a Broncos team that is lined up as the next opponent. Either the Broncos break the streak, or they become victim No. 17. Win or lose, the Broncos figure to get a more competitive effort from the Chiefs than back in the third game of the season, when Denver routed Kansas City 30-10 on a Monday night. "They're a good team, period, but they're better there," Broncos fullback Kyle Johnson said. "We're the same. They have good, loyal fans that are passionate about their Chiefs, and I think that inspires them a little bit more. I usually don't like to say a thing like that, but it's true, just like our fans inspire us. Fans are primarily what home-field advantage is all about." Although virtually all NFL teams are better at home than away, Arrowhead in December is to the Chiefs what warm rain is to tropical plants. They were 13-3 in 2003, and 2-0 in December at home. They were only 7-9 in 2004, 8-8 in 2002 and 6-10 in 2001, but they would have been worse had they not gone a combined 7-0 in their December home games. Is it sinking in yet? Good or bad, if the month is December and the place is Arrowhead, the Chiefs are great. "It's just like when you go to Buffalo - it's a tough place to play," Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey said. "Most teams play with a different attitude when you go into their backyard. That's just the way life is in this league." Code: Piercing Arrowhead The Chiefs have a 16-game December winning streak at Arrowhead Stadium: Year \| Opponent \| Score 2004 Broncos 45-17 2004 Raiders 31-30 2003 Lions 45-17 2003 Bears 31-3 2002 Cardinals 49-0 2002 Rams 49-10 2002 Chargers 24-22 2001 Broncos 26-23, OT 2001 Chargers 20-17 2000 Panthers 15-14 2000 Broncos 20-7 1999 Vikings 31-28 1999 Steelers 35-19 1998 Cowboys 20-17 1997 Raiders 30-0 1997 Saints 25-13
Posts: 277,840

11-29-2005, 03:06 AM	#2
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4720478	__________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,840

11-29-2005, 03:09 AM	#3
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1992500	Wow, I hadn't realized Shanahan was 2-8 in KC. All the freaking numbers and stats and trends point a Chiefs win. We gotta freaking do it. WE MUST SUCCEED!
Posts: 54,944

11-29-2005, 07:17 AM	#7
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9480002	um, too bad we have a 3 game home losing streak in January.
Posts: 36,651

11-29-2005, 07:25 AM	#8
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3149627 VARSITY	Chiefs haven't lost in December to anyone at Arrowhead since 1996. Denver hasn't won the second game of the head to head match up with the Chiefs at Arrowhead since 1994. __________________ Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. -YODA
Posts: 79,010

11-29-2005, 07:34 AM	#9
Mile High Mania #triggering Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Tejas Casino cash: $3687229	The last time Denver won in KC during the month of December... December 4, 1994. The game on Sunday is December 4, 2005. Very interesting... makes you realize how old Elam is when you read that he was on that 1994 team. I knew he was old, but wow. __________________
Posts: 30,283

11-29-2005, 07:35 AM	#10
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $3149627 VARSITY	Shanahan is 2-8 at Arrowhead. The Broncos are 1-14 in Kansas City in December games. Doesn't look good stat wise. But thats why they play the game, right? __________________ Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering. -YODA
Posts: 79,010

11-29-2005, 07:59 AM	#11
MOhillbilly Mama Tried Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Missouri Casino cash: $9949903	who cares about stats. its a must win from here on out.
Posts: 23,371

11-29-2005, 08:26 AM	#12
AlWilsonizKING Banned Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Aurora, CO BABY!!!! Casino cash: $10004900	All signs I'm seein' point to a KC loss!!!!! "And that's the truth!!" -Edith El PEACE!!!
Posts: 67

11-29-2005, 08:47 AM	#14
Dr. Johnny Fever stax of wax Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	I'm with Mohillbilly on this one. Beating Denver will be tough... period. I don't care what any stat says... and I certainly hope the players don't give the stats the time of day. __________________ courtesy of BoneKrusher "Baseball? It's just a game. As simple as a ball and bat, yet as complex as the American spirit it symbolizes. It's a sport, a business and sometimes a religion." Ernie Harwell
Posts: 34,865

11-29-2005, 09:07 AM	#15
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $10022208	stats are nice, but they having nothing to do with the outcome of the game... __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585