Gretz: The Immaculate Trifecta Hits!

Deberg_1990 · 01-01-2007, 12:55 AM

I guess he adjusted his original column a little bit.....LOL

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2007/01...trifecta_hits/

Oh, how Lamar Hunt would have loved the last day of the year 2006. Long odds and slim chances, those kinds of things were right up his alley.

And who’s to say that Lamar wasn’t enjoying and maybe helping out a bit from his lofty perch. It’s not sacrilegious to speculate that the Chiefs making the NFL playoffs required a bit of divine intervention.

Ironically, it would be in Denver that the Chiefs ticket to the tournament got punched. In the town were so many red and gold dreams have been punctured by a succession of good Broncos teams, the San Francisco 49ers completed the Immaculate Trifecta with an overtime victory on a Joe Nedney field goal.

Combined with New England’s earlier victory over Tennessee and Pittsburgh’s overtime decision against Cincinnati, and the Chiefs victory over Jacksonville and Herm Edwards team continues to play on.

No way, no how was something like this possible. So much had gone wrong for the Chiefs in December, it appeared a lost cause. They entered the month with a 7-4 record and they held their post-season destiny in their own hands. Then came a three-game losing streak, and the death of their founder. Plans were being made for 2007.

How we all got here, ready to go to Indianapolis for a Saturday meeting with the Colts is the product of one of the craziest, most ridiculous Sundays in Chiefs history.

First, was beating Jacksonville. No small task. The Jaguars were in the same boat as far as their playoff chances. They needed a victory and a host of other teams to lose. Jack Del Rio’s team is a physical bunch, with a stout defense and a pounding running game.

Yet, the Chiefs went out and matched the Jaguars physical play. In fact, they came out punching – in a football sense – and it allowed them to gain the game’s momentum, something they never really lost. It was all keyed on Bernard Pollard’s blocked punt and touchdown. It was a remarkable physical play by the second-round draft choice; he was actually moving backwards when he threw up his arm and blocked the Chris Hanson punt. He then chased the ball into the end zone for the touchdown.

And there was so much more after that. Trent Green kept Jacksonville in the game with interceptions and then a fumble. He also got hurt. Damon Huard led the Chiefs down the field for a touchdown. Green returned and had more problems and was booed by the home crowd. Larry Johnson set an NFL record for rushing attempts in a season and ran for over 100 yards against one of the league’s better-run defenses.

While all this was going on, the Patriots were in Nashville beating the Titans. Not much of a surprise there. But in Cincinnati, the Steelers got a lead, lost it, gained it back, saw the game tied, the Bengals missed a field goal to win and then Pittsburgh won the game in overtime.

That left the San Francisco-Denver game, probably the least likely of the Immaculate Trifecta to count on. The Broncos were playing at home, where they were once so mighty. The Niners had nothing to play for in this game.

But sometime in the next few weeks, the Chiefs will have to send Mike Nolan and his team a thank you. San Francisco went out and put a hurting on Jay Cutler and the Broncos. The Niners defense never let the Denver offense breath.

When Nedney’s field goal went through the uprights, it was the shot heard throughout the Chiefs Nation. For only the second time in the last nine years, the Chiefs will play a meaningful game in January.

The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Hammock Parties · 01-01-2007, 01:00 AM

Wow. All that happened! As if we didn't know! Thanks for letting us know, Gretz.

Halfcan · 01-01-2007, 01:06 AM

Pretty lame article-GC you could do much better-that I am certain of.

Hammock Parties · 01-01-2007, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Pretty lame article-GC you could do much better-that I am certain of.

I'm going to wax poetic about Larry Johnson. He's my muse.

**HemiEd** · 01-01-2007, 01:17 AM

It was far more than a trifecta, imacculate or otherwise. 4X4>3X3

Toad · 01-01-2007, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Wow. All that happened! As if we didn't know! Thanks for letting us know, Gretz.

He musta had a midnight deadline....

01-01-2007, 12:55 AM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	Gretz: The Immaculate Trifecta Hits! I guess he adjusted his original column a little bit.....LOL http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2007/01...trifecta_hits/ Oh, how Lamar Hunt would have loved the last day of the year 2006. Long odds and slim chances, those kinds of things were right up his alley. And who’s to say that Lamar wasn’t enjoying and maybe helping out a bit from his lofty perch. It’s not sacrilegious to speculate that the Chiefs making the NFL playoffs required a bit of divine intervention. Ironically, it would be in Denver that the Chiefs ticket to the tournament got punched. In the town were so many red and gold dreams have been punctured by a succession of good Broncos teams, the San Francisco 49ers completed the Immaculate Trifecta with an overtime victory on a Joe Nedney field goal. Combined with New England’s earlier victory over Tennessee and Pittsburgh’s overtime decision against Cincinnati, and the Chiefs victory over Jacksonville and Herm Edwards team continues to play on. No way, no how was something like this possible. So much had gone wrong for the Chiefs in December, it appeared a lost cause. They entered the month with a 7-4 record and they held their post-season destiny in their own hands. Then came a three-game losing streak, and the death of their founder. Plans were being made for 2007. How we all got here, ready to go to Indianapolis for a Saturday meeting with the Colts is the product of one of the craziest, most ridiculous Sundays in Chiefs history. First, was beating Jacksonville. No small task. The Jaguars were in the same boat as far as their playoff chances. They needed a victory and a host of other teams to lose. Jack Del Rio’s team is a physical bunch, with a stout defense and a pounding running game. Yet, the Chiefs went out and matched the Jaguars physical play. In fact, they came out punching – in a football sense – and it allowed them to gain the game’s momentum, something they never really lost. It was all keyed on Bernard Pollard’s blocked punt and touchdown. It was a remarkable physical play by the second-round draft choice; he was actually moving backwards when he threw up his arm and blocked the Chris Hanson punt. He then chased the ball into the end zone for the touchdown. And there was so much more after that. Trent Green kept Jacksonville in the game with interceptions and then a fumble. He also got hurt. Damon Huard led the Chiefs down the field for a touchdown. Green returned and had more problems and was booed by the home crowd. Larry Johnson set an NFL record for rushing attempts in a season and ran for over 100 yards against one of the league’s better-run defenses. While all this was going on, the Patriots were in Nashville beating the Titans. Not much of a surprise there. But in Cincinnati, the Steelers got a lead, lost it, gained it back, saw the game tied, the Bengals missed a field goal to win and then Pittsburgh won the game in overtime. That left the San Francisco-Denver game, probably the least likely of the Immaculate Trifecta to count on. The Broncos were playing at home, where they were once so mighty. The Niners had nothing to play for in this game. But sometime in the next few weeks, the Chiefs will have to send Mike Nolan and his team a thank you. San Francisco went out and put a hurting on Jay Cutler and the Broncos. The Niners defense never let the Denver offense breath. When Nedney’s field goal went through the uprights, it was the shot heard throughout the Chiefs Nation. For only the second time in the last nine years, the Chiefs will play a meaningful game in January. The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Posts: 66,914

01-01-2007, 01:00 AM	#2
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4730478	Wow. All that happened! As if we didn't know! Thanks for letting us know, Gretz. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,742

01-01-2007, 01:06 AM	#3
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	Pretty lame article-GC you could do much better-that I am certain of.
Posts: 43,200

01-01-2007, 01:17 AM	#5
HemiEd Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ozarks Casino cash: $3300564	It was far more than a trifecta, imacculate or otherwise. 4X4>3X3
Posts: 33,410