61st season in franchise history; fourth Super Bowl appearance as well as second Super Bowl loss
The 2020 Kansas City Chiefs season was the Kansas City Chiefs' 51st in the National Football League (NFL), their 61st season overall and their eighth under head coach Andy Reid. The Chiefs, who entered the season as defending Super Bowl LIV champions, qualified for the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, tying a franchise record set from 1990 to 1995 and won the division for the fifth consecutive year. They finished with a franchise-record and league-leading 14 wins. The Chiefs appeared in Super Bowl LV, their second consecutive Super Bowl appearance and fourth in franchise history, but lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31–9. With the loss, the Chiefs became the sixth defending Super Bowl champion to lose the next year's game, after the 1978 Dallas Cowboys, the 1983 Washington Redskins, the 1997 Green Bay Packers, the 2014 Seattle Seahawks, and the 2017 New England Patriots.
Season summary
In the offseason, the Chiefs released the longest tenured player in franchise history, punter Dustin Colquitt, who had been with the team since 2005. Colquitt was later signed to the Chiefs practice squad shortly before the playoffs.
The biggest move of the offseason, however, was signing quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a ten-year, $503-million-dollar extension, the largest contract in American sports history.[1]
On August 17, the Chiefs announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their stadium will be filled at about 22% capacity, or about 16,000 fans. Additionally, fans in attendance will be required to wear a face covering when they are not actively eating or drinking. Season tickets were not sold, however, season ticket holders from 2019 that did not cancelled season tickets, still had the option to buy season tickets in 2021.[2]
After a 34–20 Week 3 win over the Baltimore Ravens, the Chiefs set a franchise record for consecutive wins including the playoffs with 12.[3] The streak was snapped two weeks later at 13 with a Week 5 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.[4] Following a Week 4 victory over the New England Patriots, the Chiefs became the first team in NFL history to open their season 4–0 in four consecutive seasons.[5] The Chiefs clinched their fifth consecutive AFC West title after defeating the Miami Dolphins in Week 14. The victory also gave the Chiefs their first 12–1 record in franchise history.[6] A Week 16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons gave the Chiefs their franchise record 14th win. It also clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Chiefs finished the season undefeated on the road for the first time in franchise history and with a 14–2 overall record, the best in the NFL during the season. In doing so, the Chiefs became the first team since the 2016 New England Patriots to achieve an 8-0 road record in the regular season.
Following their win in the divisional round of the playoffs against the Browns, Kansas City became the first AFC team ever to host three consecutive conference championship games, and the second team in NFL history to host three consecutive conference championships. The other team was the Philadelphia Eagles from 2002–04, who were also coached by Andy Reid.[7] The win also gave the Chiefs their 3rd consecutive season winning at least one playoff game, after losing 11 of their previous 12 playoff games. In the AFC Championship, the Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills 38–24 and advanced to Super Bowl LV, their second consecutive Super Bowl appearance and fourth all-time Super Bowl appearance. They went on to lose to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl, becoming the first team since the 2017 New England Patriots to win a Super Bowl but lose the following one the next season.
NFL Top 100
The Chiefs had six players named to the Top 100. Tight end Travis Kelce is the only player who was ranked higher than the previous season. Defending Super Bowl MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes was the highest rated Chiefs player on the list at fourth. Mahomes selection of fourth (behind fellow quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson, as well as defensive tackle Aaron Donald) drew criticism from multiple NFL analysts and fans.[8] SB Nation’s Chiefs site Arrowhead Pride said they will no longer report on the Top 100 following Mahomes being selected fourth.[9]
Offseason
Coaching staff changes
*Mike Kafka will continue serving in his role as quarterbacks coach, but will have additional duties as passing game coordinator
Players added
Below are players signed following the conclusion of the 2019 season, some of the players signed spent a portion of the 2019 NFL season on the practice squad and/or active roster.
*Indicates player finished the previous season on the Chiefs' practice squad
Players lost
Below are players who were on the roster at the end of the 2019 season, but were either released or did not re-sign after their contract expired.
Draft
Trades
- The Chiefs traded linebacker Dee Ford to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for their 2nd round draft pick (63rd overall).
- The Chiefs traded their 2nd round selection (64th overall), in addition to 2019 draft picks, to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for defensive end Frank Clark and a 2019 draft pick.
- The Chiefs traded their 6th round selection (211th overall) to the New York Jets in exchange for linebacker Darron Lee
- The Chiefs traded their 7th round selection (246th overall) to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for safety Jordan Lucas.
- The Chiefs traded their 6th round pick in 2021 NFL draft to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for their 237th pick in the 2020 draft.
Undrafted free agents
Signed and released in the offseason
Below are players who were signed and released in the offseason before playing a game for the Chiefs in the 2020 season. These players were not a part of the final roster cut downs prior to the start of the regular season.
COVID-19 opt-outs
On July 24, 2020, NFL owners and the NFL Players Association approved giving players the option to opt out of playing during the entire 2020 season as precaution due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The players listed below opted-out before the August 6 deadline and did not play.[10]
Final roster cutdown
The following players were released to bring the roster to the league mandated 53 players before week 1. In addition to the following 24 players being released, the Chiefs also placed two players on the reserve/suspended list and placed one player on the PUP list.
In-season transactions
All transactions listed in this section occurred after the Chiefs released their initial 53 player roster.
Suspensions served
The players listed below served a suspension at some point during the season. The length, reason, and weeks served are all listed below.
Signings
Practice squad elevations
*Roster status as of Super Bowl LV
Trades
Cuts
*Signed to practice squad after release
Injured reserve returns
The following players spent a portion of the season on injured reserve and were eventually activated off of it.
Staff
Final roster
Preseason cancellation
The Chiefs' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[13]
Regular season
Schedule
As the defending Super Bowl champions, the Chiefs earned the right to host the NFL Kickoff Game, which occurred on September 10. The Chiefs' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7.[13]
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Houston Texans
NFL Kickoff Game
Week 2: at Los Angeles Chargers
Week 3: at Baltimore Ravens
Week 4: vs. New England Patriots
Week 4: New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: [B]
- Game time: 6:05 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Clear, 73 °F (23 °C)
- Game attendance: 12,729
- Referee: Tony Corrente
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
- Recap, Game Book
Week 5: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Week 5: Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: October 11
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 80 °F (27 °C)
- Game attendance: 13,311
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
- Recap, Game Book
Week 6: at Buffalo Bills
Week 7: at Denver Broncos
Week 8: vs. New York Jets
Week 8: New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: November 1
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Sunny, 52 °F (11 °C)
- Game attendance: 11,932
- Referee: Land Clark
- TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins
- Recap, Game Book
Week 9: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 9: Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Week 11: at Las Vegas Raiders
Week 11: Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders – Game summary
at Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada
- Date: November 22
- Game time: 7:20 p.m. CST/5:20 p.m. PST
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 0
- Referee: Carl Cheffers
- TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
- Recap, Game Book
Week 12: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 12: Kansas City Chiefs at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: November 29
- Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST/3:25 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Clear, 81 °F (27 °C)
- Game attendance: 15,950
- Referee: Shawn Hochuli
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
- Recap, Game Book
Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 13: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: December 6
- Game time: 7:20 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Clear, 41 °F (5 °C)
- Game attendance: 12,578
- Referee: Alex Kemp
- TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
- Recap, Game Book
Week 14: at Miami Dolphins
Week 14: Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
- Date: December 13
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Sunny, 81 °F (27 °C)
- Game attendance: 13,057
- Referee: Clay Martin
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
- Recap, Game Book
Week 15: at New Orleans Saints
Week 15: Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: December 20
- Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 3,000
- Referee: Scott Novak
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
- Recap, Game Book
Week 16: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week 16: Atlanta Falcons at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: December 27
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C)
- Game attendance: 13,470
- Referee: Craig Wrolstad
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Game Book
Week 17: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 17: Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: January 3, 2021
- Game time: 3:25 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 35 °F (2 °C)
- Game attendance: 13,240
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Brock Huard and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Game Book
Standings
Division
Conference
Postseason
Schedule
Game summaries
AFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. (6) Cleveland Browns
AFC Championship: vs. (2) Buffalo Bills
AFC Championship: (2) Buffalo Bills at (1) Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: January 24, 2021
- Game time: 5:40 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 40 °F (4 °C)
- Game attendance: 16,993
- Referee: Bill Vinovich
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson, Evan Washburn and Jay Feely
- Recap, Game Book
Super Bowl LV: vs. (N5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Super Bowl LV: (A1) Kansas City Chiefs vs. (N5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida[A]
- Date: February 7, 2021
- Game time: 6:40 p.m. EST/5:40 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Clear, 63 °F (17 °C)
- Game attendance: 24,835
- Referee: Carl Cheffers
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson, Evan Washburn and Jay Feely
- Recap, Game Book
Notes
- ^ a b c Despite being played in the Buccaneers home stadium, the Super Bowl is still officially considered a neutral site game.
- ^ a b Due to positive COVID-19 tests from Chiefs' practice squad quarterback Jordan Ta'amu and Patriots' quarterback Cam Newton, the NFL announced the game would be postponed to give both teams time to see if any other players had caught the virus. Following all additional tests coming back negative, the NFL announced the game would be played on October 5.[14]
- ^ a b The Chiefs' Week 6 game at the Buffalo Bills was rescheduled from October 15 (Thursday) to October 19 (Monday), due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the Titans' organization that forced the Bills–Titans game during Week 5 to be rescheduled from October 11 to October 13.[15]
References
- ^ Patra, Kevin. "Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes agree to 10-year, $503M extension". National Football League. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ "Chiefs Announce Single-Game Ticket On-Sale Date; Finalize Health and Safety Plans for Fans at Arrowhead". Chiefs.com.
- ^ "10 Quick Facts Following the Chiefs' Week 3 Victory Over Baltimore Upon Further Review". Chiefs.com.
- ^ "10 Quick Facts Following the Chiefs' Week 3 Victory Over Baltimore | Upon Further Review". Chiefs.com.
- ^ "10 Quick Facts About the Chiefs' Week 4 Victory Over New England | Upon Further Review". Chiefs.com.
- ^ "Chiefs clinch fifth straight AFC West title with win over Dolphins; Steelers secure playoff berth". NFL.com.
- ^ Shook, Nick (January 17, 2021). "Chiefs fend off Browns to return to AFC Championship game". National Football League. NFL Enterprises LLC. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
- ^ "Twitter dumbfounded by Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes' ranking in NFL Top 100". USAToday.com. July 30, 2020.
- ^ "Arrowhead Pride to no longer cover NFL Network's "NFL Top 100". ArrowheadPride.com. July 29, 2020.
- ^ "Players opting out of 2020 NFL season because of coronavirus concerns: Tracking the full list". ESPN.com. August 6, 2020.
- ^ "Chiefs starter Bashaud Breeland hit with four-game suspension that will keep him off field until October". CBSSports.com.
- ^ "Chiefs' Mike Pennel suspended two games". NBCSports.com. August 25, 2020.
- ^ a b Shook, Nick (July 27, 2020). "Roger Goodell writes letter to NFL fans as training camps start across U.S." NFL. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- ^ Baca, Michael (October 4, 2020). "Patriots-Chiefs game rescheduled for Monday night; Falcons-Packers now at 8:50 p.m. ET". NFL. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
- ^ "NFL ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE CHANGES". NFL Communications. October 11, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
External links
