The Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's 22nd season in the National Football League and 32nd overall. They failed to improve on their 11âÂÂ5 record from 1990 and finished with a 10âÂÂ6 record. Compared to the Chiefs' 1990 campaign, Steve DeBergâÂÂs consistency had dropped. The running game made up for lost time as Christian Okoye ran for 1,031 yards for the season, Barry Word was productive, and rookie Harvey Williams was outstanding in limited playing time. The Chiefs defeated their division rival, the Los Angeles Raiders in the Wild Card round, resulting in the franchise's first playoff victory since Super Bowl IV in 1970. The next week, the Chiefs lost to the Buffalo Bills in the divisional playoffs.
The season began on July 27 when Jan Stenerud, the hero of Super Bowl IV, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But the Chiefs rebounded to win four straight games, including an October 7 game in which the Chiefs trounced the Buffalo Bills 33âÂÂ6. It was the Chiefs' first home Monday Night Football game since 1983. On October 13, The Chiefs blasted the Miami Dolphins 42âÂÂ7 as Christian Okoye ran for 153 yards.
On December 22, the Chiefs won 27âÂÂ21 against the Raiders. The victory gave the Chiefs a home playoff game against the team; a loss would have meant playing in Los Angeles again the following week. It was the first playoff game in Kansas City in 20 years. The Chiefs 10âÂÂ6 victory over the Raiders in the playoffs was the franchise's first postseason victory since the merger.
Quarterback Steve DeBerg completed 14 of 20 passes for 227 yards and 2 touchdowns. Barry Word rushed for 152 yards, and J. J. Birden caught 8 passes for 188 yards and 2 touchdowns. During the game, the Chiefs didn't have to punt and held the ball for almost 40 minutes.