NFL’s 30 best teams that didn’t win the Super Bowl
This is a team that will forever be known for losing the longest game in NFL history, better known as the “Christmas Day Game.” The Chiefs had won the Super Bowl as underdogs in 1969 against the Minnesota Vikings before missing the playoffs the following year. In 1971, Kansas City came out with renewed purpose and looked like the best team in football with a 10-3-1 record led by Len Dawson, Otis Taylor and a brilliant defense that featured five Hall of Famers.
The Chiefs were the top seed in the AFC playoffs and took on the Miami Dolphins in the opening round, a team in only its fifth year of existence. Miami came into the game as a decided underdog but was able to defeat the Chiefs in double overtime, despite Kansas City running back Ed Podolak totaling 350 total yards. Hall of Fame kicker Jan Stenerud missed three field goals in the contest, allowing the Dolphins to win 27-24.
This marked the beginning of the end for a team that including its coach, had eight Hall of Famers on the field that day. The Chiefs were able to post an 8-6 mark in 1972 but did not return to the playoffs until 1986, and did not win another AFC West title until 1993.
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