Kansas City Chiefs Win With Ironic Backwards Finish

By Aaron Charles @aaroncharleskc on October 19, 2014

Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs infuriated Pittsburgh Steelers fans by starting a team of reserves in Week 17 against the San Diego Chargers. The Steelers would’ve made the playoffs if the Chargers lost, and it was a win-and-in situation for San Diego.

The Chiefs’ backups somehow got the team in position for a game-winning field goal from 41 yards out with eight seconds on the clock. Kicker Ryan Succop shanked it, and the Chargers went on to win in overtime by a score of 27-24.

Fast forward to the 2014 OTAs — Kansas City signed undrafted free agent Cairo Santos to compete with Succop for his job. Neither player really jumped ahead of the other, but Santos was cheaper, so Kansas City went with him.

After a shaky first couple of weeks to the regular season, Santos settled in a bit. Now fast forward to Sunday evening — in the same city and same stadium, Santos had an opportunity to win the game in the final seconds, just like his predecessor.

There were a couple of differences this time around. First, Santos had to make the kick from 48 yards out. Second difference, this game mattered big time for the Chiefs. The most important difference: Santos made it.

The rookie, who was most likely chosen to save a few bucks, showed up the man he beat out for the job by making his most memorable kick where Succop missed his most memorable kick.

Thanks to Santos’ clutch shot, Kansas City has come out of a brutal stretch of the schedule 3-3, and in great position to make a run for the postseason. Unfortunately for Steelers fans, the opposite ending this time around probably didn’t benefit them at all.

Aaron Charles is a Kansas City Chiefs writer for www.rantsports.com. Follow him on twitter @aaroncharleskc or add him to your network on Google