1987 Kansas City Chiefs season

The 1987 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's 18th season in the National Football League and the 28th overall. Under new head coach Frank Gansz, the Chiefs split their first two games, 1-1. The 1987 NFL season featured games predominantly played by replacement players, as the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) players went on strike from weeks four to six with week three being cancelled across the league. The replacement players went 0–3. After the regulars returned, the Chiefs continued to struggle. They lost their next five games to stand at 1–9 and finished the season with a 4–11 record a year after making the playoffs in 1986.

1987 Kansas City Chiefs season
Owner	Lamar Hunt
General manager	Jim Schaaf
Head coach	Frank Gansz
Home field	Arrowhead Stadium
Results
Record	4–11
Division place	5th AFC West
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	4 WR Carlos Carson DT Bill Maas CB Albert Lewis S Deron Cherry
AP All-Pros	None
← 1986 Chiefs seasons 1988 →

Offseason

One of the most tumultuous weeks in franchise history took place following the club's playoff loss against the Jets in the 1986 playoffs. Assistant head coach and special teams coach Frank Gansz, resigned his position on January 7 in order to pursue opportunities as an NFL offensive coordinator.^[1] The following day, the Chiefs announced in an impromptu press conference that John Mackovic was relieved of his duties as head coach on January 8. A popular figure among Chiefs players, Gansz was reinstated on January 10 and was named the sixth head coach in franchise history.^[1]

Former quarterback Len Dawson became the third Chiefs player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 8,^[1] while injuries forced the retirement of the club's all-time leading tackler Gary Spani.

NFL draft

Main article: 1987 NFL draft

1987 Kansas City Chiefs draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1	19	Paul Palmer	Running back	Temple
2	35	Christian Okoye *	Fullback	Azusa Pacific
3	73	Todd Howard	Linebacker	Texas A&M
5	128	Kitrick Taylor	Wide receiver	Washington State
7	186	Doug Hudson	Quarterback	Nicholls State
8	218	Michael Clemons	Running back	William & Mary
9	244	Randy Watts	Defensive end	Catawba
10	271	James Evans	Running back	Southern
11	298	Craig Richardson	Wide receiver	Eastern Washington
12	325	Bruce Holmes	Linebacker	Minnesota
Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

^[2]

Personnel

Staff

1987 Kansas City Chiefs staff

Front office Founder – Lamar Hunt President – Jack Steadman Vice president/general manager – Jim Schaaf Director of pro personnel – Whitey Dovell Director of college scouting – Les Miller Coordinator of college scouting – Greg Mohns Head coaches Head coach – Frank Gansz Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks – Homer Smith Running backs – Billie Matthews Wide receivers – Dick Wood Offensive line – Carl Mauck Offensive quality control/tight ends – JD Helm

Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator/linebackers – John Paul Young Defensive line – Don Lawrence Defensive backs – Dave Brazil Defensive quality control/linebackers – Mark Hatley Special teams coaches Special teams – Ed Beckman Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning coordinator – CT Hewgley

Replacement players

After the league decided to use replacement players during the NFLPA strike, the following team was assembled:

1987 Kansas City Chiefs replacement roster
Quarterbacks 1 Matt Stevens 11 Doug Hudson 11 Sandy Osiecki 12 Alex Espinoza Running backs 21 Ralph Stockemer 39 Steve Griffin 40 Ken Lacy 41 Woodie Pippens 42 Lloyd Murray 43 Robert Parker 47 Chris Smith Wide receivers 82 Nate Blanks 83 John Trahan 84 Richard Estell 85 Kenny Nash 86 Eric Brown 87 David Montagne 89 Eric Hodges Tight ends 80 Stein Koss 81 Rod Jones 88 Riley Walton		Offensive linemen 52 John Aimonetti 58 Arland Thompson 62 James Boyd 64 James Harvey 65 Kevin Adkins 66 Dan Doubiago 70 Mark Nelson 71 Lee Getz 77 Steve Rogers 79 Doug Hoppock Defensive linemen 60 Chris Lindstrom 68 Terry Summers 69 James Black 90 Jeff Faulkner 91 Lloyd Mumphrey 92 Keith Guthrie 98 John Walker		Linebackers 50 Gary Moten 92 Bob Harris 57 Bruce Holmes 94 Gary Spann 95 Randy Frazier 96 Fred Jones 97 Tony Holloway Defensive backs 23 Kevin Wyatt 25 Jack Epps 26 Cornelius Dozier 27 Blane Smith 38 Carlton Thomas 40 Jitter Fields 41 Chris Evans 45 Trent Bryant 48 Jeff Colter 48 Garcia Lane 49 Teddy Nelson Special teams 2 Kelly Goodburn P 3 Paul Woodside K 4 James Hamrick K

Final roster

1987 Kansas City Chiefs roster

Quarterbacks (QB) 14 Todd Blackledge 11 Doug Hudson  9 Bill Kenney 10 Frank Seurer Running backs (RB) 46 Michael Clemons 44 Herman Heard 32 Larry Moriarty 35 Christian Okoye FB 26 Paul Palmer Wide receivers (WR) 88 Carlos Carson 81 Darrell Colbert 89 Henry Marshall 83 Stephone Paige Tight ends (TE) 84 Paul Coffman 85 Jonathan Hayes 80 Mark Keel

Offensive linemen (OL) 61 Mark Adickes G 77 Rich Baldinger G 58 Tom Baugh C 51 Rick Donnalley C 75 Irv Eatman T 52 Glenn Hyde G 60 Byron Ingram G 73 Brian Jozwiak T 72 Dave Lutz T Defensive linemen (DL) 99 Mike Bell DE 98 Leonard Griffin DE 93 Eric Holle DT 74 Pete Koch DT 63 Bill Maas DT 67 Art Still DE 70 Ray Woodard DE

Linebackers (LB) 54 Tim Cofield 55 Louis Cooper LB 50 Jack Del Rio 56 Dino Hackett ILB 57 James Harrell 53 Todd Howard 96 Aaron Pearson 52 Angelo Snipes Defensive backs (DB) 34 Lloyd Burruss SS 20 Deron Cherry FS 22 Sherman Cocroft 29 Albert Lewis CB 24 J. C. Pearson CB 30 Mark Robinson 31 Kevin Ross CB Special teams  2 Kelly Goodburn P  8 Nick Lowery K

Reserve 76 John Alt T (IR) 87 Walt Arnold TE (IR) 86 Emile Harry WR (IR) 82 Kitrick Taylor WR (IR) Rookies in italics

Season summary

A duo of rookies made a splash in a 20–13 win on Opening Day against San Diego as running back Paul Palmer returned a kickoff for a TD and Christian Okoye dashed for 105 yards.^[1] A 24-day players strike began on September 22, canceling the club's contest against Minnesota.^[1] Replacement players participated in games for the next three weeks. Much like Marv Levy five years earlier, Gansz's grip on the club's coaching reins was crippled by the labor unrest.^[1]

Kansas City's replacement squad consisted primarily of players cut in training camp. One of the few bright spots among the players was running back Jitter Fields, who remained on the active roster following the strike.^[1] The Chiefs strike squad received an ominous welcome in Los Angeles when in the early morning hours of October 4, the day prior to a contest against the Raiders, an earthquake rattled Southern California. The shaken Chiefs lost a 35–17 decision later that day. The low point of the year came the following week at Miami in the first regular season game played at what then was known as Joe Robbie Stadium. Chiefs replacement QB Matt Stevens was injured early in the contest, forcing into duty backup quarterback Alex Espinoza, who had never taken an NFL snap. The result was a 42–0 Dolphins victory, setting the stage for an 0–3 performance by Kansas City's replacement unit, giving the Chiefs a 1–4 record before the club's regular roster returned at San Diego on October 25.^[1] Five straight losses followed, giving the Chiefs a team-record nine-game losing skid. For the only time in team history, five different players started games at quarterback for the club.^[1] Behind Kenney, Kansas City won two of its last three games to conclude the strike-shortened 4–11 campaign.

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
HOF	August 8	vs. San Francisco 49ers	L 7–20	0–1	Fawcett Stadium (Canton, Ohio)	23,826	Recap
1	August 13	at Houston Oilers	W 32–20	1–1	Houston Astrodome	30,147	Recap
2	August 22	Atlanta Falcons	W 13–10	2–1	Arrowhead Stadium	39,164	Recap
3	August 29	Buffalo Bills	W 34–14	3–1	Arrowhead Stadium	43,887	Recap
4	September 6	vs. St. Louis Cardinals	W 13–10 (OT)	4–1	Liberty Bowl (Memphis, TN)	62,353	Recap

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
1	September 13	San Diego Chargers	W 20–13	1–0	Arrowhead Stadium	56,940	Recap
2	September 20	at Seattle Seahawks	L 14–43	1–1	Kingdome	61,667	Recap
3	September 27	Minnesota Vikings	Cancelled due to players' strike
4	October 4	at Los Angeles Raiders	L 17–35	1–2	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	10,708	Recap
5	October 11	at Miami Dolphins	L 0–42	1–3	Joe Robbie Stadium	25,867	Recap
6	October 18	Denver Broncos	L 17–26	1–4	Arrowhead Stadium	20,296	Recap
7	October 25	at San Diego Chargers	L 21–42	1–5	Jack Murphy Stadium	47,972	Recap
8	November 1	at Chicago Bears	L 28–31	1–6	Soldier Field	63,498	Recap
9	November 8	Pittsburgh Steelers	L 16–17	1–7	Arrowhead Stadium	45,249	Recap
10	November 15	New York Jets	L 9–16	1–8	Arrowhead Stadium	40,718	Recap
11	November 22	Green Bay Packers	L 3–23	1–9	Arrowhead Stadium	34,611	Recap
12	November 26	at Detroit Lions	W 27–20	2–9	Pontiac Silverdome	43,820	Recap
13	December 6	at Cincinnati Bengals	L 27–30 (OT)	2–10	Riverfront Stadium	46,489	Recap
14	December 13	Los Angeles Raiders	W 16–10	3–10	Arrowhead Stadium	63,834	Recap
15	December 19	at Denver Broncos	L 17–20	3–11	Mile High Stadium	75,053	Recap
16	December 27	Seattle Seahawks	W 41–20	4–11	Arrowhead Stadium	20,370	Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. San Diego Chargers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	0	3	10	13
Chiefs	3	7	0	10	20

Game information

First quarter KC – Nick Lowery 25-yard field goal, 1:23. Chiefs 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 46 yards, 6:10. Second quarter KC – Christian Okoye 45-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 2:56. Chiefs 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:14. Third quarter SD – Vince Abbott 32-yard field goal, 7:47. Chiefs 10–3. Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 7:13. Fourth quarter KC – Nick Lowery 29-yard field goal, 12:45. Chiefs 13–3. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 5:48. SD – Gary Anderson 34-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Vince Abbott kick), 7:37. Chiefs 13–10. Drive: 6 plays, 77 yards, 1:35. SD – Vince Abbott 33-yard field goal, 3:37. Tie 13–13. Drive: 7 plays, 15 yards, 2:57. KC – Paul Palmer 85-yard kickoff return (Nick Lowery kick), 3:19. Chiefs 20–13. Top passers SD – Dan Fouts – 21/39, 270 yards, TD, 2 INT KC – Todd Blackledge – 6/15, 79 yards, INT Top rushers SD – Gary Anderson – 12 rushes, 43 yards KC – Christian Okoye – 21 rushes, 105 yards, TD Top receivers SD – Lionel James – 6 receptions, 100 yards KC – Stephone Paige – 2 receptions, 29 yards

Week 1: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: September 13
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Sunny, 74 °F (23 °C)
• Game attendance: 56,940
• Referee: Pat Haggerty
• TV announcers (NBC): Gary Gerould and Sam Rutigliano
• Recap, Game Book

Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	7	0	7	14
Seahawks	3	14	20	6	43

Game information

First quarter SEA – Norm Johnson 34-yard field goal, 7:16. Seahawks 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 29 yards, 4:18. Second quarter SEA – Daryl Turner 9-yard pass from Dave Krieg (Norm Johnson kick), 9:47. Seahawks 10–0. Drive: 3 plays, 15 yards, 1:35. KC – Carlos Carson 10-yard pass from Todd Blackledge (Nick Lowery kick), 3:56. Seahawks 10–7. Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards, 5:42. SEA – Daryl Turner 17-yard pass from Dave Krieg (Norm Johnson kick), 0:51. Seahawks 17–7. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 2:56. Third quarter SEA – Mike Tice 2-yard pass from Dave Krieg (Norm Johnson kick), 10:06. Seahawks 24–7. Drive: 7 plays, 25 yards, 2:33. SEA – Norm Johnson 25-yard field goal, 8:05. Seahawks 27–7. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:00. SEA – John Williams 1-yard run (Norm Johnson kick), 4:42. Seahawks 34–7. Drive: 4 plays, 57 yards, 2:15. SEA – Norm Johnson 46-yard field goal, 0:43. Seahawks 37–7. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards, 2:28. Fourth quarter SEA – Norm Johnson 27-yard field goal, 8:28. Seahawks 40–7. Drive: 9 plays, 41 yards, 6:25. SEA – Norm Johnson 49-yard field goal, 4:15. Seahawks 43–7. Drive: 5 plays, 15 yards, 2:18. KC – Carlos Carson 10-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 1:07. Seahawks 43–14. Drive: 9 plays, 64 yards, 2:49. Top passers KC – Bill Kenney – 6/11, 75 yards, TD, INT SEA – Dave Krieg – 16/22, 152 yards, 3 TD Top rushers KC – Christian Okoye – 11 rushes, 30 yards SEA – John Williams – 15 rushes, 112 yards, TD Top receivers KC – Carlos Carson – 5 receptions, 83 yards, 2 TD SEA – Ray Butler – 4 receptions, 50 yards

Week 2: Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary

at Kingdome, Seattle, Washington

• Date: September 20
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. PDT
• Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
• Game attendance: 61,667
• Referee: Fred Silva
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen
• Recap, Game Book

Week 4: at Los Angeles Raiders

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	0	14	3	17
Raiders	14	7	7	7	35

Game information

First quarter RAI – Carl Aikens 27-yard pass from Vince Evans (David Hardy kick), 14:05. Raiders 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 31 yards, 0:42. RAI – Craig Ellis 2-yard run (David Hardy kick), 9:32. Raiders 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 2:55. Second quarter RAI – Vince Evans 4-yard run (David Hardy kick), 10:04. Raiders 21–0. Drive: 6 plays, 82 yards, 4:11. Third quarter KC – Bob Harris 23-yard return of blocked punt (James Hamrick kick), 9:27. Raiders 21–7. RAI – Ethan Horton 32-yard pass from Vince Evans (David Hardy kick), 5:06. Raiders 28–7. Drive: 7 plays, 89 yards, 4:21. KC – Rod Jones 4-yard pass from Matt Stevens (James Hamrick kick), 0:59. Raiders 28–14. Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 4:07. Fourth quarter RAI – Craig Ellis 8-yard run (David Hardy kick), 14:44. Raiders 35–14. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 1:15. KC – James Hamrick 40-yard field goal, 8:11. Raiders 35–17. Drive: 12 plays, 54 yards, 6:33. Top passers KC – Matt Stevens – 14/25, 162 yards, TD RAI – Vince Evans – 10/18, 148 yards, 2 TD Top rushers KC – Ken Lacy – 13 rushes, 45 yards RAI – Craig Ellis – 12 rushes, 70 yards, 2 TD Top receivers KC – Eric Brown – 5 receptions, 69 yards RAI – Greg Lathan – 2 receptions, 66 yards

Week 4: Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Raiders – Game summary

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

• Date: October 4
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. PDT
• Game weather: Clear, 106 °F (41 °C)
• Game attendance: 10,708
• Referee: Ben Dreith
• TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Jimmy Cefalo
• Recap, Game Book

Week 5: at Miami Dolphins

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	0	0	0	0
Dolphins	7	7	21	7	42

Game information

First quarter MIA – Rickey Isom 6-yard run (Willie Beecher kick), 6:01. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 54 yards, 3:28. Second quarter MIA – Ronald Scott 2-yard run (Willie Beecher kick), 2:53. Dolphins 14–0. Drive: 13 plays, 82 yards, 5:30. Third quarter MIA – Ronald Scott 4-yard run (Willie Beecher kick), 11:54. Dolphins 21–0. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 3:06. MIA – Liffort Hobley 55-yard fumble return (Willie Beecher kick), 11:18. Dolphins 28–0. MIA – Trell Hooper 59-yard fumble return (Willie Beecher kick), 8:27. Dolphins 35–0. Fourth quarter MIA – Ronald Scott 3-yard run (Willie Beecher kick), 10:11. Dolphins 42–0. Drive: 13 plays, 81 yards, 7:48. Top passers KC – Alex Espinoza – 9/14, 69 yards, 2 INT MIA – Kyle Mackey – 14/28, 127 yards Top rushers KC – Robert Parker – 20 rushes, 46 yards MIA – Ronald Scott – 18 rushes, 99 yards, 3 TD Top receivers KC – Chris Smith – 2 receptions, 21 yards MIA – Lawrence Sampleton – 5 receptions, 45 yards

Week 5: Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins – Game summary

at Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami, Florida

• Date: October 11
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Cloudy, 79 °F (26 °C)
• Game attendance: 25,867
• Referee: Jerry Seeman
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen
• Recap, Game Book

Week 6: vs. Denver Broncos

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	9	10	0	7	26
Chiefs	7	7	3	0	17

Game information

First quarter DEN – Doug Hudson tackled in end zone by Jim Ryan for a Safety, 10:48. Broncos 2–0. DEN – Bobby Micho 26-yard pass from Ken Karcher (Mike Clendenen kick), 7:08. Broncos 9–0. Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 3:29. KC – Jitter Fields 85-yard punt return (James Hamrick kick), 3:08. Broncos 9–7. Second quarter DEN – Mike Clendenen 35-yard field goal, 13:25. Broncos 12–7. Drive: 12 plays, 59 yards, 4:43. KC – Robert Parker 4-yard run (James Hamrick kick), 9:23. Chiefs 14–12. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 3:54. DEN – Shane Swanson 35-yard pass from Ken Karcher (Mike Clendenen kick), 0:37. Broncos 19–14. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 4:49. Third quarter KC – James Hamrick 25-yard field goal, 9:34. Broncos 19–17. Drive: 12 plays, 39 yards, 5:09. Fourth quarter DEN – Bobby Micho 5-yard pass from Ken Karcher (Mike Clendenen kick), 10:35. Broncos 26–17. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 2:30. Top passers DEN – Ken Karcher – 25/39, 275 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT KC – Matt Stevens – 17/28, 148 yards, INT Top rushers DEN – Nathan Poole – 18 rushes, 63 yards KC – Robert Parker – 15 rushes, 65 yards, TD Top receivers DEN – Bobby Micho – 9 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TD KC – Rod Jones – 5 receptions, 51 yards

Week 6: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: October 18
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Sunny, 71 °F (22 °C)
• Game attendance: 20,296
• Referee: Jerry Markbreit
• TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Bob Trumpy
• Recap, Game Book

Week 7: at San Diego Chargers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	14	7	0	21
Chargers	14	21	0	7	42

Game information

First quarter SD – Wes Chandler 10-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Vince Abbott kick), 9:46. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:14. SD – Gary Anderson 1-yard run (Vince Abbott kick), 0:10. Chargers 14–0. Drive: 11 plays, 91 yards, 5:41. Second quarter SD – Les Miller fumble recovery in endzone (Vince Abbott kick), 11:26. Chargers 21–0. SD – Dan Fouts 1-yard run (Vince Abbott kick), 6:23. Chargers 28–0. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 2:51. KC – Carlos Carson 14-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 4:34. Chargers 28–7. Drive: 7 plays, 78 yards, 1:49. SD – Kellen Winslow 19-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Vince Abbott kick), 1:17. Chargers 35–7. Drive: 7 plays, 71 yards, 3:17. KC – Carlos Carson 63-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 1:03. Chargers 35–14. Drive: 1 play, 63 yards, 0:14. Third quarter KC – Christian Okoye 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 7:37. Chargers 35–21. Drive: 6 plays, 93 yards, 2:01. Fourth quarter SD – Gary Anderson 1-yard run (Vince Abbott kick), 11:44. Chargers 42–21. Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 3:51. Top passers KC – Bill Kenney – 22/37, 328 yards, 2 TD, INT SD – Dan Fouts – 24/34, 293 yards, 2 TD Top rushers KC – Christian Okoye – 8 rushes, 44 yards, TD SD – Lionel James – 6 rushes, 40 yards Top receivers KC – Carlos Carson – 9 receptions, 197 yards, 2 TD SD – Lionel James – 5 receptions, 72 yards

Week 7: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: October 25
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. PST
• Game weather: Overcast, 72 °F (22 °C)
• Game attendance: 47,972
• Referee: Bob Frederic
• TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Dave Casper
• Recap, Game Book

Week 8: at Chicago Bears

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	14	7	7	0	28
Bears	7	7	3	14	31

Game information

First quarter KC – Carlos Carson 29-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 9:18. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 81 yards, 5:42. KC – Jonathan Hayes 15-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 5:19. Chiefs 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 2:59. CHI – Dennis Gentry 88-yard kickoff return (Kevin Butler kick), 5:00. Chiefs 14–7. Second quarter CHI – Cap Boso 28-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Kevin Butler kick), 5:05. Tied 14–14. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:15. KC – Larry Moriarty 4-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 0:00. Chiefs 21–14. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 5:05. Third quarter KC – Stephone Paige 43-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 11:43. Chiefs 28–14. Drive: 4 plays, 57 yards, 1:33. CHI – Kevin Butler 27-yard field goal, 2:30. Chiefs 28–17. Drive: 10 plays, 49 yards, 3:38. Fourth quarter CHI – Willie Gault 25-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Kevin Butler kick), 13:23. Chiefs 28–24. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 2:23. CHI – Willie Gault 38-yard pass from Jim McMahon (Kevin Butler kick), 4:44. Bears 31–28. Drive: 9 plays, 79 yards, 4:32. Top passers KC – Bill Kenney – 15/28, 270 yards, 4 TD, INT CHI – Jim McMahon – 23/34, 287 yards, 3 TD, INT Top rushers KC – Christian Okoye – 22 rushes, 93 yards CHI – Neal Anderson – 17 rushes, 59 yards Top receivers KC – Stephone Paige – 5 receptions, 121 yards, TD CHI – Willie Gault – 4 receptions, 98 yards, 2 TD

Week 8: Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears – Game summary

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

• Date: November 1
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Fog, 62 °F (17 °C)
• Game attendance: 63,498
• Referee: Tom Dooley
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Paul Maguire
• Recap, Game Book

Week 9: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	0	7	7	3	17
Chiefs	7	3	0	6	16

Game information

First quarter KC – Bill Maas 6-yard fumble return (Nick Lowery kick), 13:45. Chiefs 7–0. Second quarter PIT – Rodney Carter 4-yard pass from Mark Malone (Gary Anderson kick), 3:59. Tied 7–7. Drive: 13 plays, 90 yards, 6:30. KC – Nick Lowery 41-yard field goal, 0:32. Chiefs 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 14 yards, 1:16. Third quarter PIT – Rodney Carter 26-yard pass from Mark Malone (Gary Anderson kick), 9:55. Steelers 14–10. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 5:05. Fourth quarter KC – Nick Lowery 27-yard field goal, 14:40. Steelers 14–13. Drive: 6 plays, 17 yards, 2:04. KC – Nick Lowery 38-yard field goal, 10:36. Chiefs 16–14. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 2:18. PIT – Gary Anderson 44-yard field goal, 4:02. Steelers 17–16. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 1:48. Top passers PIT – Mark Malone – 14/31, 157 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT KC – Bill Kenney – 14/29, 155 yards, 4 INT Top rushers PIT – Earnest Jackson – 23 rushes, 125 yards KC – Christian Okoye – 19 rushes, 72 yards Top receivers PIT – John Stallworth – 6 receptions, 66 yards KC – Carlos Carson – 5 receptions, 70 yards

Week 9: Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: November 8
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Sunny, 62 °F (17 °C)
• Game attendance: 45,249
• Referee: Jim Tunney
• TV announcers (NBC): Tom Hammond and Michael Jackson
• Recap, Game Book

Week 10: vs. New York Jets

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets	3	0	3	10	16
Chiefs	0	3	6	0	9

Game information

First quarter NYJ – Pat Leahy 39-yard field goal, 2:03. Jets 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 33 yards, 4:13. Second quarter KC – Nick Lowery 42-yard field goal, 12:44. Tied 3–3. Drive: 10 plays, 50 yards, 4:09. Third quarter KC – Nick Lowery 43-yard field goal, 10:58. Chiefs 6–3. Drive: 6 plays, 34 yards, 4:02. NYJ – Pat Leahy 24-yard field goal, 5:43. Tied 6–6. Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 5:05. KC – Nick Lowery 18-yard field goal, 0:31. Chiefs 9–6. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 5:12. Fourth quarter NYJ – Al Toon 18-yard pass from Ken O'Brien (Pat Leahy kick), 11:04. Jets 13–9. Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 4:25. NYJ – Pat Leahy 21-yard field goal, 2:19. Jets 16–9. Drive: 8 plays, 32 yards, 4:58. Top passers NYJ – Ken O'Brien – 14/22, 132 yards, TD KC – Frank Seurer – 13/23, 233 yards, 3 INT Top rushers NYJ – Freeman McNeil – 26 rushes, 184 yards KC – Christian Okoye – 13 rushes, 58 yards Top receivers NYJ – Al Toon – 3 receptions, 36 yards, TD KC – Jonathan Hayes – 5 receptions, 105 yards

Week 10: New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: November 15
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Overcast, 60 °F (16 °C)
• Game attendance: 40,718
• Referee: Fred Silva
• TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and Paul Maguire
• Recap, Game Book

Week 11: vs. Green Bay Packers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Packers	7	0	13	3	23
Chiefs	0	0	3	0	3

Game information

First quarter GB – Paul Ott Carruth 6-yard run (Max Zendejas kick), 10:49. Packers 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 48 yards, 2:19. Second quarter No scoring plays. Third quarter KC – Nick Lowery 34-yard field goal, 13:32. Packers 7–3. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 1:17. GB – Frankie Neal 13-yard pass from Randy Wright (Max Zendejas kick), 3:46. Packers 14–3. Drive: 15 plays, 68 yards, 6:42. GB – Frankie Neal 26-yard pass from Randy Wright (kick aborted), 2:51. Packers 20–3. Drive: 2 plays, 29 yards, 0:48. Fourth quarter GB – Max Zendejas 40-yard field goal, 1:52. Packers 23–3. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 2:43. Top passers GB – Randy Wright – 7/15, 91 yards, 2 TD KC – Frank Seurer – 13/32, 107 yards, INT Top rushers GB – Brent Fullwood – 23 rushes, 68 yards KC – Christian Okoye – 15 rushes, 67 yards Top receivers GB – Frankie Neal – 3 receptions, 46 yards, 2 TD KC – Stephone Paige – 3 receptions, 36 yards

Week 11: Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: November 22
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Overcast, 56 °F (13 °C)
• Game attendance: 34,611
• Referee: Pat Haggerty
• TV announcers (CBS): James Brown and Dan Jiggetts
• Recap, Game Book

Week 12: at Detroit Lions

Thanksgiving Day games

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	7	17	3	0	27
Lions	0	10	3	7	20

Game information

First quarter KC – Jonathan Hayes 7-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 8:59. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 6:01. Second quarter KC – Paul Coffman 13-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 10:49. Chiefs 14–0. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 5:44. DET – Karl Bernard 11-yard run (Eddie Murray kick), 7:27. Chiefs 14–7. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 5:50. KC – Nick Lowery 52-yard field goal, 5:22. Chiefs 17–7. Drive: 5 plays, 46 yards, 2:05. KC – Herman Heard 2-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 1:33. Chiefs 24–7. Drive: 6 plays, 84 yards, 1:17. DET – Eddie Murray 48-yard field goal, 0:00. Chiefs 24–10. Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 1:33. Third quarter DET – Eddie Murray 37-yard field goal, 6:17. Chiefs 24–13. Drive: 6 plays, 22 yards, 2:33. KC – Nick Lowery 54-yard field goal, 1:52. Chiefs 27–13. Drive: 11 plays, 41 yards, 4:13. Fourth quarter DET – Gary Ellerson 10-yard pass from Chuck Long (Eddie Murray kick), 1:48. Chiefs 27–20. Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 1:41. Top passers KC – Bill Kenney – 18/26, 246 yards, TD DET – Chuck Long – 21/41, 206 yards, TD Top rushers KC – Herman Heard – 14 rushes, 87 yards, TD DET – Karl Bernard – 20 rushes, 99 yards, TD Top receivers KC – Carlos Carson – 4 receptions, 87 yards DET – Jeff Chadwick – 5 receptions, 50 yards

Week 12: Kansas City Chiefs at Detroit Lions – Game summary

at Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan

• Date: November 26
• Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST/11:30 a.m. CST
• Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
• Game attendance: 43,820
• Referee: Gordon McCarter
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen
• Recap

Week 13: at Cincinnati Bengals

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Chiefs	0	3	14	10	0	27
Bengals	10	7	3	7	3	30

Game information

First quarter CIN – Larry Kinnebrew 1-yard run (Jim Breech kick), 3:24. Bengals 7–0. CIN – Jim Breech 37-yard field goal, 0:07. Bengals 10–0. Second quarter KC – Nick Lowery 39-yard field goal, 6:14. Bengals 10–3. CIN – Tim McGee 8-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Jim Breech kick), 0:03. Bengals 17–3. Third quarter KC – Christian Okoye 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 11:16. Bengals 17–10. CIN – Jim Breech 27-yard field goal, 6:53. Bengals 20–10. KC – Stephone Paige 24-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 1:18. Bengals 20–17. Fourth quarter KC – Kevin Ross 65-yard return of blocked field goal (Nick Lowery kick), 7:00. Chiefs 24–20. CIN – James Brooks 23-yard pass from Boomer Esiason (Jim Breech kick), 4:51. Bengals 27–24. KC – Nick Lowery 33-yard field goal, 0:00. Tied 27–27. Overtime CIN – Jim Breech 32-yard field goal, 5:16. Bengals 30–27. Top passers KC – Bill Kenney – 19/39, 229 yards, TD CIN – Boomer Esiason – 28/44, 368 yards, 2 TD Top rushers KC – Paul Palmer – 5 rushes, 41 yards CIN – Larry Kinnebrew – 20 rushes, 67 yards, TD Top receivers KC – Stephone Paige – 6 receptions, 88 yards, TD CIN – Rodney Holman – 5 receptions, 90 yards

Week 13: Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary

at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

• Date: December 6
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Overcast, 38 °F (3 °C)
• Game attendance: 46,489
• Referee: Jerry Seeman
• TV announcers (NBC): Mel Proctor and Reggie Rucker
• Recap

Week 14: vs. Los Angeles Raiders

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	0	3	7	0	10
Chiefs	0	7	3	6	16

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays. Second quarter KC – Carlos Carson 67-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 7:56. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 95 yards, 2:19. RAI – Chris Bahr 23-yard field goal, 0:51. Chiefs 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 3:19. Third quarter RAI – Marcus Allen 3-yard run (Chris Bahr kick), 5:53. Raiders 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 59 yards, 7:03. KC – Nick Lowery 39-yard field goal, 0:59. Tied 10–10. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 4:43. Fourth quarter KC – Nick Lowery 22-yard field goal, 11:44. Chiefs 13–10. Drive: 4 plays, 49 yards, 2:22. KC – Nick Lowery 35-yard field goal, 3:36. Chiefs 16–10. Drive: 13 plays, 63 yards, 4:58. Top passers RAI – Marc Wilson – 22/38, 339 yards, 3 INT KC – Bill Kenney – 10/27, 194 yards, TD, INT Top rushers RAI – Marcus Allen – 18 rushes, 60 yards, TD KC – Christian Okoye – 13 rushes, 48 yards Top receivers RAI – James Lofton – 5 receptions, 112 yards KC – Carlos Carson – 4 receptions, 142 yards, TD

Week 14: Los Angeles Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: December 13
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Cloudy, 41 °F (5 °C)
• Game attendance: 63,834
• Referee: Gene Barth
• TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Jimmy Cefalo
• Recap, Game Book

Week 15: at Denver Broncos

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	3	7	7	17
Broncos	7	10	3	0	20

Game information

First quarter DEN – Gene Lang 3-yard run (Rich Karlis kick), 6:33. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 4:23. Second quarter DEN – Rich Karlis 20-yard field goal, 12:14. Broncos 10–0. Drive: 13 plays, 72 yards, 6:01. KC – Nick Lowery 23-yard field goal, 8:21. Broncos 10–3. Drive: 6 plays, 25 yards, 2:38. DEN – Sammy Winder 8-yard pass from John Elway (Rich Karlis kick), 1:31. Broncos 17–3. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 6:50. Third quarter KC – Herman Heard 64-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 13:44. Broncos 17–10. Drive: 1 play, 64 yards, 0:12. DEN – Rich Karlis 43-yard field goal, 2:58. Broncos 20–10. Drive: 13 plays, 69 yards, 7:50. Fourth quarter KC – Stephone Paige 8-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 6:36. Broncos 20–17. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:42. Top passers KC – Bill Kenney – 26/39, 272 yards, TD DEN – John Elway – 18/31, 237 yards, TD Top rushers KC – Herman Heard – 10 rushes, 93 yards, TD DEN – Sammy Winder – 23 rushes, 98 yards Top receivers KC – Stephone Paige – 5 receptions, 78 yards, TD DEN – Clarence Kay – 6 receptions, 91 yards

Week 15: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

• Date: December 19
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST/2:00 p.m. MST
• Game weather: Cloudy, 35 °F (2 °C)
• Game attendance: 75,053
• Referee: Dick Jorgensen
• TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Jimmy Cefalo
• Recap, Game Book

Week 16: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	7	13	0	0	20
Chiefs	17	10	7	7	41

Game information

First quarter KC – Herman Heard 37-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 14:27. Chiefs 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 64 yards, 0:33. SEA – Steve Largent 15-yard pass from Dave Krieg (Norm Johnson kick), 10:31. Tied 7–7. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 3:46. KC – Nick Lowery 35-yard field goal, 5:00. Chiefs 10–7. Drive: 13 plays, 57 yards, 5:22. KC – Carlos Carson 81-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 2:54. Chiefs 17–7. Drive: 2 plays, 85 yards, 0:49. Second quarter SEA – Paul Skansi 8-yard pass from Dave Krieg (Norm Johnson kick), 14:11. Chiefs 17–14. Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 3:41. KC – Paul Palmer 92-yard kickoff return (Nick Lowery kick), 13:53. Chiefs 24–14. SEA – Norm Johnson 39-yard field goal, 10:02. Chiefs 24–17. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 3:39. SEA – Norm Johnson 24-yard field goal, 1:50. Chiefs 24–20. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 0:36. KC – Nick Lowery 44-yard field goal, 0:05. Chiefs 27–20. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 1:40. Third quarter KC – Mark Adickes 3-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 6:06. Chiefs 34–20. Drive: 15 plays, 81 yards, 5:58. Fourth quarter KC – Stephone Paige 46-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 13:46. Chiefs 41–20. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 1:42. Top passers SEA – Dave Krieg – 17/32, 202 yards, 2 TD KC – Bill Kenney – 23/35, 320 yards, 3 TD Top rushers SEA – Curt Warner – 15 rushes, 85 yards KC – Herman Heard – 12 rushes, 107 yards, TD Top receivers SEA – Steve Largent – 6 receptions, 95 yards, TD KC – Carlos Carson – 4 receptions, 120 yards, TD

Week 16: Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: December 27
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Overcast and Drizzle, 35 °F (2 °C)
• Game attendance: 20,370
• Referee: Ben Dreith
• TV announcers (NBC): Gayle Sierens and Dave Rowe
• Recap, Game Book

Standings

AFC West
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Denver Broncos(1)	10	4	1	.700	7–1	8–3	379	288	W2
Seattle Seahawks(5)	9	6	0	.600	4–3	5–6	371	314	L1
San Diego Chargers	8	7	0	.533	3–4	6–7	253	317	L6
Los Angeles Raiders	5	10	0	.333	2–6	3–8	301	289	L3
Kansas City Chiefs	4	11	0	.267	3–5	3–9	273	388	W1

References

1. "Kansas City Chiefs History 1980's". Archived from the original on August 6, 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2007.
2. "1987 Kansas City Chiefs draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 12, 2014.

External links

• 1987 Kansas City Chiefs at Pro-Football-Reference.com