Have the Chiefs tapped into the Royals’ never-die attitude?
When you look back at the Royals’ consecutive World Series appearances, there are plenty of “I Can’t Believe That Happened” moments.
The comebacks in the 2014 Wild Card Game, punctuated by Salvador Perez’s how-did-he-hit-that-ball single that won the game. The entire eighth inning of Game 4 of the 2015 ALDS. Lorenzo Cain’s mad dash in the 2015 ALCS. Eric Hosmer’s mad dash in the 2015 World Series. Heck, the Royals trailed in every game of the 2015 World Series and still won in five games.
Now it’s the Chiefs’ turn.
This season opened with the crazy comeback against the Chargers. Marcus Peters ripped the ball out of the hands of Kelvin Benjamin and set up a winning field goal that capped a 17-point fourth quarter in a win at Carolina. The 75-yard drive late in the game that ended with a touchdown and a two-point conversion that forced overtime in Denver. Cairo Santos’ doinked field goal that won the game.
On Sunday, it was Eric Berry’s return of a missed extra point for two points and a 29-28 win at Atlanta.
Crazy stuff, right? The Chiefs are 9-3 and Sam Mellinger did his usual wonderful work when he wrote about their unusual winning ways. Here is a crazy stat for you:
The Chiefs now have 6 wins this season in which they trailed by at least a touchdown. That's the most such wins in the NFL this season. pic.twitter.com/DI2CY6vNep
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 4, 2016
Fans in Kansas City have noted that the Chiefs are doing things we haven’t seen since the Royals’ World Series appearances:
Chiefs fans are having a hard time accepting this team is good cause they do it differently. Just like 14/15 royals
— Chief John (@ActualJ_Proctor) December 5, 2016
#sundaysoundoff This Chiefs team feels like the 2014/2015 Royals. Let's ride the success as far as it can go....the Super Bowl. Go Chiefs!
— Jack Rosenberg (@jackdrosenberg) December 5, 2016
The Chiefs are finding ways to win in super crazy ways. It kind of reminds me of the 2015 Royals.
— Rachel Royal 1738 (@rachelroyalkc) December 5, 2016
Chiefs are the new Royals. Gonna do it this year
— Tom Fehr (@TJFsports) December 4, 2016
Chiefs stole the Royals devil magic
— Nate Chappell (@NateChap) December 4, 2016
Were Wade Davis and Eric Berry built in the same factory? #Chiefs #Royals
— Brett (@DrunkenDonuts_) December 4, 2016
The Chiefs are the new Royals.
— M Parrish (@Schmadvertising) December 4, 2016
@Brostyleoffense this team reminds me so much of the 2015 royals
— Chiefs360 (@Chiefs360) December 5, 2016
Pretty sure this #Chiefs team is the 2015 Royals in disguise. #ForeveRoyal #ChiefsKingdom
— Scott Beye (@Beyeguy93) December 4, 2016
I think the Chiefs have moved into Royals status in that they're going to end up winning despite all logic.
— untermensch (@NetSematary) December 5, 2016
@jbbrisco Chiefs remind me so much of the royals. Just clutch down the stretch. Especially the defense.
— ChieflyBacon (@3GravyCats) December 4, 2016
@jeff_rosen88 @mellinger @KCStar #Chiefs winning with some @Royals magic.
— C. Wilson (@candrewwilson) December 5, 2016
@Chiefs reminding me more of the @Royals everyday! #KCMagic https://t.co/TM7i7w1iS2
— Kez Demby (@kezdemby22) December 4, 2016
@KSeaboldt Even the #Royals are starting to think the #Chiefs late game heroics are becoming a bit ridiculous
— R Boyd (@RRB4KU) December 4, 2016
The KC Chiefs are getting to be like the 2015 KC Royals. They just get it figured out and win. #ChiefsKingdom
— ShannonNEVERTRUMP (@ShannonLeeKiss) December 4, 2016
@jazayerli There sure seems to be some 2015 Royals in these Chiefs.
— Eric Neal (@eneal10) December 4, 2016
"If Oakland loses today, we beat them Thursday, and we sign Ben Zobrist then we're headed for the Superbowl." -dad #chiefs #royals
— Amanda Kingston (@hpfan4lyfe) December 4, 2016
The Chiefs are winning like the Royals did in 2014.
— Joey Pagnotta (@JoeyPajamaz) December 4, 2016
The way the chiefs play this year reminds me of the 2015 royals..
— Demetrius Bestey (@DBcolts94) December 4, 2016
Watching this Chiefs team is like watching the 2015 Royals in their playoff run. You can't count this team out.
— Tyler. (@Typac69) December 4, 2016
The Chiefs are like the 2015 Royals. No matter what. They find a way to come away with the win. #ChiefsKingdom
— Cray Smith (@Cray_Cray_6) December 4, 2016
The 2016 #Chiefs = The 2014 #Royals
— Jeremy Sickel (@JeremySickel) December 4, 2016
Pete Grathoff: 816-234-4330, @pgrathoff
This story was originally published December 5, 2016 at 8:41 AM.