Make A Play To Win … Game-Day Cup O’Chiefs

From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

His name was Gerald Hayes.

Two years ago on a September Sunday in the desert, the linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals found a way to make a play with the outcome of a game against the Seattle Seahawks on the line.

Todd Haley says that moment was when the Cardinals learned how to win. He hopes that sometime soon, one of his Chiefs will enjoy a similar moment and help the team stop the losing ways that have become a habit around the team for the last two seasons and two games.

Haley hopes that man makes himself visible Sunday, when the Chiefs make their first trip to Lincoln Financial Field to play the Eagles. Kickoff is noon on CBS-TV.

Trips to the city of brotherly love over Chiefs history have been as rare as victories in recent seasons; it’s only the second time that the red and gold have made a trip to the land of the Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin, Rocky Balboa, Geno’s & Pat’s (cheese steaks for the uninitiated and I think they are both great) and America’s most boo happy sports fans.

This is where the Chiefs hope to find the first victory of the Pioli/Haley Era. For the last two weeks, they’ve been in the game, thus had a chance to win, against both Baltimore and Oakland. Just as this team did last year in a disastrous 2-14 season, they either found ways to lose, or could not find the key to victory.

To say that confidence in these types of situations is lacking would be a major understatement. Changing that can happen with a single play according to Haley, a play like the one Gerald Hayes made for the Cardinals.

“I told the team about the first year in Arizona and we’re on our way to being 0-2. We’re playing Seattle and they’re driving at Arizona for what appeared to be a sure go-ahead field goal in the last seconds. They’re just running out the clock. It’s the same old stuff. That’s what everybody is feeling at that time. We’re going to be 0-2.

“Well, at that time, somebody made a play. They forced a fumble in the backfield and we recovered it and won the game as opposed to watching them line up and kick a field goal. That kind of changed the whole deal.”

It was 1st-and-5 at the Arizona 36-yard line for the Seahawks offense. QB Matt Hasselbeck and RB Shaun Alexander bobbled a handoff. Hayes arrived at the same time and the ball came out. DE Darnell Dockett fell on the ball at the Seattle 46-yard line.

Five plays later, K Neil Rackers drilled a 42-yard field goal with one second to play that gave the Cardinals a 23-20 victory. Instead of being 0-2, they were now 1-1. Arizona went on to finish 8-8 that season, and then 9-7 last year with a trip to the Super Bowl where they almost knocked off the Pittsburgh Steelers.

What must happen for the Chiefs to end their misery? Besides being 0-2, they’ve lost 16 of their last 18 games, 23 of their last 25 and 28 of their last 34 games.

Haley says it starts by only viewing this season and not dwelling in the past.

“That’s our job; that’s what everybody is getting paid and coach for: to win games,” Haley said. “We’re 0-2 in the first quarter of the season now. I just fight the urge to fall into the trap that we’re 0-and-anything other than two.

“We’ve had a chance to win both games and we didn’t. Obviously, every week that you get ready to go is a must win. If you’re thinking it’s okay to turn one in you probably won’t be around for long. We’ve got to find ways to win a game. This is our game that we’re worried about right now and we’re not worried about anything else – not anything outside of this building, this practice field and once we get on the plane and field in Philadelphia, that’s where the focus and concern will be.”

And part of that focus means having a Kansas City version of Gerald Hayes stand up in crunch time and elevate his game just a few inches to make a game-deciding p lay.

“Whether it’s Brandon Flowers intercepting the ball or Maurice (Leggett) catches the ball or the quarterback doesn’t throw an interception, there are plenty of them (opportunities) out there, whether I make a better call or a better decision in the game,” Haley said. “Somebody has to take it upon themselves to change the outcome of the game.”

SIGNINGS, INJURIES & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE

• BROWNS – signed K Billy Cundiff; released RB Cedric Peerman; RB Jamal Lewis will not play against the Ravens.
• BUCCANEERS – promoted WR Mario Urrutia from the practice squad; released LB Matt McCoy.
• COLTS – LB Gary Brackett (knee) and CB Kelvin Hayden (hamstring) will not play against the Cardinals.
• PANTHERS – LB Na’il Diggs is out of Sunday’s game against the Cowboys with bruised ribs.
• SAINTS – promoted QB Chase Daniel from the practice squad; released C Nick Leckey.

FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY

On September 27, 1964, the Chiefs beat the Raiders in Oakland 21-9 in front of a crowd of 18,163 at Frank Youell Field. RB Abner Haynes was the star for the Chiefs as he ran for 106 yards on 12 carries and also caught a 56-yard TD pass from QB Len Dawson. The other KC scores came on a Dawson to WR Frank Jackson 39-yard pass and a one-yard sneak by Dawson. The Chiefs defense allowed just three Raiders field goals

On September 27, 1981, the Chiefs beat the Seattle Seahawks 20-14 at the Kingdome. The Chiefs scored the first 20 points of the game, getting points on four of their first five possessions. RB Ted McKnight had a two-yard run and QB Bill Kenney scored on a one-yard run. K Nick Lowery had FGs of 30 and 38 yards. Kenney was 16 of 25 passing for 239 yards. WR J.T. Smith led all Chiefs receivers with five catches for 81 yards..

September 27, 1987-Chiefs game against Minnesota at Arrowhead cancelled by players strike and is never re-scheduled.

On September 27, 1998, the Chiefs beat the Eagles 24-21 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. QB Rich Gannon returned to his hometown and helped lead the Chiefs to victory, throwing for 262 yards against the Eagles defense. RB Donnell Bennett had a big day, with 19 carries for 87 yards and TD runs of 1, 5 and 7 yards. The Chiefs also got a 21-yard FG from Pete Stoyanovich. The Chiefs defense sacked Philly QB Rodney Peete three times, as Tom Barndt and Anthony Davis split the sacks.

SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …

Born on September 27, 1936 in Homer, Louisiana was RB Paul Lowe. He joined the Chiefs in 1968 after having played seven seasons with the Los Angeles-San Diego Chargers. Lowe played two seasons with the Chiefs (1968-69), appearing in nine games. He ran 11 times for 23 yards and returned five kickoffs for 116 yards in his time with the Chiefs. Lowe was named MVP of the AFL for the 1965 season by UPI.