The Chiefs came in with such sky high goals for the season, but a horrible start to the year ended those hopes real quick and gave the Chiefs a 3-8 record after eleven games.

The goal for the year changed at that point and was turned to finishing the season as strong as possible, this is the part that is confusing me, because as soon as the Chiefs were to the point where they could not afford to lose anymore this year, they haven’t.

At 3-8 any little glimmer of playoff hopes were only going to stay alive if the Chiefs won their remaining five games. Now, after four straight wins have brought them up to a 7-8 record, it has ended up not meaning much because the Chiefs were eliminated from the playoffs this past weekend because of several other teams that needed to lose to get the Chiefs in the playoffs but didn’t. No matter, the Chiefs have given their fans reason to look forward to 2005 again, a reason to believe that the ultimate goal will be reached.

The rivalry with the Oakland Raiders is one with a rich history, and this past meeting was just another great chapter. The game was one that Chiefs fans have become used to over the past couple of years, a fired upon and return fire type game. One team scores, then the other comes right back with a score of their own, and back and forth. The Oakland Raiders have been one of the worst teams in football this year, but they played with just as much gusto as the Chiefs were showing themselves. In the end the Chiefs were able to overcome some silly mistakes and sneak one out against the Raiders.

The Chiefs offense was up to it’s old tricks, racking up well over 400 yards for the game, even though the rushing attack was help to a total of 99 yards. The passing of Trent Green and the catching of Tony Gonzalez were able to lead the way for the offense for most of the night. In this game two Chiefs were able to go over the 1,000 yard mark for receiving, Tony Gonzalez reached 1,000 yards for the second time in his brilliant career, only a handful of tight ends in the history of the NFL have done this more than once, and only Shannon Sharpe and Kellen Winslow have more than two. Eddie Kennison went over 1,000 yards as well, for the first time in his career, let’s hope it’s not the last time.

Trent Green is about to set two very impressive Chiefs records in the final week of the season. After the Raiders game Green sits only 130 yards from the all time Chiefs record for passing yards in a season. Green currently sits at 4,218 and is chasing Bill Kenney’s 4,348. Also, Green sits at 336 completions for the year, just eleven completions away from breaking the record of 346, also set by Bill Kenney. These two records are almost a deadlock for being broken this week against the San Diego Chargers.

The 2004 season will wrap up in San Diego this Sunday against the Chargers, and will mark the end of what might be the most disappointing season for the Chiefs in recent memory. The amount of hype surrounding this season was great, and the level of lows reached during the season was just as great.

2005 will bring another season of great hopes and expectation. The Chiefs offense does not need much to maintain their level of great play, the way it looks, the Chiefs will be set on offense for at least another year. The defense is where all questions will be directed. Several needs will have to be filled in order for the Chiefs to reach their goal, which will always be the Super Bowl. The Chiefs should be looking at linebacker, cornerback, and a speed rushing defensive end to match up with rookie stand out Jared Allen, who is one sack away from matching the late great Derrick Thomas’ rookie record of ten. Filling these holes with seasoned veterans or top-notch rookies will give the Chiefs an outstanding chance of reaching the top.

The future looks good for the Chiefs, and the future is now. Beat the Chargers boys; let’s go out with five in a row.

GO CHIEFS!