NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Each NFL team’s out of nowhere season

By Randy Gurzi

15 Nov 1998: Running back Jamal Anderson #32 and wide receiver Terance Mathis #81 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 31-19.
15 Nov 1998: Running back Jamal Anderson #32 and wide receiver Terance Mathis #81 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 31-19. /
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Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Kansas City Chiefs: AFL Champs in 1962

Way back when the Kansas City Chiefs were known as the Dallas Texans — and played in the AFL — they had their most surprising season of all time.

In only their third season in existence, the Texans went from a 6-8 franchise to a dominant 11-3 club. During the regular season, they put up some impressive wins such as their 41-21 beating of the Buffalo Bills and a 52-31 routing of the then-New York Titans.

Winning their AFL Western Division with a four-game cushion was impressive enough, but they did this while also seeing members of their team lavished with awards. Head coach Hank Stram was the AFL Coach of the Year and running back Curtis McClinton was the AFL Rookie of the Year.

In addition to that award, McClinton became the first player in team history to top 1,000 yards in a single season and added 13 touchdowns to lead the league. They also finished with 12 AFL All-Stars, which explains how they were able to lead the league in both total points scored, as well as fewest surrendered.

As good as they were though, winning their league championship game was no easy feat. Facing an in-state rival in the then-Houston Oilers, the game ended up going into two overtimes. It finally ended on a 25-yard field goal from Tommy Brooker, but still lasted just under 78 minutes. This went down as the longest game in the history of the AFL.

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