The Kansas City Chiefs made two of the first four Super Bowls (won one) in NFL history and three of the last four (winning two). But their playoff success in between those eras was … not so great.
We peer through the annals of history and revisit the ghosts of the Chiefs’ playoff past. But one important note — we only consider appearances from the 1970 AFL-NFL merger onward. Let’s take a closer look.
Kansas City Chiefs Playoff Appearances and Results by Year
- 2023
- Wild Card Round: Won 26-7 vs. Dolphins
- Divisional Round: Won 27-24 vs. Bills
- 2022
- Divisional Round: Won 27-20 vs. Jaguars
- Conference Championship: Won 23-20 vs. Bengals
- Super Bowl: Won 38-35 vs. Eagles
- 2021
- Wild Card: Won 47-17 vs. Steelers
- Divisional Round: Won 42-36 (OT) vs. Bills
- Conference Championship: Lost 27-24 (OT) vs. Bengals
- 2020
- Divisional Round: Won 22-17 vs. Browns
- Conference Championship: Won 38-24 vs. Bills
- Super Bowl: Lost 31-9 vs. Buccaneers
- 2019
- Divisional Round: Won 51-31 vs. Texans
- Conference Championship: Won 35-24 vs. Titans
- Super Bowl: Won 31-20 vs. 49ers
- 2018
- Divisional Round: Won 31-13 vs. Colts
- Conference Championship: Lost 37-31 (OT) vs. Patriots
- 2017
- Wild Card: Lost 22-21 vs. Titans
- 2016
- Wild Card: Lost 18-16 vs. Steelers
- 2015
- Wild Card: Won 30-0 @ Texans
- Divisional Round: Lost 27-20 @ Patriots
- 2013
- Wild Card: Lost 45-44 vs. Colts
- 2010
- Wild Card: Lost 30-7 vs. Ravens
- 2006
- Wild Card: Won 23-8 @ Colts
- 2003
- Divisional Round: Lost 38-31 vs. Colts
- 1997
- Divisional Round: Lost 14-10 vs. Broncos
- 1995
- Divisional Round: Lost 10-7 vs. Colts
- 1994
- Wild Card: Lost 27-17 @ Dolphins
- 1993
- Wild Card: Won 27-24 (OT) vs. Steelers
- Divisional Round: Won 28-20 @ Oilers
- Conference Championship: Lost 30-13 @ Bills
- 1992
- Wild Card: Lost 17-0 @ Chargers
- 1991
- Wild Card: Won 10-6 vs. Raiders
- Divisional Round: Lost 37-14 @ Bills
- 1990
- Wild Card: Lost 17-16 @ Dolphins
- 1986
- Wild Card: Lost 35-15 (OT) @ Jets
- 1971
- Divisional Round: Lost 27-24 (OT) vs. Dolphins
Chiefs Playoff History FAQ
Recent success has blinded younger generations of the Chiefs’ playoff struggles they once endured, but veteran fans are sure to remember the struggles of years past. Let’s dive into some frequently asked questions on Kansas City’s valleys — but mostly troughs — in the postseason.
What’s the Chiefs’ Playoff Win/Loss Record?
The Chiefs’ playoff record since the 1970 merger is 16-18. Yet, much of the franchise’s success has come under Andy Reid, as Kansas City has been to the playoffs in all but one season and gone 12-7 since he was hired in 2013.
As for home-field advantage, it’s relatively nonexistent for KC — they are 10-9 at home (5-9 in away and neutral-site situations).
How Many Times Have the Chiefs Been to the Playoffs?
Kansas City has made the playoffs 21 times in their team’s history, including 10 times since 2010. The first playoff appearance (1971 season) resulted in a 27-24 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins, who would also defeat the Chiefs in 1990 and 1994.
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Their most recent postseason experience involved complete domination of the Dolphins (27-6), and another classic vs. the Bills in the Divisional Round (27-24 OT).
How Many Super Bowl Appearances Do the Chiefs Have?
Considering our stipulation of only counting post-merger playoff appearances, the Chiefs have made three Super Bowls, first in back-to-back years (2019 and 2020) and then again in 2022.
But to give the golden-agers some love — KC represented the AFL in the first-ever Super Bowl vs. the Packers. Although they fell to Green Bay 35-10, the Chiefs enacted revenge on the NFL three years later, taking down the Vikings 23-7 in Super Bowl IV.
How many Super Bowls have the Chiefs won?
The Chiefs have won three Super Bowls in their history, including two during the Patrick Mahomes era. Their first under Mahomes came just a few seasons ago — a 31-20 victory over the 49ers in Hard Rock Stadium. However, that game could’ve easily gone in the opposite direction.
With it tied 10-10 at just under a minute left before halftime, Jimmy Garoppolo found George Kittle for a 42-yard gain that would’ve provided the 49ers with — at least — a go-ahead field goal. But Kittle was called for questionable offensive pass interference that San Francisco fans are sure to remember.
Down 20-10 midway through the fourth quarter, Andy Ried, Patrick Mahomes, and Tyreek Hill executed the now-famous “Jet Chip Wasp” play that seemingly turned the tide.
Then, with less than two minutes remaining in the contest, Garoppolo overthrew Emmanuel Sanders downfield for what would’ve set up a first and goal with the score 24-20 Chiefs. And KC running back Damien Williams dealt the finishing blow with a 38-yard TD scamper in his Jordan Brand cleats.
Just three years later, the Chiefs found themselves celebrating their second Super Bowl win of the Mahomes era. A late fourth-quarter defensive holding penalty helped set up a game-winning field goal against the Eagles. Mahomes won his second Super Bowl MVP award in the team’s 38-35 victory.
When Was the Last Time the Chiefs Made the Super Bowl?
2022. Kansas City defeated the Eagles in Super Bowl 57.