AFL Championship (1966)

Lore & Background

The host Bills entered the AFL title game as two-time defending champions, but the visiting Chiefs were 6.5-point favorites, mainly because of their explosive and innovative offense led by head coach Hank Stram. The Bills were a more conventional team with a solid defensive line and a running mindset on offense. The two teams had split their season series, played early in the schedule without weather as a factor, with the road team winning each. Played on a sunny day, the Chiefs' opening drive stalled, but a Bills fumble on their first possession gave Kansas City a short field.

Quarterback Len Dawson immediately took advantage of it, hitting Fred Arbanas for the game's first score. Buffalo quarterback Jack Kemp later connected with Elbert Dubenion for a 69-yard touchdown, though it was not his first pass of the game. Late in the second quarter and trailing 14–7, Kemp led the Bills to the Kansas City 10. Bobby Crockett was open in the end zone, but Kemp's pass was intercepted by Johnny Robinson, who returned it 72 yards.

That set up a Mike Mercer field goal to close out the first half with a ten-point lead. Buffalo found no offensive rhythm in the second half, and the third quarter was scoreless. The Chiefs closed the game out in the fourth quarter with Dawson finding Chris Burford for a 45-yard gain, setting up a 1-yard touchdown run by rookie running back Mike Garrett, extending the lead to 24–7. Garrett scored his second touchdown less than two minutes later, following another Bills fumble.

Did You Know?

• Upon their return to Kansas City, the Chiefs were greeted by 12,000 fans at the airport.
• The Chiefs split their players' shares for the title game 51 ways, or $5,308 each.
• The game did not have an official MVP award.