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1988 Kansas City Chiefs season
Head Coach Frank Gansz
Home Field Arrowhead Stadium
Results
Record 4–11–1
Place 5th AFC West
Playoff Finish did not qualify
Timeline
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1987 1989

The 1988 Kansas City Chiefs season ended with an 4–11–1 record, and last place finish in the AFC West.

The spring was marked by several notable trades as the club jockeyed to improve on its 4–11 finish in 1987. Todd Blackledge was traded to Pittsburgh on March 29 and 12-year veteran quarterback Steve DeBerg was acquired from Tampa Bay on March 31. The Chiefs moved up one spot in the first round of the draft to select defensive end Neil Smith with the second overall pick. Bill Kenney opened the team’s initial two games at quarterback, but was replaced by DeBerg for the second half against Seattle.[1] DeBerg guided the team to a 20–13 win against Denver in his initial start as a member of the Chiefs. However, six losses and a tie followed as Kenney and DeBerg jostled for the QB job.

As the season drew to a close, it became apparent the winds of change were blowing across the organization. President Jack Steadman resigned on December 8, while general manager Jim Schaaf was relieved of his duties the same day.[1] Steadman was later named Chairman of the Board. On the field, the Chiefs finished the year at 4–11–1 as questions swirled regarding head coach Frank Gansz’s future and who would fill the club’s leadership void. One day after the season’s conclusion, former Philadelphia Eagles and United States Football League executive Carl Peterson was named the club’s President/General Manager and Chief Operating Officer on December 19.

Schedule[]

Week Date Opponent Result Attendance
1 September 4, 1988 Cleveland Browns L 6–3
55,654
2 September 11, 1988 at Seattle Seahawks L 31–10
61,512
3 September 18, 1988 Denver Broncos W 20–13
63,268
4 September 25, 1988 San Diego Chargers L 24–23
45,498
5 October 2, 1988 at New York Jets T 17–17
66,110
6 October 9, 1988 at Houston Oilers L 7–6
39,134
7 October 16, 1988 Los Angeles Raiders L 27–17
77,078
8 October 23, 1988 Detroit Lions L 7–6
66,926
9 October 30, 1988 at Los Angeles Raiders L 17–10
36,103
10 November 6, 1988 at Denver Broncos L 17–11
74,227
11 November 13, 1988 Cincinnati Bengals W 31–28
34,614
12 November 20, 1988 Seattle Seahawks W 27–24
33,152
13 November 27, 1988 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 16–10
42,057
14 December 4, 1988 New York Jets W 38–34
30,059
15 December 11, 1988 at New York Giants L 28–12
69,807
16 December 18, 1988 at San Diego Chargers L 24–13
26,339

Standings[]

AFC West
W L T PCT PF PA STK
Seattle Seahawks 9 7 0 .563 339 329 W-2
Denver Broncos 8 8 0 .500 327 352 W-1
Los Angeles Raiders 7 9 0 .438 325 369 L-2
San Diego Chargers 6 10 0 .375 231 332 W-2
Kansas City Chiefs 4 11 1 .281 254 320 L-2

References[]

AFC East Central West East Central West NFC
Buffalo Cincinnati Denver Dallas Chicago Atlanta
Indianapolis Cleveland Kansas City NY Giants Detroit LA Rams
Miami Houston LA Raiders Philadelphia Green Bay New Orleans
New England Pittsburgh San Diego Phoenix Minnesota San Francisco
NY Jets Seattle Washington Tampa Bay
1988 NFL DraftNFL PlayoffsPro BowlSuper Bowl XXIII
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