2003 Kansas City Chiefs season

The 2003 season was the Kansas City Chiefs' 34th in the National Football League (NFL), their 44th overall and their third under head coach Dick Vermeil.

2003 Kansas City Chiefs season
OwnerLamar Hunt
General managerCarl Peterson
Head coachDick Vermeil
Home fieldArrowhead Stadium
Results
Record13–3
Division place1st AFC West
Playoff finishLost Divisional Playoffs
(vs. Colts) 31–38
Pro BowlersQB Trent Green
RB Priest Holmes
FB Tony Richardson
TE Tony Gonzalez
T Willie Roaf
G Will Shields
S Jerome Woods
KR Dante Hall
ST Gary Stills

The season resulted in a 13–3 winning record, beginning with a nine-game winning streak—the franchise's best start in their 40-year history. The Chiefs won the AFC West and clinched the second seed in the playoffs to end a five-season playoff drought. Kansas City lost in an offensive shootout at home in the AFC Divisional Playoffs to the Indianapolis Colts 38–31, a game noted for involving no punts from either team's kicking squad.

The season is best remembered for the Chiefs' record-breaking offense. On December 28, running back Priest Holmes broke Marshall Faulk's single-season touchdown record, along with Emmitt Smith's single-season rushing touchdown record, by scoring his 27th rushing touchdown against the Chicago Bears. Quarterback Trent Green threw for 4,000 yards and kick returner Dante Hall returned four kicks for touchdowns. However, the Chiefs' defense would prove to be too big a weakness, as they failed to stop the Colts in the 2003-04 playoffs. The Chiefs offensive line from the season has frequently been considered one of the best offensive lines in NFL history. Two members of the offensive line, Will Shields and Willie Roaf, have been inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame along with the tight end from the team, Tony Gonzalez.

Offseason

Draft

The Chiefs originally had the 16th pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. Vermeil was intent on selecting a defensive player, but felt that there were no defensive players available with their pick, and traded the pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 27th pick, as well as the Steelers third and sixth-round picks.[1] With the 27th overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs selected running back Larry Johnson from Penn State.[2]

2003 Kansas City Chiefs draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 27 Larry Johnson *  RB Penn State from Pittsburgh
2 47 Kawika Mitchell  LB South Florida
3 92 Julian Battle  DB Tennessee from Pittsburgh
4 113 Brett Williams  OT Florida State
5 153 Jordan Black  OT Notre Dame from New York Jets
6 189 Jimmy Wilkerson  DE Oklahoma from New York Jets
7 230 Montique Sharpe  DT Wake Forest
7 252 Willie Pile  LB Virginia Tech compensatory selection
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Staff

2003 Kansas City Chiefs staff
Front office
  • Founder – Lamar Hunt
  • President/general manager/chief executive officer – Carl Peterson
  • Chairman of the board – Jack Steadman
  • Vice chairman of the board – Clark Hunt
  • Executive vice president/assistant general manager – Dennis Thum
  • Vice president of football operations/player personnel – Lynn Stiles
  • Director of football administration – Mike White
  • Director of pro personnel – Bill Kuharich

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Jeff Hurd
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Billy Long

Roster

2003 Kansas City Chiefs final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
53 active, 2 inactive, 5 practice squad

Preseason

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
HOF August 4 vs. Green Bay Packers W 9–0 1–0 Fawcett Stadium (Canton) Recap
1 August 9 San Francisco 49ers L 6–24 1–1 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
2 August 16 Minnesota Vikings W 26–16 2–1 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
3 August 23 at Seattle Seahawks L 31–42 2–2 Seahawks Stadium Recap
4 August 28 at St. Louis Rams W 22–6 3–2 Edward Jones Dome Recap

Hall of Fame Game: vs. Green Bay Packers

Hall of Fame Game: Green Bay Packers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 0 0 000
Chiefs 3 3 309

at Fawcett Stadium, Canton, Ohio

Game information

Week 1: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week 1: San Francisco 49ers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
49ers 0 7 71024
Chiefs 0 6 006

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: August 9
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Clear, 89 °F (32 °C)
  • Game attendance: 73,830
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 2: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week 2: Minnesota Vikings at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 3 0616
Chiefs 3 13 3726

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: August 16
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Clear, 100 °F (38 °C)
  • Game attendance: 73,830
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 3: at Seattle Seahawks

Week 3: Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 7 14 10031
Seahawks 3 10 151442

at Seahawks Stadium, Seattle, Washington

  • Date: August 23
  • Game time: 9:00 p.m. CDT/7:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: Overcast, 68 °F (20 °C)
  • Game attendance: 39,833
  • Referee: Ron Blum
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 4: at St. Louis Rams

Week 4: Kansas City Chiefs at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 7 0 10522
Rams 0 6 006

at Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: August 28
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 65,373
  • Referee: Larry Nemmers
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Regular season

After beginning the 2003 season 9–0, the Chiefs finished the regular season with a record of 13–3. The Chiefs' offense topped the NFL in almost all statistical categories and Kansas City became favorites to win Super Bowl XXXVIII.[3]

The Chiefs clinched their first AFC West title since 1997 with a 45–17 win against the Detroit Lions, as QB Trent Green became the first player in team history to register a "perfect" 158.3 passer rating in a game.[4]

Kansas City concluded its 13–3 regular season with a 31–3 victory vs. Chicago (December 28), marking a perfect 8–0 a record at home and the club's 13th consecutive regular-season victory at Arrowhead Stadium. In that win, Priest Holmes set a trio of TD records. He finished the season with 27 rushing scores, establishing NFL single-season records for both rushing TDs and total TDs. Holmes (61) also bypassed WR Otis Taylor (60) for the most career TDs scored by a player in Chiefs history.[4]

The Chief's five-win improvement from the previous season tied as the best mark in franchise history. Kansas City became the first AFC team to lead the NFL in scoring in consecutive seasons since San Diego in 1981–1982 as the club produced a franchise-best 484 points. The team also led the NFL with a +19 turnover differential.[4]

Nine Chiefs players received Pro Bowl recognition, the third-highest total in team history, while the club's six offensive Pro Bowlers marked the most in club annals.[4]

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 7 San Diego Chargers W 27–14 1–0 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
2 September 14 Pittsburgh Steelers W 41–20 2–0 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
3 September 21 at Houston Texans W 42–14 3–0 Reliant Stadium Recap
4 September 28 at Baltimore Ravens W 17–10 4–0 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
5 October 5 Denver Broncos W 24–23 5–0 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
6 October 12 at Green Bay Packers W 40–34 (OT) 6–0 Lambeau Field Recap
7 October 20 at Oakland Raiders W 17–10 7–0 Network Associates Coliseum Recap
8 October 26 Buffalo Bills W 38–5 8–0 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
9 Bye
10 November 9 Cleveland Browns W 41–20 9–0 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
11 November 16 at Cincinnati Bengals L 19–24 9–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
12 November 23 Oakland Raiders W 27–24 10–1 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
13 November 30 at San Diego Chargers W 28–24 11–1 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
14 December 7 at Denver Broncos L 27–45 11–2 Invesco Field at Mile High Recap
15 December 14 Detroit Lions W 45–17 12–2 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
16 December 20 at Minnesota Vikings L 20–45 12–3 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap
17 December 28 Chicago Bears W 31–3 13–3 Arrowhead Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Week 1: vs. San Diego Chargers

Week 1: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 0 7714
Chiefs 14 10 3027

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

The Chiefs hosted San Diego and raced to a 24–0 lead behind two Priest Holmes rushing scores and a Trent Green touchdown to Johnnie Morton. Drew Brees of the Chargers was intercepted twice in the 27–14 Chiefs win.

Week 2: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 2: Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 17 3 0020
Chiefs 7 20 7741

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

The Steelers scored first on a Chad Scott interception, but after leading 10–0 Pittsburgh was torched by Dante Hall’s 100-yard kick return score. Priest Holmes ran in three touchdowns while Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox was intercepted three times including one returned for a touchdown by Jerome Woods in a 41–20 Chiefs win. During halftime the chiefs held a ceremony honoring former head coach Hank Stram inducting him into the ring of honor at Arrowhead Stadium.

Week 3: at Houston Texans

Week 3: Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 7 7 141442
Texans 0 7 0714

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: September 21
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 70,487
  • Referee: Ron Blum
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Randy Cross
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Chiefs made their first trip to Houston since September 1996, now playing in Reliant Stadium next door to the Astrodome. Kansas City's aggregate winning streak against Houston NFL teams reached five as Houston was hammered 42–14 despite two Trent Green interceptions. The Chiefs rushed for 168 yards and three touchdowns.

Week 4: at Baltimore Ravens

Week 4: Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 0 3 7717
Ravens 0 0 3710

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Date: September 28
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT/3:05 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Mostly cloudy, 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 69,459
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Randy Cross
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Ravens held the Chiefs to 265 yards of offense and out-rushed them 202 yards (Jamal Lewis accounted for 115 yards and the tying touchdown in the final six minutes) to 129, but Dante Hall raced in the winning score (17–10 Chiefs) on the kickoff following Lewis’ score and Kyle Boller was intercepted at the Chiefs 2-yard line in the final minute. Ex-Raven Priest Holmes had 25 touches (22 carries and four catches) for a combined 103 yards.

Week 5: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 5: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 7 6 7323
Chiefs 7 3 7724

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: October 5
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Clear, 69 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 78,903
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Randy Cross
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Dante Hall’s signature touchdown came in the fourth quarter with the 4–0 Chiefs trailing 23–17 against the 4–0 Broncos. In the final nine minutes, he caught a punt, was chased back to his three-yard line, then cut left, and stormed past the Denver punt coverage unit to score. Jason Elam missed a Broncos field goal attempt but Priest Holmes fumbled at the Broncos eight-yard line. Jake Plummer advanced the Broncos to their 28 but went no further.

The Chief's 24–23 win came despite being outgained in yardage 468-262 and despite two turnovers to one by Denver.

Week 6: at Green Bay Packers

Week 6: Kansas City Chiefs at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Chiefs 7 7 020640
Packers 14 7 103034

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

This edition of the rematch series from the first AFL-NFL World Championship Game became one of the most competitive games of the season. The Packers raced to a 14–0 lead before two Trent Green touchdowns tied the game. The Packers scored seventeen straight points in the second and third quarters but early in the fourth Priest Holmes scored. Brett Favre was then intercepted by Jerome Woods at the Chiefs 21 and Woods scored. Exchanges of field goals (Morten Anderson’s 31-yard kick came with one second left) left the game tied 31–31. The Chiefs in overtime called eight straight Holmes rushes before trying a 48-yard field goal; the kick was blocked by Cletidus Hunt. On the Packers possession Ahman Green was immediately stopped by Woods and Woods forced the fumble recovered at the Chiefs 49; Trent Green then unloaded deep to Eddie Kennison and Kennison scored, thus ending a 40–34 Chiefs triumph.

Week 7: at Oakland Raiders

Week 7: Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 7 3 0717
Raiders 0 0 01010

at Network Associates Coliseum, Oakland, California

Game information

Week 8: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week 8: Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 2 3 005
Chiefs 7 21 01038

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

Despite 124 rushing yards from Travis Henry and getting a safety on a Kansas City punt, the Bills were humiliated 38–5. Drew Bledsoe was intercepted three times and Alex Van Pelt two more while Trent Green had two touchdowns and 273 yards.

Week 10: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 10: Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Browns 3 14 3020
Chiefs 14 13 7741

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: November 9
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 45 °F (7 °C)
  • Game attendance: 78,560
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf and Bonnie Bernstein
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Trent Green had 368 yards and three touchdowns, Priest Holmes added two scores on the ground, and the Browns were limited to 199 yards of offense in a 41–20 Chiefs win. During halftime the chiefs in a ceremony honored their former running back Marcus Allen inducting him into the ring of honor.

Week 11: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week 11: Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 0 3 31319
Bengals 0 3 71424

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

  • Date: November 16
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, possible showers, 54 °F (12 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,923
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Randy Cross and Marcus Allen
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

An undefeated season (attending Miami's overtime win over the Ravens members of the 1972 Dolphins kept a close watch on this game) would not transpire as the Bengals surged to their fifth win, fulfilling a pregame prediction by Chad Johnson (seven catches, 74 yards) of a Bengals win. Jon Kitna’s 77-yard strike to Peter Warrick effectively ended the 24–19 Bengals upset despite a late Trent Green score.

Week 12: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week 12: Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 0 7 71024
Chiefs 14 7 3327

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: November 23
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Overcast, 30 °F (−1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 78,889
  • Referee: Larry Nemmers
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms and Armen Keteyian
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The 3–7 Raiders refused to go quietly as they erased a 21–7 Chiefs lead. Jerry Rice scored for the first time all season but the Chiefs broke a 24–24 tie on Morten Anderson’s field goal with four seconds left.

Week 13: at San Diego Chargers

Week 13: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 7 14 0728
Chargers 0 7 10724

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: November 30
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST/1:15 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: Clear and sunny, 71 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 57,671
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf and Bonnie Bernstein
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Chiefs reached eleven wins leading wire to wire at Qualcomm Stadium despite two Trent Green interceptions to go with two Green touchdowns. Priest Holmes exploded to 162 rushing yards and two scores.

Week 14: at Denver Broncos

Week 14: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 7 14 0627
Broncos 7 10 141445

at Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: December 7
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST/2:15 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 63 °F (17 °C)
  • Game attendance: 76,403
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms and Armen Keteyian
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

The Chiefs suffered their second loss of the season 45–27. The game lead tied or changed six times in the first three quarters but after taking a 24–21 lead the Broncos added 21 more points. Clinton Portis ran in five touchdowns for Denver.

Week 15: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 15: Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 10 7017
Chiefs 14 14 17045

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

The 4–9 Lions were crushed 45–17 as Trent Green threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns while Priest Holmes added three scores of his own. It was Steve Mariucci’s only career loss to the Chiefs. This is Detroit's most recent visit to Kansas City; the Lions return there in 2023.

Week 16: at Minnesota Vikings

Week 16: Kansas City Chiefs at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 0 0 71320
Vikings 7 17 71445

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: December 20
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,291
  • Referee: Ron Blum
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms and Armen Keteyian
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Having clinched the AFC West the Chiefs were vying for a playoff bye. The top conference seed slipped away in this Saturday game as the Vikings forced four Chiefs turnovers, raced to a 31–0 lead, and didn't look back despite a three-touchdown barrage by 10:05 to go in the fourth. Despite the 45-20 loss, the Chiefs gained on a playoff bye on Denver's win over the Colts the next day.

Week 17: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 17: Chicago Bears at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 0 303
Chiefs 0 14 71031

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: December 28
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Clear, 46 °F (8 °C)
  • Game attendance: 78,413
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen and Bill Maas
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

With New England's shutout win over the Bills the previous day the Chiefs could only secure a playoff bye as the second conference seed. They did so 31–3 on three rushing scores while the 7-9 Bears used three quarterbacks who combined for two interceptions.

Standings

AFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) Kansas City Chiefs 13 3 0 .813 5–1 10–2 484 332 W1
(6) Denver Broncos 10 6 0 .625 5–1 9–3 381 301 L1
Oakland Raiders 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 270 379 L2
San Diego Chargers 4 12 0 .250 1–5 2–10 313 441 W1

Postseason

Schedule

Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Recap
Wild Card First-round bye
Divisional January 11 Indianapolis Colts (3) L 31–38 0–1 Arrowhead Stadium Recap

AFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. (3) Indianapolis Colts

AFC Divisional Playoffs: (3) Indianapolis Colts at (2) Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 14 7 10738
Chiefs 3 7 14731

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

This offensive shootout became the second game without a punt in NFL playoff history, and first since the Buffalo Bills played the San Francisco 49ers in 1992. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns, while Edgerrin James ran for a career postseason high 125 yards and two scores. On the Kansas City side, Dante Hall caught a touchdown and returned a kickoff for another; and Priest Holmes, who set the regular-season rushing touchdown record, rushed for 176 yards, caught 5 passes for 32 yards, and scored twice. Kansas City quarterback Trent Green threw for 212 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 18 yards in his first career postseason game. The Chiefs defense failed to stop the Colt's offense. Kansas City's defensive coordinator Greg Robinson was asked to resign the following week.

References

  1. So there they were with the 16th pick... Retrieved October 4, 2010,
  2. Kansas City Chiefs 2003 season – Database Football Archived December 8, 2006, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved December 18, 2006.
  3. Zimmerman, Paul. The Race to XXXVIII Sports Illustrated, November 17, 2003.
  4. Chiefs history: 2003 Archived June 9, 2008, at the Wayback Machine KCChiefs.com, retrieved December 18, 2006.

See also

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