Preseason games are an excellent opportunity to analyze young talent, but we‘ve generally understood them to be meaningless as far as the actual season. For three out of the four games, that’s pretty much true, but the third preseason game is a different animal altogether. With the starters playing a lot of reps and the coaches game-planning, game #3 has become a dress rehearsal for the season and, for the Chiefs, it’s meant the difference between success and failure.

In 2012, the Chiefs would have an abysmal year of impotent football, a year where they finished 2-14. What you may not remember, is that they lost their third preseason game that year, to the Seattle Seahawks, 44-14. Hunt cleaned house and brought in Dorsey and Reid. After a whirlwind off-season, Chiefs lost their first two preseason games, but squeezed out a narrow win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third game. They would go on to lose a close game in the playoffs to the Colts, but not before finishing with their best record since 2003.

In 2014, Chiefs seemed primed to pick up where they left off, a young Travis Kelce would be playing his first healthy season, and their was a lot of Buzz surrounding first round pick: Dee Ford. However, Chiefs lost their third preseason game to the Vikings 30-12. The third preseason game, once again, proved to be the harbinger for the season, as they went on to finish 9-7, just out of the playoffs.

In 2015, Chiefs were still looking for their first post-season win in forever. That year, fans‘ patience would be rewarded, as Chiefs secured a wild-card spot and pounded the Texans 30-0. The Patriots would defeat them by a touchdown in a game where Chiefs were dealing with several key injuries. Way back in preseason game #3, Chiefs had a strong performance against the Titans, beating them 34-10.

Last year, Chiefs finished with their best record under Reid (12-4), a division sweep, and a first round bye that they wasted by failing to get enough points to beat a Steelers team that didn’t score a TD. Still overall, it was a great season and, as you can probably guess, it was preceded by a solid preseason performance. The Chiefs beat the Bears 23-7.

Usually I would tell you that preseason games don’t matter, or not worry about a win or a loss. Not this week. The Chiefs need to go into Seattle and come out with the victory. With a very tough schedule, early success will be key for the Chiefs, if they are going to continue to progress in the playoffs. Root hard, hope big, and go Chiefs!

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