This is a great time of year to be thankful for what we have, where we have been, and what the future holds. Although the Chargers have lost their way a bit in recent years, the month of December still holds such incredible promise! This advent calendar is an attempt to hearken back to these days of December joy. Each day will bring a new advent from the Bolts’ history that makes it wonderful to be a Chargers fan.

Dec. 13: A History of Chargers Vs. Chiefs

And then, on the biggest night of the year for the Chargers, there is reason to be hopeful for fans of both teams. Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane and figure out who has the edge in this rivalry.

Many remember fondly the scrappy bouts between the Chargers and the Dallas Texans!

For the uninitiated, we are talking about the Kansas City Chiefs. The team was founded in 1960 as the Dallas Texans by businessman Lamar Hunt and was a charter member of the American Football League (Editors Note: They are not associated with an earlier Dallas Texans NFL team that only played for one season in 1952, nor are they related to the current Dallas Cowboys). In 1963, the team relocated to Kansas City and assumed their current name. That makes the Denver Broncos the only AFC West team to never relocate, but I digress.

Ever since the American Football League was established in 1960, the Chargers and the Chiefs have shared the same division, first being the AFL Western Conference, and since the AFL–NFL merger, the AFC West. Throughout the Chargers’ entire history, the Chiefs have been there to foil their plans.

First meeting: September 10, 1960 - Los Angeles Chargers 21, Dallas Texans 20

Next meeting: Today!

VITAL STATS: Meetings total 119 (including the playoffs and today)

• All-time series The Chiefs lead 62–55–1 (including the playoffs)
• Postseason results: The Chargers lead 1–0 (Chargers 17, Chiefs 0)
• Largest victory Chargers: 31–0 (2010); Chiefs: 49–6 (1964)
• Longest win streak Chargers: 6 (1979–1981); Chiefs: 7 (2014–present)
• Current win streak Chiefs: 9 wins (2014–present)

Some interesting things might jump out at you from those stats. First- the series isn’t terribly lopsided, which is a good thing. Second- the series has been terribly, unforgivably lopsided lately.

Let’s take a look by decade (why not??)

1960s (Chiefs 10–9–1)

1970s (tied 10–10)

1980s (Chargers 12–7)

1990s (Chiefs 14–7)

2000s (Chargers 11–9)

2010s (Chiefs 11–6)

The Chargers surprised no one by being crushed by the Chiefs earlier this year. That also gave the Chargers their last multi-score loss. Momentum is an interesting thing. The Chiefs have dropped 4 straight, and appear to be the biggest 2nd half bust of the season (comparing fascinatingly with the Chargers being the biggest 2nd half gain of the season).

This has been a frenzied and worthwhile competition, even if it does skew slightly toward the Chiefs. The Chargers can begin their trek to right the ship in this series later this year. We’ll know the results in just over a week!

-Jason “Maybe that’s why I hate Dallas” Michaels