The 1996 Kansas City Chiefs finished with a winning 9-7 record, securing a second-place finish in the AFC West. Under head coach Marty Schottenheimer, the team demonstrated early dominance with a perfect 4-0 start and a memorable 27-20 victory over the Super Bowl-bound Green Bay Packers. The season was highlighted by standout individual performances, including linebacker Derrick Thomas leading the defense with 13 sacks and veteran running back Marcus Allen recording nine rushing touchdowns. Though they narrowly missed the postseason, the Chiefs remained a formidable contender, boasting four Pro Bowl selections and a top-tier defense that ranked 11th in the league for points allowed.