Balanced attack helps Chiefs get by Dolphins

Updated: Oct 22, 2005, 11:12 am

MIAMI (AP) -- The Kansas City Chiefs canceled a practice and

rushed to pack, then caught an early flight and landed less than

six hours before kickoff.

It was over when ...

Lawrence Tynes' 52-yard field goal gave Kansas City a 30-13 lead with just over 10 minutes left in the game. Miami would need a passing game to come back and Gus Frerotte (11-for-29, 125 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT) didn't quite have it on Friday.

Game ball goes to ...

The Chiefs' offensive line. Running backs Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson carried for 90 and 93 yards, respectively, and combined for three rushing touchdowns. The team ran the ball 45 times, and held possession for nearly 42 minutes. This was a game won in the trenches.

When the game began, they were ready.

With Hurricane Wilma scrambling the schedule, the Chiefs shook

off any travel fatigue to beat the Miami Dolphins 30-20 on Friday

night.

Trent Green threw for 289 yards against Miami's injury-depleted

secondary, and the Chiefs totaled a season-high 462 yards while

controlling the ball for nearly 42 minutes. Lawrence Tynes' three

field goals included a 51- and 52-yarder, the two longest kicks of

his career.

"We had a job to do," Chiefs cornerback Patrick Surtain said.

"Hey, it's a football game. We've been playing this since we were

8. It's really simple. Tonight guys found that extra bit of

energy."

Announced attendance was 68,350, but with the scheduling change

and rain in the area, the actual crowd totaled about 40,000.

Playing a rare Friday game, the Dolphins looked like a bad high

school team, and by their second series the small crowd was booing.

Gus Frerotte misfired on two potential touchdown passes and went

11-for-29, Ricky Williams lost 1 yard in six carries and the

defense gave up four scoring drives of eight plays or more.

"I'm not blaming it on anything, because that's not my nature,

but we certainly didn't have the energy and enthusiasm we've had up

to this point," Miami coach Nick Saban said. "We just didn't look

like the same team out there, and I can't give you any reason

exactly why."

Despite a less-than-ideal itinerary, Kansas City (4-2) scored a

touchdown on the first series and never trailed. The Dolphins (2-4)

missed a chance to claim a share of the AFC East lead, instead

losing their third game in a row.

On Thursday, with some forecasters predicting a weekend

hurricane in Florida, the NFL moved up the scheduled Sunday kickoff

by 42 hours, leaving the Chiefs at an apparent disadvantage.

"We weren't really happy about it," Green said. "But we did

our job, we focused and we have to be pleased about that. The team

took a positive approach."

The Chiefs canceled practice Thursday, arrived in South Florida

early Friday afternoon following a three-hour flight and stretched

their legs at a hotel before heading to the stadium. They were

scheduled to leave right after the game and arrive in Kansas City

about 2 a.m., completing a 17-hour trip.

"Now we can go home, relax and watch a bunch of college games

and NFL games this weekend," tackle Willie Roaf said.

Miami's struggling secondary lost cornerback Sam Madison (hip)

and safety Tebucky Jones (pectoral) in the first half, and two

other defensive starters also limped to the sideline. Kansas City

took advantage, scoring on five consecutive possessions for a 30-13

lead.

"Physically, we got beat up out there," Saban said.

Sage Rosenfels stirred a potential quarterback controversy when

he replaced Frerotte with less than 3 minutes left. Rosenfels' only

pass was a 77-yard touchdown strike to Chris Chambers, who split

two defenders to score.

Kansas City's Larry Johnson rushed for 93 yards, and Priest

Holmes ran for 90 and two scores. Miami's Williams, meanwhile,

again saw limited duty in his second game following a one-year

retirement and four-game drug suspension. He has seven yards on 11

carries this season.

Rookie teammate Ronnie Brown carried eight times for 95 yards,

including a 65-yard touchdown on the first play of the second half

that briefly reduced Miami's deficit to 14-13. Kansas City answered

with a TD two plays later on a 35-yard run by Holmes.Game notes
Miami WR Marty Booker left the game in the fourth quarter

with a twisted ankle. Also injured were DE Kevin Carter (calf) and

S Lance Schulters (thigh bruise). ... Dolphins LB Junior Seau

(calf) was inactive for the second game in a row. ... Chiefs

injuries included DE Jared Allen (groin strain), LB Derrick Johnson

(strained AC joint) and S Jerome Woods (right hamstring sprain).

None of the injuries was believed to be serious. ... Chiefs WR

Dante Hall made his first start of the season for injured Samie

Parker (knee). ... Dolphins T Stockar McDougle, who committed five

penalties last week, was benched and replaced by Vernon Carey. ...

Brown's touchdown was the longest run by a Miami rookie since 1977.