Each week during the 2005 season I will choose an offensive, defensive and special teams player of the game. Here are my selections for the Chiefs after their dramatic victory over the Raiders:
Offense: RB Larry Johnson
With Priest Holmes missing the game because of the lingering effects from the concussion he suffered last week in San Diego, running back Larry Johnson made the most of his opportunity to carry the Chiefs running attack. Johnson carried the ball twenty-two times for a game-high 107 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns, but that doesn’t tell the whole story of his afternoon. Johnson caught three passes on the Chiefs game-winning drive, including a 36-yard catch and run that set the Chiefs up at the Raiders half-yard line with five seconds left. His dive into the end zone on the last play of the game gave the Chiefs the win and marked their sixth straight victory over the Raiders in one of the most dramatic finishes in Chiefs history.
Defense: CB Dewayne Washington
Thrust into the starting cornerback position due to injuries to Dexter McCleon and Patrick Surtain, first-year Chief Dewayne Washington rose to the occasion and helped hold Raiders’ star Randy Moss to one reception on the day. Washington recorded five tackles and was given credit for only one pass defensed, but his tight man coverage helped hold the Raiders to a season-low 175 yards passing.
I have to give honorable mention to cornerback Eric Warfield. Playing with a sore back that caused him to leave the game briefly in the fourth quarter, Warfield recorded a season-high eleven tackles.
Special Teams: K Lawrence Tynes
With successful field goals of 27 and 47 yards, kicker Lawrence Tynes wins this award for the fifth time this season. Tynes has now hit thirteen straight field goals since his last miss in week two at Oakland.
