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 victory over the Chargers:
Offense: RB Larry Johnson
Johnson ran for 131 yards and two touchdowns against a defense that came in as No. 1 in the league against the run and had not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 16 consecutive games. Unlike his counterpart LaDainian Tomlinson, Johnson had no trouble keeping his feet in the wet and muddy conditions at Arrowhead.
Johnson extended his franchise record for consecutive 100 yard rushing games to eight and he is now the third leading rusher in the league with 1,549 yards. Johnson needs just 67 yards in the season finale to become the Chiefs single season rushing leader.
Defense: CB Patrick Surtain
After two terrible outings, the Chiefs defense finally came to play against San Diego, holding the Chargers to a season low seven points. It all started with the front seven, holding Pro Bowl running back LaDainian Tolmlinson to 49 yards on 15 carries, making the Chargers one dimensional. Then the Chiefs secondary, especially cornerback Patrick Surtain, stepped up and took care of business, holding the Chargers to a measly 153 yards through the air.
Surtain finished the game with seven tackles and one huge interception that killed the Chargers most impressive drive of the second half. They didn’t come close to scoring again.
Special Teams: KR Dante Hall
The special teams units again had a rough day, botching a hold on an extra point and having at least one bad punt snap, but return man Dante Hall broke one big punt return to earn this week’s honor.
With the game scoreless in the first quarter, Hall fielded Mike Scifres’ punt at his own 13 yard line and raced 44 yards up the sideline to the Chargers 43 yard line, helping set up the Chiefs first touchdown of the game.
