Johnson, who was five games behind Sanders in consecutive games with 100 yards rushing, saw his streak fall short on Sunday – ironically, in his first regular-season game as the Chiefs’ undisputed No. 1 back.

Coach Herm Edwards wanted to pound the Bengals into submission and use the 230-pound Johnson as a battering ram. It worked for a time – Johnson had seven carries for 32 yards on a first-quarter drive to a field goal.

But once the Chiefs fell behind, Johnson was used primarily as a receiver out of the backfield.

He finished with 68 yards in 17 carries.