Week 10 Game Recap: Kansas City Chiefs 10, Miami Dolphins 13

What you need to know

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs arrived in Miami riding a three game winning streak and favored to keep that streak intact. Their defense accepted the challenge and was able to limit the Dolphins’ offense. However the Chiefs’ offense never got untracked. They were consistently confused and stopped by the Miami defense. The most significant measure of this game was that the Chiefs’ offense went three plays and punt on each of their first five possessions.

Kansas City quarterback Damon Huard managed only 201 yards while completing 15 out of 38 passing attempts. He also lost yardage while being sacked three times. With Trent Green in uniform and on the sidelines the poor performance by Huard could have influence on how quickly and if Green gets the starting job back.

Star running back Larry Johnson managed one touchdown and 75 yards rushing. This will be viewed as a victory for the Dolphins’ defense that kept Johnson from reaching 100 total yards. Tight end Tony Gonzalez was one of the brighter spots for the Chiefs’ offense as he is again becoming more targeted in the Chiefs’ game plan. Gonzalez was injured late in the game and was wearing a sling on his left arm after the game.

Defensive end Jared Allen was one of the brightest stars for the defense, making many impressive plays to stop the Dolphins, including recovering a fumble and returning it 20 yards to set up the Chiefs’ lone touchdown.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have been one of the stingiest defenses in the league this year during the first quarter. They continued that trend as they prevented the Chiefs from scoring until the fourth quarter. The Dolphins’ defense dominated this contest. They prevented Chiefs’ quarterback Huard from settling in. He was hurried often and sacked three times. The defense also held running back Johnson under 100 total yards. Ronnie Brown managed 89 yards on 25 carries and tallied one touchdown. He was not dominant, but he and quarterback Joey Harrington were able to generate just enough offense to allow the Dolphins’ defense to win this game.

The lone touchdown of the game for Miami resulted after a trick play. Harrington handed the ball to Ronnie Brown who took a step forward and then turned to lateral the ball back to Harrington. Harrington then successfully completed the flea flicker by sending the ball downfield to a wide open Chris Chambers who went out at the one yard line. Ronnie Brown then took the next play in for the touchdown.

The Dolphins now have a two game winning streak, having beaten the Chicago Bears the previous week in Chicago. It looks like this team could belong to Harrington for the rest of this season in place of the injured Daunte Culpepper.

What you ought to know

QB Damon Huard, Pass: 15 - 38 - 201 - 0 TD / 0 INT

Huard has lately been receiving a vote of confidence from the fans, the media and the Chiefs’ brain trust for his performance. He was rated second in the AFC to Peyton Manning in quarterback rating. There was even talk that he might stay in as the starting quarterback after Trent Green is fully healthy and ready. With Trent Green finally back in uniform on game day and standing on the sideline, Huard had one of his worst days as a starting quarterback. He could not get untracked or mount a sustained attack against the Dolphins. He managed only 201 yards on 38 attempts and was sacked three times. With Green possibly ready, this performance will undoubtedly have people thinking it is time for Huard to sit again. It should be noted that it was the entire Kansas City offense that was having problems in Miami and not just Huard.

RB Larry Johnson, Rush: 18 - 75 - 1, Rec: 2 - 14 - 0 (6 targets)

Johnson had fair statistics for an average running back compiling 75 yards on 18 carries while scoring one touchdown. However that was way below expectations for him. It is necessary and expected that Johnson will produce at a much higher level for the Chiefs to succeed.

RB Michael Bennett (1 targets)

Bennett was brought in only a few times to spell Larry Johnson and did not ever carry or catch the ball.

WR Dante Hall, Rec: 3 - 32 - 0 (5 targets)

Hall caught three of the five passes thrown towards him to help out some on offense. He did have problems with returns. The Dolphins’ special teams kept him from any large gains on kickoff or punt returns.

WR Eddie Kennison, Rec: 3 - 58 - 0 (8 targets)

Kennison had a few good catches for decent yardage but needs the ball coming his way more often to help open up the field for the Chiefs’ offense to score. He captured three of the eight passes thrown his way.

WR Samie Parker, Rush: 1 - 5 - 0, Rec: 1 - 13 - 0 (5 targets)

Parker was targeted often by Huard but with Huard constantly under-protected, the passes were not the best and Parker only caught one of the five meant for him.

TE Tony Gonzalez, Rec: 6 - 84 - 0 (14 targets)

One of the brightest spots for this contest was that the game plan had more plays featuring Tony Gonzalez. He was targeted 14 times. He would have had seven catches except one catch did not count due to a Chiefs’ penalty. The Chiefs really need production from the dominant Gonzalez. They will have to wait and see about his upcoming availability. He was injured late in the game during a pass and was wearing a sling on his left arm after the game.

PK Lawrence Tynes 1 - 2 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 4 points

Tynes missed a 49 yard attempt late in the first half that turned out to be the margin of defeat for the Chiefs. In the second half, he converted on both opportunities he had, one field goal and one extra point.

KC Rush Defense

The Kansas City rush defense limited Dolphins’ back Ronnie Brown to 89 yards rushing on 25 attempts, 3.56 yards per carry. They did give up one rushing touchdown to Brown. Overall, the Chiefs’ defense would have had reason to be pleased with their performance if not for the lackluster efforts of the Kansas City offense.

KC Pass Defense

The Chiefs’ pass defense held Joey Harrington to 201 yards through the air and did not allow a Dolphins’ touchdown. They bent a little, but turned in another strong performance. They could have used a bit more pressure on the quarterback as they only sacked Harrington once during the contest.

QB Joey Harrington, Pass: 19 - 35 - 201 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 4 - 6 - 0

Harrington is holding firmly onto the starting quarterback job for the time being, despite the fact that he did not do anything impressive during this contest. He completed 19 of 35 passes for 201 yards, was never picked off, but also never threw for a touchdown. His performance was uninspiring, even if for this occasion, it was enough to record a win. Except for a trick play, a flea flicker to Chris Chambers, Miami may not have been able to win this game.

RB Ronnie Brown, Pass: 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 25 - 89 - 1, Rec: 1 - -3 - 0 (2 targets)

Brown struggled but was persistent enough to gain 89 yards on the ground and score the only touchdown for the Dolphins. His versatility was a prime reason Miami won. He was in there to help protect Harrington and also participated in the flea flicker that set up the lone Miami touchdown.

RB Sammy Morris, Rush: 6 - 20 - 0, Rec: 2 - 17 - 0 (3 targets)

Morris was a nice change of pace back for the Dolphins occasionally spelling at running back to provide a nice rest for the heavily used Ronnie Brown. He also provided a nice passing outlet for Harrington.

WR Chris Chambers, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0, Rec: 3 - 66 - 0 (12 targets)

Chambers is established as the favorite target for Harrington. With often poorly thrown passes, he only corralled three of the twelve passes thrown his way. He did come down with the flea flicker pass that set up the one yard touchdown run by Ronnie Brown.

WR Wes Welker, Rec: 3 - 46 - 0 (4 targets)

Welker provided quite a bit of the excitement for the Dolphins. He was electrifying on kickoff and punt returns almost breaking free for huge returns. He also was one of the most sure handed members of the Miami team. He caught three of the four passes thrown his way for 46 yards. He should probably be more featured in the Miami game plan.

WR Marty Booker, Rec: 2 - 16 - 0 (7 targets)

Booker only pulled in two of the seven passes targeted his way. He provided small production in a limited passing attack.

WR Derek Hagan, Rec: 1 - 11 - 0 (1 targets)

Hagan saw limited attention as the extra wide receiver. He caught the only pass thrown his way.

TE Randy McMichael, Rec: 5 - 34 - 0 (5 targets)

McMichael provided a large and dependable target for Harrington. He successfully brought in each of the five passes Harrington directed to him. He was slow to get up a couple times, seemingly suffering after some hard hits, but he kept coming back as an excellent outlet for the Miami quarterback.

TE Justin Peelle, Rec: 2 - 14 - 0 (2 targets)

Peelle was primarily used as a blocking tight end, but did catch both passes intended for him.

PK Olindo Mare 2 - 3 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 7 points

Mare converted on two of his three field goal attempts including one from 40 yards. He was also successful on his only extra point attempt. His only miss was a 50 yard attempt. It left the Chiefs in good field position but they were unable to convert it to points.

MIA Rush Defense

The Miami rushing defense limited the powerful running game of Larry Johnson to just 75 yards. Johnson managed one score but he was prevented from taking over this game. The Miami defense kept Kansas City from scoring until the fourth quarter and forced the Chiefs to go three and out on their first five offensive series.

MIA Pass Defense

The Dolphins’ pass defense held the Chiefs in check the entire game. They limited Huard to 201 yards total passing offense on 38 attempts. They did not allow a touchdown through the air and they sacked Huard three times. They dominated the Chiefs’ offensive line, pushing them aside and getting in consistently to harass and hurry Huard.