AP News, December 24th, 2006
Larry Johnson scored on a 1-yard run 40 seconds before halftime, and the Kansas City Chiefs took a 17-6 lead over the Oakland Raiders on Saturday night in a rivalry game with little meaning beyond pride.
Eddie Kennison caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Trent Green on the Chiefs' opening drive, and Johnson had 48 yards rushing as the Chiefs aimed to snap their three-game losing streak while keeping alive their faint playoff hopes.
Green passed for 110 yards, and Johnson scored his 14th touchdown of the season on a short drive set up by Oakland quarterback Andrew Walter's second fumble _ a turnover that drove Raiders' defensive tackle Warren Sapp into a poncho-kicking, helmet-throwing display of anger at his hopeless offense's latest follies.
Kansas City's December slump has reduced its playoff hopes greatly, depending on a big series of breaks in other AFC games. But the Chiefs still hoped to finish their season strong in the annual visit to the Black Hole _ and with one more win, they could become the first team ever to beat the miserable Raiders eight straight times.
So far, so good: With Green directing the Chiefs to two touchdowns against the Raiders' above-average defense, they already had more TDs than they managed in their last two losses combined.
Johnson's quest for the NFL rushing title is nearly as much of a long shot as Kansas City's postseason chances. He entered the night with 1,516 yards rushing, second in the league behind San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson (1,626).
With nothing to gain except draft position in their home finale, the Raiders played without injured mainstays Randy Moss, LaMont Jordan, Jerry Porter and Brooks. But Sapp's animated sideline displays of disappointment in the Raiders' inept offense were livelier than anything Walter managed as the last-minute starter in place of Aaron Brooks, who has an injured neck.
After coughing up the ball to open each of their first three games, the Raiders actually got the first of Sebastian Janikowski's two field goals on a solid opening drive against the Chiefs. They waited until their second drive for their first turnover, when Kawika Mitchell's vicious sack separated Walter from the ball at midfield, leading to Lawrence Tynes' short field goal.
Though Walter went 14-of-20 for 108 yards in the first half, he fumbled again shortly before halftime on another hit _ and Sapp, who had been standing up and yelling on the Raiders' sideline, showed his displeasure by kicking his poncho high into the air. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan had tried to calm Sapp moments earlier as he stalked the sideline yelling at his teammates.
Johnson's score capped a 37-yard drive, and Sapp spiked his helmet on the sideline as he left the field. Walter threw an end-zone interception on a long pass at the halftime gun, and Sapp tossed a towel in frustration as he headed up the tunnel.
Justin Fargas rushed for 68 yards for the Raiders, and Ronald Curry had seven catches for 59 yards.
There aren't many motivations left for the Raiders (2-12), who would set the franchise record for most losses in a single season with two more losses. The 1962 Oakland squad went 1-13 _ and a coach named Al Davis arrived a few days later.
Oakland, which has lost 13 straight to its AFC West opponents, hoped to avoid its second straight winless season in division play.
