Chiefs notebook
The Capital-Journal
An eye for the ball
Maybe it's a thirst for the spotlight, an instinct or dumb luck, but anytime a ball is loose, Jared Allen finds it.
The defensive end got his NFL-leading fourth fumble recovery Sunday, scooping a mangled exchange on an end-around to Dolphins wide receiver Chris Chambers, a play that set up Kansas City's only touchdown and gave the Chiefs a chance in the fourth quarter.
"I'm just trying to help my team win," Allen said, who also recorded his sixth sack of the season. "I saw the end zone and wanted to get in there."
Allen also has two forced fumbles and an interception this season.
Five starters out
The Chiefs were without five starters for Sunday's loss -- guard Brian Waters, linebacker Derrick Johnson, tackle Kevin Sampson, safety Greg Wesley and, of course, Trent Green.
"It's part of the game," cornerback Patrick Surtain said. "Injuries are not an excuse. The two young safeties (rookies Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard), you have to give those guys credit. They stepped in and did a terrific job."
Keyaron Fox, who replaced Johnson, led the Chiefs with nine tackles, though he missed a big one on a Miami third-and-long that allowed the Dolphins to advance their drive and eventually pin the Chiefs inside their own 20.
Defensive end Tamba Hali, who injured his hip Nov. 5, played Sunday, though it was one the quietest games of his young career with just one tackle.
Bad day for Huard
Sunday's 15-for-38, 201-yard day was the worst performance of Damon Huard's season in both completion percentage (39) and the second-worst in passer rating, his 57.0 rating barely edging the 50.0 mark he had against Pittsburgh.
The completion percentage was Huard's worst since he went 9-for-25 for Miami in 1999, the worst performance of Huard's career.
L.J. now third
Larry Johnson tied Christian Okoye for No. 3 on the Chiefs career rushing touchdowns list with his 40th. He has 10 rushing TDs on the year and has scored in seven straight games.
Johnson, who finished with 18 carries for 75 yards Sunday, scored on a 2-yard run in the fourth quarter. He now trails Marcus Allen (44) and Priest Holmes (76).
Just kickin' it
Dustin Colquitt punted a career-high eight times Sunday, breaking the record of seven he set against Pittsburgh. Colquitt averaged 40.6 yards on the kicks.
