Chiefs beat Titans in high-octane performance

Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- For two also-rans, the Chiefs and Titans sure know how to put on a show. A long, wild, controversial show.

The Monday night showcase featured 925 yards of offense, a season-high receiving performance, a highly debatable penalty, a bunch of comebacks -- and, finally, a smile on the face of Kansas City coach Dick Vermeil after a 49-38 victory.

''I'm sure it was entertaining,'' said Vermeil, who scowled at his porous defense most of the night. ''Some people may have turned their sets off early. I noticed that a lot of people left the game, the stands had empty seats.

''Pro football is pro football. Two teams, we were both in the playoffs last year and for one reason or another neither team is in the playoffs this year. But that doesn't mean we aren't good football teams or can't play exciting football.''

Or controversial.

Kansas City (5-8), which won 13 games last season, was helped greatly by a phantom penalty, then got the winning points on a 9-yard touchdown catch by Eddie Kennison with 32 seconds remaining. Trent Green capped a 64-yard drive in just over a minute with his third touchdown pass.

One play earlier, referee Tom White called a personal foul on rookie Travis LaBoy for a hit to Green's helmet. But LaBoy clearly hit Green on the shoulder.

''I am disappointed in the performance of Tom White and the job he did officiating that game,'' said coach Jeff Fisher, who as co-chairman of the NFL competition committee rarely criticizes officials. ''You've got to let players play.''

One player who played his best was Titans receiver Drew Bennett, a former college quarterback. He had 233 yards, a career high and the most in the league this season. Bennett caught three touchdown passes from Billy Volek, who threw for a career-high 426 yards in replacing the injured Steve McNair -- one of nine Titans starters not on hand; three more left during the game.

But it wasn't enough for undermanned Tennessee (4-9), which gained 542 yards and lost on a night that even featured a snow shower in Music City.

''It's just a shame it comes like this,'' Bennett said. ''That's about the hardest I've seen a group of guys play for 60 minutes and for it to turn out like this is tough.''

It's been that kind of season for the Titans, who made the playoffs the last two years.

The Titans had gone ahead 38-35 when rookie Randy Starks pounced on Tony Richardson's bobbled handoff at the Kansas City 17, and Gary Anderson kicked a 27-yard field goal with 1:39 remaining. Then the Chiefs, who got two touchdown runs of 46 and 41 yards from Larry Johnson, surged back.

''I was excited, I was pumped,'' Johnson said. ''As soon as I got my chance and my shot, I did everything I had to do and break tackles.''

Tennessee tried a hook-and-ladder play after Kennison's go-ahead TD, but Kawika Mitchell went 39 yards with a fumble for Kansas City's final touchdown.

Not exactly a Music City Miracle.

''This was one of those games that just ended up being a shootout,'' Green said. ''We were behind, clawing our way back and got in position very late in the game to get it done.''

The Titans led much of the night and came back to tie it 35-35 on a 4-yard TD reception by Derrick Mason moments before Green's exchange with fullback Richardson fell to the ground.

A strong second half allowed the Chiefs to overcome Bennett, who easily bettered Denver's Rod Smith's 208 yards against Atlanta on Oct. 31. Bennett, who needed intravenous fluids at halftime, set the season high for yards with a nifty move on a fade pattern for a 7-yard touchdown early in the second half. That gave the Titans a 28-21 lead.

''I felt I could beat the DB every time,'' Bennett said. ''I didn't feel our offense in general could be stopped.''

Johnson, who has emerged from coach Dick Vermeil's doghouse with a burst, rushed for 104 yards on only seven carries in place of injured star Priest Holmes.

Tennessee's Chris Brown went over 1,000 yards rushing for the season on the opening series, but he also fumbled twice. He had a 1-yard TD run before leaving at halftime with a recurrence of his turf toe injury; he gained 91 yards.

He soon was followed to the sideline by tackle Fred Miller (ankle) and center Justin Hartwig (finger).

Kennison also had a big night that featured a 58-yard TD reception as both defenses kept losing track of opposing receivers.

''I don't know how many yards they got,'' Vermeil said, ''but they got a lot.''