Chiefs host playoff-bound Bengals hoping to join them

By Doug Tucker

AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- As usual, Cincinnati goes into the last game of the regular season with little to play for. What's unusual -- downright rare -- is why.

At stake against Kansas City is not whether the normally downtrodden Bengals will head for the golf course the minute the season concludes, but if they'll be a No. 3 or 4 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Win or lose, not much will change for the AFC North champions (11-4) in their last regular-season outing, exactly what players and fans grew accustomed to during a blunder-filled 15-year postseason drought.

''I've never been in that situation,'' said wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. ''I've always been on the flip side of that, getting ready to go home Tuesday after the game on Sunday. So we don't know. We're going to play the game to try to win, I'm quite sure of that.''

Aside from Larry Johnson's opportunity to set a franchise rushing record, the game could either mean everything or nothing at all for the Chiefs (9-6).

It could bring the curtain down on Dick Vermeil's illustrious coaching career. Or it could not. He insists he won't make a decision until afterward.

More than likely, it'll be the final symbolic lap around Arrowhead Stadium for Will Shields, the 11-time Pro Bowler, the finest right guard ever to play for Kansas City.

''There is a lot of uncertainty for us right now,'' said fullback Tony Richardson. ''We know the odds are against us.''

For the Chiefs to sneak past Pittsburgh and claim the AFC's No. 6 seed, they have to beat the Bengals at the same time underdog Detroit (5-10) is upsetting the Steelers (10-5) at Pittsburgh.

But none of that will matter if San Diego beats AFC West champion Denver on Saturday.

''I know for myself, I'm keeping my fingers crossed,'' said cornerback Eric Warfield. ''If things fall our way this weekend, then great. But from what I see right now in this locker room, I don't think anyone's given up.''

The Chiefs could find another reason to bear down and win. Maybe a fourth victory in their final six games would encourage Vermeil, extremely popular with almost every player, to stick around.

A 10-6 record would be a three-game improvement from last year. And Vermeil, 69, has said he might want to coach into his 70s if he senses his team is headed up.

''Some guys might say, 'I want to make this thing look as good as possible so it may give him an inkling to come back,''' said Pro Bowl left guard Brian Waters. ''There's a number of guys who would love for him to look at this team with great optimism and say, 'We're close and I want to be a part of it because those kids are playing for me.'

''I definitely think there are guys in this locker room who think that way.''

A victory would give the Bengals a team-record seven road wins, tie the single-season mark for total wins and also build some momentum.

''Finishing off 12-4 is our goal,'' said Chad Johnson, the AFC leader in receptions and yards receiving. ''I don't want to say the intensity, but the importance of the playoffs starts this week. So we're in playoff mode starting now, and we'll continue going into next week. So you can look for us to actually be playing like it's our first playoff game.''

But fresh in their minds has to be their regular-season finale a year ago when Philadelphia rested a number of starters in a 38-10 loss and then rolled on to the Super Bowl.

One Bengal who may not play much is Pro Bowl quarterback Carson Palmer. He needs only 176 yards passing to break the team record, but was slowed all week with a strained groin.

Even if Palmer does start, no one would be surprised if backup Jon Kitna finishes.

''I don't know what's going to happen,'' said Chad Johnson. ''I know I'm playing the entire game. I am not coming out.''

Kansas City's Larry Johnson, the hottest running back in thu NFL, has surged into the AFC rushing lead on the heels of his eighth straight 100-yard game and needs only 67 yards to overtake the team rushing record of 1,615 by Priest Holmes.

But it's the Bengals who definitely will keep playing another week.

''I think it's a different feel for our fans,'' said Cincinnati tackle Willie Anderson. ''In years past we have been packing it up at this time of the season. I think our fans have been caving it in, too. It's a new experience for everybody.''