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THIS WEEK: Kansas City Chiefs (1-3)
LAST WEEK: Defeated the Denver Broncos 33-19.
What Went Right
Larry Johnson ran all over the Broncos, rushing for 198 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a 65-yarder that set up a field goal.
Quarterback
Damon Huard, filling in for the injured
Brody Croyle (shoulder), had an efficient day, completing 21-of-28 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown.
The Chiefs secondary intercepted Broncos quarterback
Jay Cutler (one of the NFL's hottest players so far) twice.
What Went Wrong
The Chiefs secondary also allowed Cutler to throw for 361 yards. He completed 29-of-49 passes.
The defense continued to allow big yards, with the Broncos gaining 446 total yards.
3 Players to Watch
Johnson: He complained publicly a few weeks ago that the Chiefs were phasing him out. But his 198-yard performance against the Broncos certainly proves otherwise.
Tight end
Tony Gonzalez: His receptions (838) and touchdowns (68) are more than any other tight end in NFL history. He needs 3 yards to break the career record for yardage (
Shannon Sharpe has 10,060).
Defensive tackle
Glenn Dorsey: The Chiefs' first-round draft pick from Louisiana State has 13 tackles, but doesn't have a sack yet.
By the Numbers
9 Consecutive Pro Bowls played in by Gonzalez.
12 Game losing streak snapped last week (over two seasons), longest in franchise history.
29 Chiefs' rank in total defense (379.3 yards per game).
Observations
Johnson hasn't been the only Chiefs player complaining: Gonzalez said he wasn't happy he didn't get a chance break the career-yardage record at home against the Broncos. He'll certainly get it Sunday in Bank of America Stadium.
The Chiefs' backup quarterback is
Tyler Thigpen, a second-year player who's from Winnsboro, S.C., and played at Coastal Carolina.
With Croyle out, No.2 quarterback Damon Huard started in Week 2, but was hurt early in the game. Thigpen replaced him in a 23-8 loss against Oakland. Thigpen started in a 38-14 loss against Atlanta in Week3. He's got a 38.3 passer rating.
Croyle hurt his shoulder in a season-opening loss against New England. He's expected back this month.
The Series
The Chiefs lead 2-1. The Panthers' lone victory came the last time they played, 28-17 in 2004 in Kansas City. The victory evened the Panthers' record at 1-1 – and they promptly went on a six-game losing streak.
