WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Kansas City Chiefs

In a game that was for the most part an offensive shoot out, it was a big defensive play by the Kansas City Chiefs that was the deciding factor. Kawika Mitchell recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown, ending the game.

Trent Green started the first quarter relatively slowly. But in the second quarter, he connected for two touchdown passes one to Eddie Kennison, the other to Johnnie Morton. In the second half, a concentrated effort to get the ball into the hands of Tony Gonzalez who finished with 7 receptions for 76 yards kept the momentum going for the Chiefs. Gonzalez made a reception to the 1 yard line that was originally ruled a touchdown, but after review the call was overruled.

Derrick Blaylock benefited from that overruling and scored his one yard touchdown 3 plays later. Blaylock began the game as the featured running back for the Chiefs, and finished with 51 yards and a touchdown on his 14 carries. But when the game was done and over, he had clearly been outplayed by Larry Johnson who rushed for 104 yards on 7 carries. Johnson broke two long rushes for over 40 yards both for touchdowns.

In spite of garnering a combined 14 targets from Trent Green, Johnnie Morton and Eddie Kennison each only made two receptions. But it has to be said that 3 of those four receptions were for touchdowns.

Tennessee Titans

Billy Volek had the best game of his career, throwing for 426 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Chiefs were able to get a little pressure on him, sacking him 5 times. But Volek found the way to evade the pressure and make key completions time and time again.

Drew Bennett shone on the Monday night stage as well. He caught 12 passes for 233 yards and scored 3 touchdowns. Volek looked to him and found him deep. Derrick Mason added an additional touchdown where he completely beat the coverage of Andre Dyson for the 9 yard score.

Chris Brown only played in the first half of the game before his injured toe kept him out. He did rush for 91 yards on his 15 carries. But he also fumbled and lost the ball twice. Antowain Smith played primarily in the second half and finished with 10 carries for 31 yards.

WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW

Kansas City Chiefs

QB: Trent Green (18-32-244, 3 TD, 1 INT, 2 for -1 rushing, 1 fumble lost) Trent Green threw for 3 touchdowns in this win. He connected with Eddie Kennison twice for touchdowns, one for 58 yards and a second for 9 yards; as well as with Johnnie Morton for a 30 yard touchdown. Green was nearly intercepted on a pass intended for Eddie Kennison, and then in the second quarter he did throw an interception on a pass intended again for Kennison. Near the end of the game, he lost a fumble that was recovered by the Titans and nearly gave the Titans the edge.

RB: Larry Johnson (7-104, 2 TD rushing, 2-19 receiving on 2 targets) Larry Johnson displayed great speed in both of his touchdown runs. He broke a tackle and outran the Titans along the sidelines for a 46 yard touchdown. Then in the fourth quarter, he scored a second touchdown rushing straight up the middle for 41 yards.

Derrick Blaylock (14-51, 1 TD rushing, 2-22 receiving on 3 targets) Derrick Blaylock was stopped for a loss on his first carry of the game. He did not find much running room until the second half of the game, when he was able to gain 17 yards on a carry up the middle. This matched his total rushing yards to that point in the game. He factored into the receiving game and gained 15 yards on a reception. In the third quarter, after Tony Gonzalez's reception to the 1 yard line, Blaylock rushed three times and finally made it in to score the touchdown.

Tony Richardson (1-0 rushing) Fullback Richardson was not a real factor in the game.

WR: Eddie Kennison (2-67, 2 TD receiving on 6 targets) Eddie Kennison drew a defensive pass interference call on his first target. He was able to break up what would have been an interception by Andre Dyson. Eddie Kennison was wide open for a 58 yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. With less than a minute left to play, Kennison beat Andre Dyson and was wide open to make a 9-yard reception for a second touchdown that gave the Chiefs the lead.

Johnnie Morton (2-45, 1 TD receiving on 8 targets, 1 for -8 rushing) Johnnie Morton was given the ball on an end around but stopped in the backfield. Morton's first passing target was knocked down and his second went right through his hands. Morton's first reception of the game came at the end of the first half and was for a 30 yard touchdown.

Chris Horn (1-17 receiving on 1 target) Chris Horn made a 17 yard reception during the Chief's last scoring drive.

Dante Hall (1 for -2 receiving on 1 target) Hall's only reception of the game was Trent Green's first completion, but Hall was stopped for a loss.

TE: Tony Gonzalez (7-76 receiving on 13 targets) Tony Gonzalez made a 17 yard reception during the Chiefs' opening drive, but it was 3 yards short of a first down. On a play action pass, Gonzalez made a reception to the 1 yard line, it was originally ruled a touchdown but the play was challenged and was reversed. With the game on the line in the third and fourth quarter, Trent Green looked to Gonzalez often.

Jason Dunn (1-0 receiving on 3 targets) Jason Dunn made his reception in the first quarter.

K: Lawrence Tynes (7 XP) Tynes converted all seven of his extra point attempts.

Pass Defense: The Kansas City defense was unable to stop Billy Volek and Drew Bennett. Volek threw for over 400 yards in the game, even though he was sacked 5 times. Kansas City was called for roughing the passer and on the subsequent play, Chris Brown scored his touchdown.

Rush Defense: The Chiefs gave up 163 rushing yards to the Titans. But in spite of that, some key turnovers helped to decide the game. Shaunard Harts was able to force Chris Brown's fumble during the opening drive and it was recovered by Kawika Mitchell. The Chiefs forced an additional 3 fumbles from the Titans. The last clinched the game and was returned by Kawika Mitchell for a touchdown.

Tennessee Titans

QB: Billy Volek (29-43-426, 4 TD, 2-24 rushing) Billy Volek started in place of Steve McNair and played admirably in his stead. The name of the game for the Titans was Volek to Bennett. At the end of the first half, Volek had already thrown for 274 yards and 2 touchdowns. 192 of those yards and both touchdowns were to his favorite target Drew Bennett. The Chiefs were able to get pressure on Volek, but he responded by very well and was still able to make completions.

RB: Chris Brown (15-91, 1 TD rushing, 1-13 receiving on 1 target, 2 fumbles lost) Chris Brown only played in the first half of the game. He was able to gain yardage against the Chiefs and finished with 91 yards on 15 carries. He gained 6 yards on his first carry of the game. His second was for 18 yards. On the very next drive, Brown capitalized on a roughing the passer call against the Chiefs with a 1 yard touchdown run. Brown made a screen pass reception and was able to make a great move to gain 13 yards. The only downside to a very productive half was the two fumbles that Brown lost in the first half of play.

Antowain Smith (10-31 rushing, 2-38 receiving on 2 targets) Antowain Smith saw his first carry in relief of Chris Brown in the second quarter. After the half, Smith was the primary rusher for the Titans. Smith gained 31 yards on a screen pass.

Troy Fleming (1-13 rushing, 2-4 receiving on 3 targets) Fullback Troy Fleming was used in a successful fake punt attempt where the ball was snapped outside to him.

Robert Holcombe (5-4 rushing, 0-0 receiving on 1 target) Holcombe was utilized primarily in the fourth quarter of play.

WR: Drew Bennett (12-233, 3 TD receiving on 17 targets) Drew Bennett was once again the favorite target of Billy Volek and had an amazing evening with his 233 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. He was the deep threat that Volek looked to often. Bennett made a 42 yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. Bennett almost made another touchdown reception, and leaped to grab the ball in coverage but was unable to maintain possession. With only seconds left in the half, Bennett made a 22 yard reception for a touchdown.

Derrick Mason (3-22, 1 TD receiving on 7 targets) Derrick Mason was hit in the opening drive, and sat out the second drive with a sprained left ankle. He came back into the game on the next drive. Mason was targeted in the end zone; he wasn't able to make the catch but drew a defensive pass interference call. Mason made a 4 yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter that tied the game.

Jason McAddley (1-36 receiving on 1 target, 1 fumble lost) Jason McAddley made a 36 yard reception near the end of the first half that set up Drew Bennett's second touchdown.

Eddie Berlin (1-4 receiving on 4 targets) Eddie Berlin saw time when Derrick Mason was out of the game. Berlin was targeted in the end zone, but the ball was tipped.

TE: Shad Meier (4-50 receiving on 4 targets, 1 fumble lost) Shad Meier made a 29 yard reception to the outside in the third quarter. With seconds left in the game Meier made a 9 yard reception and then attempted to toss it to Robert Holcombe who dropped the pass. It was recovered by Kansas City and returned for a touchdown.

Ben Troupe (1-16 receiving on 2 targets) Ben Troupe was targeted but the pass was too short. He made his only reception in the fourth quarter of play.

Erron Kinney (2-10 receiving on 3 targets) Erron Kinney made the first reception of the game. He was targeted in the end zone, but Volek threw the pass just a little short.

K: Gary Anderson (5 XP, 1-2 FG) Gary Anderson missed on a 50 yard field goal attempt. But he did make a 27 yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

Pass Defense: Like the Kansas City defense, the Titans were outmatched by the Chiefs' offense. Trent Green threw for 244 yards and 3 touchdowns. Michael Waddell intercepted Trent Green during the second quarter.

Rush Defense: Larry Johnson and Derrick Blaylock rushed for a combined 155 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. Randy Starks forced and recovered a fumble by Trent Green with nearly 2 minutes left in the game and that led to Gary Anderson's field goal.