Dolphins at Chiefs
THE STORY: After an 0-3 start, the Kansas City Chiefs have amazingly thrust themselves into a three-way tie in the AFC West. And with home games in succession against two of the worst teams in the NFL beginning with Sunday’s contest against the winless Miami Dolphins, the Chiefs are in a position to take control of the division. Kansas City reached the top with an improbable 23-20 overtime victory over the San Diego Chargers on Monday, made possible by Philip Rivers’ fumble when it appeared the Chargers would kick a short field goal to win the game in regulation. The Dolphins are getting closer to their first victory after they put a scare into the New York Giants before falling 20-17 last week.
TV: CBS, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Chiefs -4, O/U 40.5
ABOUT THE CHIEFS (4-3): With three Pro Bowl players lost for the season and after being outscored 109-27 through Week 3, the prospects for any success in Kansas City seemed bleak. The Chiefs, though, have caught fire and the emergence of rookie wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin (five catches, 82 yards, first career touchdown against San Diego) provides quarterback Matt Cassel with another playmaker opposite Pro Bowler Dwayne Bowe. With Denver coming to town next week, and San Diego and Oakland playing each other Thursday, Kansas City could be alone in first with a win over the Broncos. The Chiefs haven’t won five in row since starting 9-0 in 2003.
ABOUT THE DOLPHINS (0-7): Miami has taken strides to win its first game – it has led its last two with less than six minutes left. The Dolphins’ offense received a boost from running back Reggie Bush, who posted his first 100-yard rushing game since 2006 with 103 last week. Quarterback Matt Moore, though, has one touchdown and four interceptions in four starts since replacing Chad Henne. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall has six touchdowns in his last four games against Kansas City while a member of the Broncos. After Sunday, Miami plays four of its next five games at home. The Dolphins are 9-5 in November under coach Tony Sparano.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Chiefs running back Jackie Battle has helped offset the loss of Jamaal Charles by averaging 88.3 yards in his last three games.
2. Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano caught a career-best two touchdowns in Miami’s 38-31 victory at Kansas City in the last meeting Dec. 21, 2008.
3. Since the start of the 2010 season, the Chiefs are 9-2 at home.