Chiefs Win Afc West Old Pro Marcus Allen Foils Ex-Team Again

There were two themes to the Kansas City Chiefs’ 29-23 win Sunday over the Oakland Raiders.

Marcus Allen was one, the inexorable march of the ugly duckling Chiefs toward an AFC championship was the other.

The 35-year-old Allen, in his first game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, rushed for 124 yards to lead the Chiefs to their second AFC West title in three seasons - not bad for a team picked to finish fourth or fifth in the division after Joe Montana’s retirement.

Allen also the became the first player in the NFL’s 77-year history to run for more than 10,000 yards and catch 5,000 yards in passes.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ defense held Oakland to just eight yards rushing.

“We’re still not a good team,” Allen said after the victory over the team that discarded him. “We’re just beating good teams.”

Well, not really that good - with starting quarterback Jeff Hostetler on the sidelines with a shoulder injury the Raiders lost for the third straight time.

This was the Chiefs’ fifth straight win and 12th in 13 games over the Raiders, but the first in that streak in Oakland.

“There’s something missing on this team,” said Raiders’ coach Mike White. “It’s a state of mind. I’m not sure what it is … consistency, maybe. But this is as low as it’s ever been.”

Broncos 31, Jaguars 23

John Elway compensated for a poor special teams showing, passing for four touchdowns as Denver improved its playoff hopes with a win over visiting Jacksonville.

Denver is tied with Indianapolis and Miami for the final two AFC wild-card slots.

Redskins 24, Cowboys 17

With a brilliant game plan centered around Heath Shuler and Terry Allen, Washington used coach Norv Turner’s knowledge of his former employers to stun Dallas and sweep the two-game series for the first time since 1987.

Allen scored two touchdowns and Shuler passed for another as the visiting Redskins snapped a four-game losing streak. The Cowboys’ loss to their former offensive coordinator prevented Dallas from clinching a playoff spot.

The Redskins beat Dallas 27-23 in the season’s fifth game when Allen scored twice and gained 123 yards.

Chargers 31, Browns 13

With Natrone Means sidelined for the fourth straight game, Aaron Hayden rushed 32 times for 127 yards and his first two NFL touchdowns as San Diego beat visiting Cleveland to keep its faint playoff hopes alive.

The defending AFC champion Chargers won their second game in six days to improve to 6-7. Monday night, they ended a three-game losing streak, beating Oakland 12-6.

Dolphins 21, Falcons 20

At Miami, Irving Fryar juggled and then caught Dan Marino’s 21-yard touchdown pass with 11 seconds left, giving Miami and beleaguered coach Don Shula a victory over stunned Atlanta.

The Dolphins rallied from a 20-9 deficit with two touchdowns in the last 8 minutes, and Marino drove them 72 yards in the final 1:49 for the winning score.

Packers 24, Bengals 10

Brett Favre threw for three touchdowns in Green Bay’s victory over visiting Cincinnati after suggesting during the week he was more valuable to the Packers than Troy Aikman or Steve Young were to their teams.

Favre completed 31 of 43 passes for 339 yards, his fifth 300-yard game this year and 10th of his career.

Favre’s performance backed up his words and put Green Bay alone atop the NFC Central in December for the first time since 1972, the last time they won the division.

Saints 31, Patriots 17

At Foxboro, Mass., Jim Everett’s touchdown passes of 50 yards to Quinn Early and 69 yards to Lorenzo Neal, and Mario Bates’ 66-yard run boosted New Orleans to a win over New England.

It was the fifth victory in six games for New Orleans. With the Pats needing a big play to get back in the game, Drew Bledsoe was intercepted in the end zone by Shane Pahukoa with 6:11 left.

Panthers 13, Colts 10

Carolina continued its stunning first-year run with an important assist from Indianapolis defensive back Derwin Gray.

Gray’s face-mask penalty set up a 38-yard field goal by John Kasay with 8 seconds left, giving Carolina a victory at Clemson, S.C.

Rams 23, Jets 20

You can hold down Isaac Bruce only so long.

New York stymied the Rams’ premier receiver for much of the game. Much wasn’t enough, however, as Bruce broke free for two third-down touchdown receptions in St. Louis’ victory.

In all, Bruce had six receptions for 69 yards. His 26-yard catch over Aaron Glenn helped St. Louis use up the clock to secure victory.

Steelers 21, Oilers 7

At Pittsburgh, Neil O’Donnell threw two touchdown passes on an otherwise off day as Pittsburgh wrapped up its third AFC Central title in coach Bill Cowher’s four seasons by beating Houston.

Despite throwing his first three interceptions in a month, O’Donnell found Yancey Thigpen and Mark Bruener on first-half TD passes as Pittsburgh beat a relocating division opponent for the second consecutive week.

Vikings 31, Buccaneers 17

With Cris Carter and Amp Lee providing the offense at Minneaplois, Minnesota’s defense had eight sacks as the Vikings breezed to victory over Tampa Bay.

49ers 27, Bills 17

At San Francisco, linebacker Gary Plummer forced a goal-line fumble by Darick Holmes with a devastating hit and Lee Woodall recovered and raced 96 yards for a touchdown to key San Francisco’s fourth straight victory.

The score was tied 10-10 about 5 minutes into the third period and the Bills appeared poised to take command after a 15-yard run by Holmes gave them a first-and-goal at the 1. But Plummer launched himself into Holmes and knocked the ball loose. Woodall outraced Carwell Gardner and Tim Tindale to give San Francisco a 17-10 lead and complete the second-longest fumble return in 49ers history.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: SUNDAY’S BEST Quarterbacks Dan Marino, Mia.35-50-343 Brett Favre, G.B.31-43-339 Vinny Testaverde, Cle.28-41-303

Running backs Aaron Hayden, S.D.32-127-2 Marcus Allen, K.C.21-124-1 Mario Bates, N.O.15-123-2

Receivers Tim Brown, Oak.10-150-1 Cris Carter, Min.6-136-2 Tony Martin, S.D.9-132-1