Chiefs at Seahawks
Kingdome, Seattle, Wash.,
Sunday, Dec. 26

AT A GLANCE: The red-hot Chiefs, who have won four straight games, visit the struggling Seahawks, who have lost four straight. The winner of this game will control its destiny in the AFC West race going into the season’s final weekend.

Kansas City found itself at a crossroads after a Week 11 home loss to Seattle. The Seahawks improved to 8-2 and opened a three-game lead over the Chiefs with the 31-19 win.

Since then, the teams have gone in opposite directions. Kansas City (9-5) has righted itself with four consecutive wins, including a 35-19 victory over Pittsburgh last week.

Meanwhile, Seattle (8-6) has fallen apart, losing four straight. Last week the Seahawks rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final two minutes to force overtime. But the Broncos returned a Jon Kitna fumble for a touchdown in the extra frame to earn a 36-30 win. The Seahawks, who have not been to the playoffs since 1988, are starting to question themselves a little bit, wondering just how good they are.

But despite their recent rotten stretch, the Seahawks still control their own destiny. If Seattle beats Kansas City, it will take the tiebreaker over the Chiefs with the season sweep. With both teams at 9-6, Seattle would be able to clinch the division crown with a win in Week 17.

Things are simpler for Kansas City, which can clinch the division title with a win over Seattle.

WHEN THE CHIEFS HAVE THE BALL:

QB Elvis Grbac has played very efficiently this season. Although he still makes some mistakes, he has made some big plays. He has two big-play targets in TE Tony Gonzalez, who has six TD catches in the last four games, and WR Derrick Alexander, who had 101 receiving yards vs. Seattle in Week 11. Grbac’s prowess with play-action fakes has contributed to his success this season.

The Chiefs’ running game doesn’t have a definitive leader, but it has been effective all season. Donnell Bennett (who missed last week’s game with an ankle injury), Bam Morris and Tony Richardson are strong inside runners, and rookie Mike Cloud brings an outside threat. They face a Seattle defense that has given up more than 100 rushing yards in four straight games. The recent return of DT Sam Adams from injury didn’t help matters much last week.