This week’s action takes us back to Arrowhead Stadium. The Kansas City Chiefs (3-3/2-1 at home) are ready to host a weakened and depleted Seattle Seahawks team who are first in the NFC West with a 4-2 record with a 2-1 on the road. Big difference this week is they will be missing QB Matt Hasselbeck (sprained knee), MVP RB Shaun Alexander (broken foot) and starting receiver Bobby Engram (thyroid condition).
All players were key factor in Seattle’s performance during the 2005 season. Since losing Shaun Alexander they have lost 2 of the last 3 they have played with substitute Maurice Morris who’s only rushed for 158 yards and has not scored a touch down.
New quarterbacks will be taking the field in Kansas City on Sunday but Trent Green’s substitution, Damon Huard has actually seemed to improve as the season reaches the mid point. Damon Huard (104 completions of 163 attempts with 1163 passing yards and 7 TDs) has reached a career high 96.7 quarterback rating up to now.
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If Damon can continue to establish a rhythm with TE Tony Gonzalez (27 receptions for 325 yards) with 6 receptions on last Sunday and score more touchdowns through Eddie Kennison (18 receptions for 274 2 TDs) and Kris Wilson, who caught two last weekend and scored an 11 yard touch down, RB Larry Johnson may concentrate more on the running game against a defense that has permitted 553 rushing yards.
Larry Johnson scored two touchdowns on 28 carries this weekend against a very strong San Diego Charger defense; his ground attack covered a season high 132 yards and was essential in delivering a blow to Marty Schottenheimer’s squad. This week he’ll be facing an NFL eighth place defense that allows 92.2 rushing yards per game.
Seattle will start with replacement for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, Seneca Wallace. Wallace threw for 134 yards and two interceptions and will make his first career start in Kansas City. Head Coach Herman Edwards considers the youngster a “heck of a player” and admitted to bringing a plan along with the young QB for Sunday. There is no doubt that Wallace will make an effort to connect with Darrell Jackson who caught a 72 yard TD in the 1st quarter thrown by Seattle’s starter Hasselbeck, before the injury.
The line started at a pick but has gravitated towards a KC -6 favorite. A weak Seattle (2-4-0 ATS) team on the road seems very improbable to win this match up and a 2-1-0 ATS Kansas City at home looks only like a team that will win and cover. The total projected is 38½ and seems very probable to stay under in a slow paced running game with very cold weather expected.
