The Chiefs are enjoying the role of bully having beaten up on two young quarterbacks in as many weeks. Second-year quarterback Alex Smith and his 49ers team did not fare well in a 41-0 loss a week ago. Kansas City traveled to Arizona Sunday to welcome Matt Leinart, who was making the first start of his career, to the NFL.
Leinart started off well, completing his first six passes, leading the Cardinals to a 17-10 advantage at halftime. Two of those completions went for touchdowns.
The Cardinals extended their lead to 20-10 to begin the fourth quarter, but then the Chiefs got hot. Damon Huard connected with Samie Parker for a 15 yard touchdown pass that cut the lead to 20-17. Leinart, who managed the game pretty well, made his biggest mistake throwing a late out-route to Anquan Boldin. Chiefs cornerback Ty Law, who led the NFL with 10 interceptions last season, stepped in front Boldin and picked off the pass. Law’s interception turned into a Lawrence Tynes 40-yard field goal that tied the game at 20-20. Another Tynes field goal with 1:36 in the fourth put the Chiefs up 23-20 for good.
Larry Johnson trolled through a tough outing that only seemed to get worse. Arizona’s defense held Johnson to just 36 yards on 16 carries, but he left the game in the fourth quarter after Antrel Rolle grabbed Johnson’s facemask and twisted his head around. Johnson laid still for a moment before getting up and walking off on his own power.
