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Surging Chiefs visit Dolphins for second straight season

Nov 7, 2006 - 9:18 PM Kansas City (5-3) at Miami (2-6) Sunday 1:00 pm EST

MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Kansas City Chiefs don't have a hurricane to worry about in their latest trip to South Florida.

Riding the red-hot Larry Johnson and efficient play of Damon Huard, the Chiefs visit the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

It marks the second straight season the Chiefs are visiting the Dolphins after they posted a 30-20 victory here last October 21.

The contest last season was played on a Friday night due to the impending threat of Hurricane Wilma. The Chiefs flew to Miami on Friday morning, becoming the first team in NFL history to travel and play on the same day.

The travel had little effect on the Chiefs, who used their power running game to control the ball for nearly 42 minutes. Johnson rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown to lead the ground game, which amassed 185 yards.

Playing behind a revamped offensive line, Johnson got off to a slow start this season. But he enters with three straight games of at least 132 yards, totaling 459 yards and six rushing touchdowns while also adding a receiving score.

Johnson rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown in last week's 31-17 victory at St. Louis. Kansas City has won three straight and five of its last six games after an 0-2 start.

A major reason for the Chiefs' turnaround has been due to the play of career backup Damon Huard, who is 5-2 as starter in place of Trent Green, who remains sidelined with a concussion.

Huard completed 10-of-15 passes for 148 yards and three TDs last week. He has completed 64.5 percent (131-of-203) of his passes for 1,623 yards and 11 touchdowns with just one interception.

Huard played the first four years (1997-2000) of his career with the Dolphins, serving as a backup to Hall of Famer Dan Marino. He also was the backup in New England to three-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady before signing with Kansas City in 2004 to back up Green.

The game marks another return to Miami for Kansas City cornerback Patrick Surtain and strong safety Sammy Knight.

Surtain and Sam Madison formed one of the NFL's top cornerback tandems in Miami since Surtain became a starter in 1999. Knight spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons with the Dolphins.

Dolphins coach Nick Saban decided to part with Surtain and Knight for salary cap flexibility.

The Chiefs acquired Surtain from Miami in April 2005 for two draft picks, including a second-rounder, and signed him to a seven-year contract worth $50.8 million, including $14 million guaranteed. Knight was signed as an unrestricted free agent prior to last season.

Enduring a miserable season, the Dolphins pulled off the biggest upset in the league last week with a 31-13 victory at previously unbeaten Chicago.

The Dolphins turned six turnovers into 28 points against the Bears. Defensive end Jason Taylor led the way, returning an interception 20 yards for a touchdown, recording a sack and also forcing a fumble.

Ronnie Brown carried the offense, rushing for a career-high 157 yards on 29 carries. Joey Harrington also passed for three touchdowns, although he was picked off twice.