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Chiefs look to continue December home success, face Ravens

Dec 5, 2006 - 6:57 PM Baltimore (9-3) at Kansas City (7-5) Sunday 1:00 pm ESTKANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- The Kansas City Chiefs wouldrather be nowhere else in December than Arrowhead Stadium.The Chiefs put their 18-game home winning streak in December onthe line Sunday when they meet the Baltimore Ravens.Kansas City has not lost at home in December since dropping a24-19 decision to Indianapolis in 1996.However, all the Chiefs' success likely will not intimidate theRavens, who have a two-game lead over Cincinnati in the AFCNorth.Led by middle linebacker Ray Lewis and their talented secondarythat features cornerback Chris McAlister and free safety Ed Reed,the Ravens rank first in total defense, allowing just 267.4yards per game.Giving up 75.8 yards per game to rank second against the run,the Ravens should receive a major challenge from Larry Johnson,who is second in the NFL with 1,312 rushing yards. Johnsonenters this contest in the midst of three straight 100-yardgames.Last Sunday, Johnson rushed for 110 yards and Trent Green passedfor four touchdowns in a 31-28 overtime loss at Cleveland.Kansas City squandered a 14-point fourth-quarter lead.While the Ravens have a comfortable lead in their division, theChiefs are fighting for their playoff lives. They are threegames back of San Diego in the AFC West and one of five teams inthe conference with a 7-5 record.Baltimore has had extra time off to prepare for this contestafter enduring a 13-7 setback at Cincinnati last Thursday. SteveMcNair struggled to get any consistency going as he completed26-of-43 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown.