Fast Start by Krieg Finishes Redskins : Interconference: Chiefs’ quarterback passes for 232 yards in first half of 35-16 victory over Washington.

Dave Krieg’s first-half performance Sunday was the best of his career.

The Kansas City quarterback emerged from a two-game slump with 232 passing yards before halftime, and helped propel the Chiefs to a 35-16 victory over the Washington Redskins.

Krieg’s 232 yards in the first half exceeded his combined total for the two previous games, when he had four interceptions and no touchdowns.

“That first half was about as good as anybody could ask for,” said Krieg, who finished 19 of 29 for 302 yards and two touchdowns to Tim Barnett. “You can’t do everything perfect. Football’s not an exact science. I think we kind of relaxed for a while in the second half.”

The Chiefs (6-4) scored on their first four possessions and had a 28-0 lead at halftime. But the Redskins (6-4) came back in the second half to set up three field goals by Chip Lohmiller and Ricky Ervins’ five-yard touchdown run, cutting the lead to 28-16 with 13:30 left.

Barnett, who caught six passes for 148 yards, put the game away for the Chiefs when he beat A.J. Johnson on a 35-yard touchdown pass play.

“They’re as talented as any group we’ve played,” said Redskin quarterback Mark Rypien, who completed 23 of 40 passes for 217 yards. “We couldn’t get anything going in the first half. Then, when we did have some opportunities, we couldn’t put it in the end zone.”

Harvey Williams, who has been slowed all year by various injuries, gained 88 yards in 19 carries, and picked up the offense when Krieg’s passing touch deserted him in the third quarter.

“It is tough times for us,” Redskin Coach Joe Gibbs said. “That first half we dug ourselves a tremendous hole. We tried to rally, but we just dug ourselves too deep a hole.”

Krieg led an 11-play, 60-yard drive in the first quarter that ended with Christian Okoye’s two-yard scoring run.

Krieg connected with Barnett on a 44-yard touchdown pass play on first down after Charles Mincy’s second-quarter interception of a pass by Rypien.

Krieg passed nine yards to J.J. Birden and 14 yards to Fred Jones during an 11-play, 83-yard drive midway through the second quarter that set up a three-yard scoring run by Okoye.

On their next possession, Krieg drove the Chiefs 88 yards in 13 plays. Williams scored on a five yard run up the middle for a 28-0 lead.