Bono, Allen and Chiefs Do a Snow Job on Broncos

Steve Bono and Marcus Allen built a big lead, and a snowstorm took care of the rest.

Bono ran for one touchdown and passed for another, and Allen became only the fourth player in NFL history to rush for 100 touchdowns as the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos, 21-7, on Sunday.

The snow intensified at halftime and began obliterating the yard markers, but not before the Chiefs (7-1) marched 52 yards for a score early in the third quarter for a 21-7 advantage. Neither team scored after that.

The Broncos are now 4-4.

“We were able to come out in the second half and get points when the weather started getting worse,” Chief Coach Marty Schottenheimer said. “That allowed us to run the ball, and Marcus Allen was unbelievable.”

Allen carried eight times for 33 yards on the third-quarter drive, diving the final yard for rushing touchdown No. 100. The only others to reach that plateau are Walter Payton (110), Jim Brown (106) and John Riggins (104).

“I’m really happy, I really am,” Allen said. “The official asked for the ball, but I told him I was going to keep it.

“When you look at the guys who have achieved this, you realize it’s something special. And it means a little extra because it came in a game that was so important.”

Allen rushed 21 times for 121 yards--the 28th 100-yard rushing performance of his career. It was the first time a Chief running back had gained 100 yards in Denver since Ed Podolak in 1974.

“It basically came down to a nine-on-seven drill, so give the guys up front credit for making it happen,” Allen said. “Obviously, footing was a problem, but it was sort of easy with the way they came off the ball. They are the real heroes.”

While Denver’s John Elway was having difficulty gripping the ball--even resorting to wearing a glove on his throwing hand in the second half--Bono had more success in the inclement conditions, completing 15 of 28 passes for 164 yards. With the lead apparently secure, Bono threw only five passes after intermission.

“I found myself just turning around and watching Marcus run,” Bono said. “He seemed to be picking holes that weren’t even there.”

Elway had three turnovers--two interceptions inside the Kansas City 20-yard line by Dale Carter and a fumble at the Broncos’ 30 that set up the Chiefs’ second score late in the first half.

Elway’s first interception appeared to slip from his hand, and he threw several other wobbly passes. He completed 21 of 40 passes for 214 yards.

“The elements played a part, obviously,” Bronco Coach Mike Shanahan said, “and they handled the elements better than we did. We committed three turnovers and they didn’t commit any.”

Elway said, “I always have had trouble throwing a wet ball. My grip is really tight, and the ball just comes loose. This is the first time I’ve worn a glove. It was a little better in the second half.”

The Chiefs, who had lost 11 consecutive games in Denver before last season, now have won the last two. They’ve also won nine of their last 10 regular-season games.