Defensive Stance Is Chief Ploy

Quarterback Elvis Grbac has missed three consecutive games with a broken collarbone and Marcus Allen, at 37, isn’t the running back he used to be.

So it’s up to the Kansas City defense and special teams to get the Chiefs into the playoffs.

Trailing, 14-10, at halftime Sunday, the Chiefs made it seven consecutive games without giving up a touchdown in the second half in coming back to defeat the Seattle Seahawks, 19-14.

The Chiefs (9-3) defeated the Seahawks (6-6) for the sixth consecutive time and for the 13th time in 14 games.

“We’re on a mission to get somewhere in the postseason,” cornerback Dale Carter said. “That’s why our defense is so good in the second half.”

Kansas City, seeking to make the playoffs for the seventh time in nine seasons since Marty Schottenheimer became coach, saved its best defense for Seattle’s final drive.

Warren Moon moved the Seahawks from their own 20 to the Chief 10 with 1:31 to go, but threw three incomplete passes before Reggie Tongue sacked him and caused a fumble that Dan Williams recovered on the 22.

The Chiefs ran out the final 1:21 to get their fifth victory in six games.

“When my man [Carlester Crumpler] blocked our defensive end, there was no one to block me. No one touched me,” Tongue said.

The Chiefs limited the Seahawks to 68 yards rushing in 23 carries.

“We decided to come after Moon all four downs because we knew they wouldn’t run the ball,” defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham said.

Kansas City didn’t have much offense, but it had enough. Rich Gannon was 15 of 28 passing for 175 yards as Grbac’s replacement and Allen made one of his six carries a one-yard touchdown.