Vermeil Is Off to a Better Start Than Schottenheimer

With quarterback Trent Green looking sharp and running back Priest Holmes averaging almost 10 yards in three carries, the Kansas City Chiefs shut out the Washington Redskins, 20-0, Sunday night in the debut of new Coach Dick Vermeil at Kansas City, Mo.

Thoroughly spoiled was the Redskin debut of Coach Marty Schottenheimer, the Chiefs’ coach from 1989-98.

The Chiefs had 412 total yards to only 99 for the Redskins, who were without injured quarterback Jeff George.

Vermeil, lured out of a one-year retirement, saw the good and bad.

“I was very pleased with our execution in every phase of the game,” he said. “We’re also aware that the Redskins came in without their starting quarterback.”

Green completed six of 11 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.

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St. Louis 24, Buffalo 10--Quarterback Marc Bulger led a game-winning drive for the second consecutive week, leading the Rams to a victory at Buffalo, N.Y.

Bulger, a rookie free agent, led the Rams on a nine-play, 71-yard drive, capped by Justin Watson’s five-yard run up the middle that gave St. Louis a 14-10 lead 1:21 into the fourth quarter.

The Rams then sealed the victory, scoring 10 points on consecutive plays with less than six minutes left. On the kickoff following Jeff Wilkins’ 43-yard field goal, St. Louis’ Chris Cummings recovered Avion Black’s fumble and ran it in from 19 yards.

Bulger, who completed 10 of 15 passes for 112 yards, is in contention to stick with the Rams after third-stringer Paul Justin tore a ligament in his right knee against Miami, ending his season.

Except for rookie running back Travis Henry, who scored on a 25-yard run, the Bills’ new West Coast offense sputtered. Henry, asecond-round draft pick, led all rushers with six carries for 47 yards.

Bill starting quarterback Rob Johnson was in for three series, completing three of five passes for 13 yards.

Ram quarterback Kurt Warner was in for only one series, completing two of three passes for 27 yards.

The bad news for the Rams was a knee injury to defensive end Grant Wistrom, one of the defense’s few returning starters.

Ram Coach Mike Martz was concerned about the injury.

“I know that it’s not ligaments. . . . But I would suspect he’s going to be out for quite some time,” Martz said.