Browns Slow Hall, but Not the Chiefs

Sometimes only great plays stop great players.

Chris Crocker avoided a block and made a desperation ankle tackle of Dante Hall on Sunday, keeping the NFL’s most electrifying player from uncorking a record-breaking fifth touchdown return.

Hall’s return ended up going 77 yards and set up Morten Andersen’s 29-yard field goal Sunday, paving the way for a 41-20 victory over Cleveland that kept Kansas City (9-0) as the NFL’s only unbeaten team.

“I’m thinking, ‘Oh, my God.’ That’s literally what I’m thinking,” Crocker said. “Somehow I managed to get him on the ground.”

Said Hall: “You’ve got to take your hat off to him. He played it well.”

Trent Green threw three touchdown passes and Priest Holmes scored two touchdowns as the streaking Chiefs took a four-game lead over Denver in the AFC West.

The Browns (3-6), weakened all year by injuries, were without leading running back William Green, who was suspended for one game.

“I don’t know when it’s going to be, but we’re going to win some games,” Cleveland Coach Butch Davis said.

As Crocker and Hall picked themselves off the turf, Cleveland players high-fived and congratulated the rookie safety as though he had scored the game-winning touchdown. Hall immediately went over to console teammate Gary Stills, who failed to block the oncoming Crocker.

“Dante said it’s OK, that we’ll get them next time. But it was bad judgment on my part,” said Stills, one of the Chiefs’ best special teams players. “It was a good play. That was really good hustle.”

Hall, who had touchdown returns in four straight games earlier in the season, totaled 159 yards in kick returns.

“It doesn’t surprise you that Dante Hall does that,” Chief Coach Dick Vermeil said. “I promise you he will do it again.”

Green hit 29 of 42 passes for 368 yards, and Holmes had 93 yards rushing and 66 receiving. He has six touchdowns in his last two games against Cleveland.