Call Goes Chiefs’ Way in Dramatic End

Two of the league’s most disappointing teams put on quite a show in prime time.

And after all the wild plays and big offensive numbers Monday night, a phantom penalty, followed by a nine-yard touchdown catch by Eddie Kennison, lifted the Kansas City Chiefs past the undermanned Tennessee Titans, 49-38.

Trent Green capped a 64-yard drive in just over a minute with his third touchdown pass.

One play earlier, he was aided immensely by a personal foul on rookie Travis LaBoy for a hit to Green’s helmet. But LaBoy clearly hit Green on the shoulder.

“I am disappointed in the performance of [referee] Tom White and the job he did officiating that game,” said Titan Coach Jeff Fisher, co-chairman of the NFL competition committee. “You’ve got to let players play.”

The teams combined for 925 yards, 233 by Titan receiver Drew Bennett, a personal best and the most in the league this season. Bennett, a converted quarterback, caught three touchdown passes from Billy Volek, who threw for 426 yards, the most of his career, in replacing injured Steve McNair.

Tennessee (4-9) gained 542 yards and lost on a night that even featured a snow shower in the Music City.

The Titans had gone ahead, 38-35, when rookie Randy Starks pounced on Tony Richardson’s bobbled handoff at the Kansas City 17, and Gary Anderson kicked a 27-yard field goal with 1:39 remaining. Then the Chiefs (5-8), who got two long touchdown runs from Larry Johnson, surged back.

They completed the scoring on Kawika Mitchell’s 39-yard return of a fumble as the Titans botched a lateral play with eight seconds remaining.

The Titans lacked nine starters, including McNair, last year’s co-most valuable player, when the game began and lost three more (Chris Brown, Fred Miller and Justin Hartwig) during it.

Still, they led much of the night and came back to tie it, 35-35, on a four-yard touchdown reception by Derrick Mason moments before Green’s exchange with fullback Richardson fell to the ground.

Johnson had touchdown runs of 46 yards in the third quarter, then 41 yards for a 35-28 lead with 4:49 to go.

He rushed for 104 yards in seven carries in place of the injured Priest Holmes.