Chiefs Control Game, Ravens

Winless no more, the Kansas City Chiefs rendered the Baltimore Ravens defenseless with an almost unimaginable display of ball control and patience.

Priest Holmes ran for 125 yards and two touchdowns, and the Chiefs wore down the highly touted Baltimore defense in a 27-24 victory Monday night.

Trent Green completed 21 of 31 passes for 223 yards to help Kansas City (1-3) to its first win since Dec. 28. After going 13-3 a year ago, the Chiefs were off to their worst start since 1980.

Through three quarters, Kansas City had 22 first downs compared to four for the Ravens and a 361-126 advantage in yardage. A one-yard touchdown run by Holmes on the first play of the fourth quarter put the Chiefs ahead, 27-17, and that proved to be enough to end the Ravens’ seven-game home winning streak.

Holmes, who played for Baltimore from 1997 to 2000, became the first player to run for 100 yards against the Ravens in 10 games. He carried 33 times, 22 in the first half.

“This doesn’t get us into the playoffs, but it gets us going,” Chief Coach Dick Vermeil said.

Baltimore’s last loss at home was last year to the Chiefs by a 17-10 score. On Monday night, Kansas City had 17 points by halftime.

After Baltimore (2-2) closed to 27-24 on a one-yard touchdown run by Jamal Lewis with 9:14 to go, the Chiefs methodically moved downfield in seven plays before a punt left the Ravens at their own 14 with 5:50 left.

Baltimore went nowhere, but got the ball back on its own 27 with 2:33 left. The Ravens advanced to their own 40 before a fourth-down pass slipped off the fingers of wide receiver Kevin Johnson.

“It’s very disappointing to not play as physical as we’re capable of,” Raven Coach Brian Billick said. “They were more physical in every facet of it, which is something unique for us.”

Lewis, the NFL rushing leader a year ago, was held to 73 yards in 15 carries. Kyle Boller completed 10 of 17 passes for 154 yards. Rookie B.J. Sams returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown and Boller threw a 57-yard touchdown pass on a flea-flicker, but the Ravens never led after going ahead, 3-0.

Kansas City took a 20-17 lead on a 38-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes with 8:19 left in the third quarter. Green extended the 11-play drive by avoiding a sack on third and 10 and completing a 16-yard pass to Chris Horn. The Ravens then ran four plays before punting, and the Chiefs responded with a workmanlike 13-play drive that resulted in Holmes’ sixth touchdown of the season.