First time Pro-Bowl running back Larry Johnson outshined the NFL?s brightest back LaDainian Tomlinson on Saturday as the Chiefs knocked the talented Chargers out of playoff contention with a 20-7 win. "I was definitely on a mission today as far as pass-blocking," Johnson said. "I think I did pretty well as far as blocking."

Priest Holmes? rehab is moving along nicely, the real issue is set to come up at the onset of next season after backup Larry Johnson put up record numbers running in Holmes? place. Holmes was the Chiefs? starting running back until he was involved in a helmet-to-helmet collision with San Diego?s Shawne Merriman on Oct. 30. After a battery of neurological tests, Holmes was diagnosed with pressure on his spine and was out for the year. Carl Peterson, the Chiefs? president/general manager, said Thursday that he hopes Priest Holmes will return in 2006, even after Larry Johnson?s record-breaking season, even after the grumblings that the two-back rotation can?t work in Kansas City. ?That is a magnificent problem,? Peterson said. ?Hindsight?s 20-20, but perhaps if we played Priest a little bit less and Larry a little bit more, we may have both of them right now at the end of the year. Larry Johnson has had an amazing year and despite only starting 7 games sits only 250 yards behind the NFL?s rushing leader Shaun Alexander. ?Has Larry proved beyond a shadow of doubt that he can carry the load? Absolutely,? Peterson said. ?Has Larry proved also that he needs to improve in some areas? Lord, (the) media have talked about it ad nauseam. I?d like to take some tapes of Priest and show ?em to them also that he?s missed some blitz pickups, too. It?s the most difficult thing to do for a running back.