Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 12/31

Good morning! Did you know Orton and Tebow are playing each other this weekend? Read today's Kansas City Chiefs news and you will. Oh, and Succop got a contract extension. Enjoy, and be safe tonight!

Wasted chances in the scoring zone have been a season-long problem for the Chiefs. They've found the end zone just 12 times in their 36 trips, and that 33.3 percentage is worst in the league.

It's the biggest reason the Chiefs are next to last in the NFL in scoring and why, at 6-9, they're playing for nothing but pride in Sunday's season finale against the Broncos in Denver.

Inability To Score In Red Zone Still Flummoxes Chiefs from KC Star

If the Chiefs score fewer than 21 points on Sunday, they'll establish a new team record for the fewest points per game in a season. The previous franchise low of 14.1 points per game occurred in 2007.

"Injuries were not the sole reason," Muir said, attempting to dissect Kansas City's decreased offensive production. "Obviously you can't lose talent (like Matt Cassel, Jamaal Charles and Tony Moeaki) without it being a factor, but I think that we had enough people to step up.

"Quite frankly, as coaches and players we didn't step up strongly enough or consistently enough."

Arrowhead Report: Chiefs Wrap-Up Frustrating Offensive Season from The Mothership

The numbers weren't astounding for Chiefs running back Thomas Jones, but offensive coordinator Bill Muir said Friday that he saw improvement from Jones as the season drew to a close. This seemed to contradict the notion that Jones, 33, is out of steam, both this season and perhaps in his career.

Jones averaged nearly 4 yards per carry the past two weeks, nearly a full yard more than his season average of 3.2.

Jones Is Finishing Strong from KC Star

Q: How have you seen Brandon Carr get better this year? It seems like he's had a pretty promising year. Where have you seen him improve over the course of this season?

CRENNEL: "I think the biggest improvement has been that teams have seemed to test him a little bit this year, and he's been able to stand up to the test and make plays. I think that's the biggest improvement. I think he's gained confidence in his game and his ability and what he feels like he can do week-in and week-out, and that's a positive."

Q&A With Romeo Crennel 12/30 from The Mothership

Kicker Ryan Succop signed a five-year contract extension with the Chiefs that could pay him as much as $14.1 million.

Until last week's game against the Raiders, when he had two field-goal attempts blocked in an overtime loss, Succop was having the best season of his three-year NFL career.

Kicker Ryan Succop Signs Five-Year Extension With Chiefs from KC Star

They're all chirping the company lines.

Whether it's quarterback Tim Tebow, head coach John Fox or vice president John Elway on the Denver Broncos' side, or the man the team spurned a month ago -- new Kansas City Chiefs signal-caller Kyle Orton -- no one claims the November divorce makes the Week 17 matchup between the clubs any more meaningful.

But when push comes to shove at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Sunday, the truth may set them free.

Orton-Tebow Face-Off Highlights Critical Chiefs-Broncos Tilt from The Chicago Tribune

Players to watch -- Chiefs D-Line: The Broncos completed just two passes in a Week 10 win over the Chiefs. One of them was 56-yard TD bomb to Eric Decker, but the real work was done on the ground. Kansas City's front including Tamba Hali, Justin Houston and Glenn Dorsey were at times blown off the ball and often caught in space by Denver's brand-new read-option attack to the tune of 244 yards on 55 carries. The read option has since lost some of its luster. After seeing Buffalo blow up gaps in limiting the Broncos to 133 rushing yards, expect Kansas City to come out with an improved gameplan.

Three-And-Out: Orton Get's Chance To Spoil Denver's Season from USA Today

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Kyle Orton and some 20 other NFL players are suing a Chicago law firm for more than $10 million, claiming they received bad financial advice on investing in energy concerns.

The 14-page lawsuit filed this week in Cook County Circuit Court claims that the alleged negligence of Chuhak & Tecson cost Orton and the other players millions of dollars related to energy investments. The firm did not return several messages left Friday seeking comment.

Chiefs QB Orton Sues Former Chicago Lawyers from USA Today

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli continued his trend of locking up key players, this time it was reliable kicker Ryan Succop.

Succop, the final pick of the 2009 draft, signed a five-year extension worth $14 million,according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. He received a $2 million signing bonus and $2 million in guaranteed salary for 2012.

Pioli Keeps Another Key Chiefs from ESPN

Could be swan-song time: Several key players in the AFC West are set to be free agents and could be about to play their final game with their teams. Among those players are Kansas City receiver Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City cornerback Brandon Carr, San Diego receiver Vincent Jackson, San Diego center Nick Hardwick, San Diego running back Mike Tolbert and Oakland running back Michael Bush.

Final Word: AFC West from ESPN

6. Chiefs: Right tackle -- Looking across Kansas City's depth chart, there's not one position group that so obviously needs to be overhauled. The Chiefs have talent, even if some of those positions don't have much depth. But right tackle Barry Richardson has badly struggled this season. According Pro Football Focus, Richardson is the worst-rated offensive tackle in the league (the decision to cut Jared Gaither near the end of the season was a bad one). Left tackle Branden Albert is solid, but the right side of the line needs to be reworked.

Top Ten With A Twist: Draft Needs from CBS Sports

Nothing would make Orton happier than to knock Tebow and the Broncos out of the playoffs. Tebow replaced Orton after the Broncos got off to a 1-4 start, and now Orton will do his best to make Denver 1-5 in games he has started.

Can you imagine how the Broncos and Tebow will feel if that happens?

After going 7-1 in his first eight starts, Tebow has seen his team lose its last two games. He played well in a loss to New England in Week 15. However, Tebow regressed at Buffalo last Saturday.

Plenty At Stake In Tebow-Orton Bowl from ESPN