Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 12/6

Good morning! Welcome to Arrowheadlines where we have your Kansas City Chiefs news from across the internet. We have some good stories and stats on KC's defense and at least one NFL analyst thinks that squad may have what it takes to stop the Packers. Enjoy.

The Chiefs are suddenly getting superb play from their linebackers. That's nothing new for Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali, but rookie Justin Houston, who had three sacks, and Jovan Belcher, who had seven tackles, had perhaps their best games of the season.

Houston's play has steadily improved since the middle of the season.

Haley Says Chiefs Coming Around On Defense from KC Star

Brian Urlacher pulled Todd Haley aside after the Chiefs 10-3 victory in Chicago on Sunday afternoon. He'd just stood on the opposing sideline and witnessed, firsthand, what Derrick Johnson has been doing all season long...

...Johnson's play this season is head-turning because of its consistency. He's making all of the plays. Not just the game-changing plays, but everything in between as well.

"When Urlacher gets me after the game and says ‘that number 56 is something else' you know that's saying something," Haley said.

Derrick Johnson On Pace To Shred Chiefs Single-Season Tackle Record from The Mothership

NFL.com Video: Chiefs With Blueprint To Beat Packers?

Quarterback Kyle Orton made a brief appearance in the Chiefs' locker room during the period when it's open to the news media. The index finger of his passing hand, injured in Sunday's win over Chicago, was bandaged, but there was no cast.

Chiefs Buzz: No Cast On Orton's Finger from KC Star

Q: What about Tamba [Hali], will he be ready for this weekend?

HALEY: "Tamba is a warrior, a true warrior and I think sometimes you take it for granted the punishment he and others put on his body and you take it for granted because there he is on Wednesday again out there stretching and fighting through the agony and pain but then practice the whistle blows and there he is going full speed again and then no matter how beat up he is during the week when it blows on Sunday he is something else. I try not to take it for granted but it easy to fall into that trap. But Tamba's pretty beat up but I didn't see anything that alarmed me anymore then other weeks other then some blood dripping all over the place."

Q&A With Todd Haley 12/5 from The Mothership

The Chiefs' passing offense still needs to get better. Tyler Palko improved in his third start. With Kyle Orton dealing with a finger injury - he was injured after his first pass as a Chief, Palko may get further chances to improve. Kansas City has to score more points.

Kansas City Chiefs: Moving On from ESPN

Jets running back Joe McKnight, who leads the NFL in kick return average, has a hyperextended right elbow that could sideline him for the team's next game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jets' McKnight Uncertain vs. Chiefs With Hyperextended Elbow, Tomlinson's Knee Should Be Fine from The Washington Post

Members of the Chiefs Community Caring Team will once again visit a local KFC in advance of a special fundraiser benefitting First Downs for Down Syndrome (FDDS). The appearance will take place at the Raytown KFC (9924 E State Route 350, Raytown, MO 64133-6519) this Tuesday, Dec. 6 from Noon (12 p.m.) - 1 p.m. Together, representatives of the offensive line and cheerleaders will sign autographs, pose for photos and remind KFC patrons of a special promotion taking place one final Friday this season.

Chiefs And KFC Continue Support Of First Downs For Down Syndrome from The Mothership

Not that the Bears didn't do plenty to deserve to lose-to drop them to 7-5 and leave their playoff hopes reeling-but when a weak opponent throws up a prayer and it's answered, it means that God's not on your side. You'd almost rather be truly snakebit.

Without God On Your Side from The Chicago Reader

What a genius Todd Haley is. Once again, he went with Tyler Palko as his starter, only to watch the vagabond lefty go 4-of-5 for 27 yards and two sacks in the first quarter. (It looked worse than it sounds.) Finally realizing the error of his ways, Haley began the second quarter with Kyle Orton under center, only to see Orton bang his throwing hand on a defender's helmet, dislocating the forefinger. Re-enter Palko.

Instant Impressions: Week 13 from ESPN

"We took it like clockwork," said Horn, a receiver who played 12 years with the Kansas City Chiefs, the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons and who says he now experiences bouts of dizziness and blackouts. "They don't meet with you to tell you what will happen five years later. Had I known that there were going to be complications, I wouldn't have taken the shots."

N.F.L. Sued By Ex-Players Over Painkiller Toradol from The New York Times