Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 12/28

Good morning. We have your Kansas City Chiefs news ready for you. Today's news is mostly Orton-Tebow. Enjoy.

Through 15 games and the more hopeful points of a disappointing season, it was the defense that carried the Chiefs in 2011. Now, two defensive leaders will carry the Chiefs' name to the Pro Bowl.

Linebackers Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson were chosen as reserves on the AFC's Pro Bowl team, which will gather in Honolulu on Jan. 29.

Chiefs Linebackers Hali, Johnson Make Pro Bowl from KC Star

Kansas City hasn't seen a linebacker selected to the Pro Bowl since Derrick Thomas earned his ninth all-star invite following the 1997 season. Hali and Johnson also represent the first duo of Chiefs linebackers to gain Pro Bowl recognition since Pro Football Hall of Famers Bobby Bell and Willie Lanier paired together in the 1973 game.

The inclusion of Hali and Johnson on this year's AFC squad was a no-brainer for the fans, players and coaches who cast ballots for this year's all-star team. Both players have delivered standout seasons as leaders of Kansas City's defensive huddle.

Hali And Johnson Well-Deserving Of All-Star Honor from The Mothership

On Sunday, Kansas City will look to conclude the 2011 regular season with a win at Denver. Last week, the Chiefs lost a 16-13 overtime thriller vs. Oakland (12/24). The Raiders booted a 36-yard fi eld on the opening drive of the extra stanza for the winning margin as the Chiefs were never able to touch the ball. Meanwhile, Denver lost 40-14 at Buffalo (12/24), its second consecutive setback. The Broncos remain alive in the playoff hunt and need a win or a Oakland loss to advance to the postseason.

Chiefs vs Broncos - Game 16 from The Mothership

Questions remain about the futures of Stanzi and Powe, seen on draft weekend as potential difference-makers in the future. No undrafted players have played significant roles this season.

Still, Crennel appears to see potential. He praised Brown's special-teams play this week, indicating that he's a candidate to see an increased role sometime in the future. Still, it's unlikely it'll be in the immediate future.

Chiefs Unlikely To Let Young Players Loose In Finale from KC Star

It appears consistency and Bailey's big name -- this is Bailey's 11th Pro Bowl -- helped push Flowers out of contention. Through 15 games this season, Flowers has four interceptions and 56 tackles -- more than Bailey in both categories.

Did Brandon Flowers Deserve A Pro Bowl Nod? from The Red Zone

Too bad the Kansas City Chiefs lost last weekend. Had they won, we'd probably see the Chiefs-Broncos on Sunday night instead of Dallas-New York, and, yes, there's a compelling reason beyond Tim Tebow to tune in.

Would Kyle Orton please step forward?

Talk about a perfect end to an imperfect season.

Denver Castoff Orton Standing Between Broncos And Playoffs from CBS Sports

Lawrence Tynes remembers the crazy, final week of the 2006 season vividly.

That was the year his team, the Kansas City Chiefs, entered Week 17 with an 8-7 record, needing not only to win, but for four teams in front of them to lose, in order to make the playoffs. It's a spot much like the one the Jets are in.

On A Win And Some Prayers from The Wall Street Journal

Count still tied at 3, Kansas City reached second-and-10 on the Oakland 23 with 43 seconds remaining until intermission. The Chiefs committed three consecutive penalties, moving the marker back to third-and-31; the drive concluded with a long field goal attempt that was blocked. This botched sequence would come back to haunt Kansas City as Oakland won in overtime.

The 2011 TMQ All-Unwanted All-Pros from ESPN

4. Tamba Hali: The biggest bright spot in an otherwise disappointing Chiefs year. Hali finished last season as the AFC's sacks leader, signed a $60 million contract over the summer, and has since proved worth every penny. This was the year Hali went from a national curiosity to genuine star.Locally, it helps that he embodies everything Scott Pioli wants the Chiefs to be: hard-working, talented, humble, coachable, and dependable.

Booms And Busts In The Year In Sports from KC Star

5. Amateur hour/AFC West

Tim Tebow gave Merril Hoge and the rest of the critics ammunition with a grotesque, four-interception performance against the seemingly defunct Bills. And now they need to beat old friend Kyle Orton and the Chiefs to hold onto the division after the Broncos loss and the Raiders win against Kansas City. John Elway dumped Orton because he was interception-prone. I don't think Orton gets revenge. I think he shows his true colors. Tebow is a conundrum wrapped in a riddle. John Fox's defense is well-coached. I think Denver wins an ugly game.

Here Is Who Ryan Needs To Rip from FOX Sports