KC's Holmes moves within a TD of record

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- For the second straight year, Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes is positioned in the final stretch to own one of the great seasons in league history. A year ago he injured his hip in the 14th game when he was within sight of the NFL touchdown record.

Now he's back and again taking aim. Holmes tied Emmitt Smith's NFL record for rushing touchdowns in a season Saturday, scoring his 25th against Minnesota.

The Vikings emerged with a 45-20 victory.

Holmes scored from 2, 4, and 1 yards, and tied the mark with his third touchdown early in the fourth quarter, rallying Kansas City within 31-20.

Holmes is one rushing touchdown away from Marshall Faulk's record of 26 total touchdowns.

For the first time in three years he probably won't lead the NFL in total yards from scrimmage. Still, the season is unfolding exactly as Holmes envisioned during the spring while getting ready for what some feared could be career-ending hip surgery.

"Somebody asked me what I wanted to do in the coming year," he said. "I said to score points. That would allow for the team to be successful because I've been in games where I've had 100-yard games, 200-yard games and that doesn't always equal a win."

And Holmes seems finally to have fully regained his pre-surgery form. Two weeks ago, coach Dick Vermeil and others thought he began running with more quickness and authority than he'd shown all year.

Vermeil thought Holmes' three-touchdown, 94-yard game against Detroit last Sunday was his best outing since he hurt his hip at Oakland last December.

"He had his best week of practice and it showed in his performance," Vermeil said. "I think he's on the rise from here throughout the remaining games we have the opportunity to play."