KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Drawing dirty looks in the San Diego locker room was easy after Larry Johnson and the Kansas City Chiefs snuffed out the Chargers' playoff hopes with a 20-7 victory yesterday.

Just asking the mistake-prone visitors if they were flat in the wake of their huge victory at Indianapolis did the trick.

"We weren't," coach Marty Schottenheimer said in a level voice. "We were outplayed."

Indeed. The Chiefs ran their December home winning streak to 18 and kept their faint playoff hopes alive with a dominating victory a week after they lost at the New York Giants in one of their poorest games of the year.

Johnson kept up his amazing run with his eighth straight 100-yard rushing game, constantly digging his heels into the wet, slippery turf for extra yardage, dragging tacklers with him.

The third-year pro had 131 tough yards and two touchdowns against a defense that came in as No. 1 in the league against the run and had not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 16 straight games.

He scored on a 4-yard dash and an eye-popping, tackle-busting 28-yard catch-and-run down the sideline. Since he became the starter Nov. 1 after Priest Holmes went on injured reserve, Johnson has a league-leading 1,150 yards on the ground.

But he seemed most pleased with improved skills in an area that's drawn criticism of late.

"I was definitely on a mission today as far as pass-blocking," he said. "I think I did pretty well as far as blocking."

While eliminating the Chargers (9-6), the Chiefs (9-6) clinched the AFC West title for Denver.

JAGUARS 38, TEXANS 20

HOUSTON — Jacksonville (11-4) clinched its first playoff berth since 1999 by scoring three fourth-quarter touchdowns against Houston (2-13).

"We knew it wasn't going to be easy," said Jags receiver Jimmy Smith. "But we have matured enough to be poised and do whatever we have to do to come away with a win."

Fred Taylor's 15-yard touchdown with just more than nine minutes remaining gave Jacksonville a 24-20 lead. The Jags then added two more TDs — on a 36-yard reception by Ernest Wilford and a 17-yard run by LaBrandon Toefield — to clinch their first postseason berth under coach Jack Del Rio.

"It was a big undertaking when we got here," said Del Rio, who is in his third season. "Obviously they don't give a young coach a team chuck full of talent, ready for the Super Bowl. We had a lot of work to do when we got here and its starting to pay off."

STEELERS 41, BROWNS 0

CLEVELAND — Ben Roethlisberger threw a touchdown pass, Willie Parker had an 80-yard TD run and Pittsburgh (10-5) sacked rookie quarterback Charlie Frye eight times to rout Cleveland (5-10).

"We made a statement," said linebacker James Harrison, who blocked a punt and body slammed an unruly Browns fan who ventured onto the field. "We won, that was the statement we wanted. Margin of victory, stuff like that, is nice. But winning and going to the playoffs is our goal."

The Steelers outgained the Browns 457-178, with Parker rushing for 130 yards on 17 carries.

"Everything clicked real good for us on offense," Roethlisberger said, "and our defense was flying around. They're fun to watch when they're playing like that."

BILLS 37, BENGALS 27

CINCINNATI — Terrence McGee scored on a 99-yard kickoff return and a 46-yard interception return, rallying Buffalo (5-10) past Cincinnati (11-4).

"Nobody gave us a chance to beat these guys," said Bills quarterback Kelly Holcomb, who was 24 of 31 for 308 yards. "We hadn't won on the road. It definitely leaves a good taste in your mouth."

McGee, who set a club record with three kickoff touchdowns last season, had five returns for 220 yards yesterday.

"I can't even explain how I feel," said McGee, who failed to score on an 82-yard return earlier in the season. "All year, the only thing we've been missing is a touchdown (on a return)."

DOLPHINS 24, TITANS 10

MIAMI — In his best performance since returning from a one-year retirement, Ricky Williams gained 172 yards on 26 carries and helped Miami (8-7) cap a perfect December by beating Tennessee (4-11).

"As the game goes on, I usually get stronger and more comfortable and have a better feel for what to do," Williams said. "Life is about opportunities. Unfortunately Ronnie (Brown) was down, so this week I made the most of the opportunity."

The Dolphins went 4-0 in December under first-year coach Nick Saban, finishing the month unbeaten for the first time in 20 years.

"To watch this team grow and be part of it has been special," Williams said. "We've made strides, and we can be confident that we can go into next season strong."

AFC