Hard Times Continue for Chiefs

SEATTLE — The Marty Schottenheimer era in Kansas City is going sour.

The Chief coach benched struggling quarterback Elvis Grbac late in the first half, but it didn’t do any good as the Seattle Seahawks, relying mainly on their defense, beat Kansas City, 24-12, Sunday.

“When I came off the field, he [Schottenheimer] said he’s making a change, and I figure that the change is probably for the rest of the season,” Grbac said.

The Seahawks (5-4), losers of four of their last five, won despite a sputtering offense that had only 202 yards.

It was Kansas City’s fourth consecutive defeat, the first time that has happened to the Chiefs (4-5) since Schottenheimer took over as coach in 1989.

Seattle ended a losing streak at seven games against Kansas City, which had also won 14 of the previous 15 games.

The Chiefs were penalized 17 times for 152 yards, two yards short of a team record.

“Right now, we’re not a very good team,” Schottenheimer said.

The Seahawks held a 24-6 lead at the halftime--thanks to their defense, which prompted Schottenheimer to replace Grbac, the starter in each of those four consecutive losses, with 1:49 left in the first half.

Grbac was removed after throwing a pass that Darrin Smith intercepted and ran back 26 yards for a touchdown.

Rich Gannon, Grbac’s replacement, couldn’t get anything going until a drive to a meaningless touchdown with three seconds remaining.

Ricky Watters scored two touchdowns on one-yard runs in the first quarter, the second one after Shawn Springs intercepted a pass by Grbac.