GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- The Dante Hall show heads to Lambeau Field on Sunday when the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs visit the Green Bay Packers in an interconference matchup.
The Chiefs are 5-0 for the first time in their 43-year history. They have a balanced offense and a much improved defense, but the biggest reason for the unblemished record is Hall, who has already tied an NFL record with four touchdowns on kick returns this season.
With first-place in the AFC West on the line last week, Hall scored on an electrifying 93-yard punt return with 8:20 left in the fourth quarter to lift the Chiefs to a 24-23 win over the Denver Broncos.
Two weeks ago, Hall returned a kickoff 97 yards for the winning touchdown in a 17-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
"He's like Michael Jordan, a human highlight reel," said Chiefs defensive end Eric Hicks of Hall.
The Chiefs have plenty of weapons on offense with Priest Holmes, Trent Green and Tony Gonzalez, but Hall has inflicted the most damage on opponents. Three weeks ago, he returned a punt 73 yards for a score in a win at Houston and on September 14, Hall took a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against Pittsburgh.
"What can I say? I'm truly blessed right now," said Hall, who made the Pro Bowl last season after returning three kicks for touchdowns. "It's a combination of my teammates and the downfield blocking and sticking with the play longer than the opponents. This is the most confident I've felt in the NFL. It's kind of bringing me back to my high school days when I was so confident and natural."
While the spotlight shines on Hall, Holmes and Packers star quarterback Brett Favre, the game will hold special significance for Chiefs defensive end Vonnie Holliday.
One of three key offseason defensive additions along with linebacker Shawn Barber and cornerback Dexter McCleon, Holliday spent the first five years of his career with the Packers, starting 63 games.
But after spending money to retain defensive tackle Cletidus Hunt and defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, the Packers could not fit Holliday under their salary cap and the Chiefs signed him to a five-year deal worth $21.3 million.
"Vonnie is so valuable because he can play both defensive end positions and defensive tackle if necessary," said Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil.
The 27-year-old Holliday defends the run effectively and compiled 32 sacks in his tenure with the Packers.
Kansas City has allowed just 16.2 points in five games this season, a drastic improvement from its average of 25 points per game in 2002.
The defense will face quite a challenge on Sunday against Favre and running back Ahman Green. The Packers scored touchdowns on five consecutive possessions in a 35-13 rout of previously unbeaten Seattle last week. Favre passed for 185 yards and two touchdowns and Green rushed for 118 yards and two scores.
The Chiefs have won four straight over Green Bay and lead the series, 5-2-1. The teams have not met here since 1990 - a 17-3 win for the Chiefs.
