(My Sportsbook) - The Kansas City Chiefs were upset by their former NFC West rivals, the Seattle Seahawks, 39-32 in Week 12. RB Priest Holmes had two rushing touchdowns and one scoring reception to go along with 307 total yards, but it wasn't enough to keep Kansas City from suffering its fourth loss in six games.

"Needless to say, to not beat a football team that we certainly had enough ability to beat and not get it done is just like putting a knife in your back," Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil said. "That's the way the National Football League is. Nobody forfeits or gives wins to you. You've got to go earn them."

Holmes has to be considered one of the frontrunners for the NFL's Most Valuable Player award. He currently leads the NFL in rushing (1,209 yards), rushing touchdowns (17) and total touchdowns (20). He also leads the Chiefs in receiving (63 catches for 578 yards and three scores).

"I hurt for Priest Holmes," noted Vermeil. "Priest Holmes doesn't get the respect -- except from the coaches that coach against him -- that he deserves."

Vermeil has also endorsed Holmes for the MVP award.

"Right now I don't know how you could go any other way," Vermeil said. "Now, I haven't studied what everybody else is doing, so I shouldn't say that. But my gosh, he's leading the league in total offense. But other people are helping him. It's a united effort and he takes advantage of it because he's gifted and he works hard, very hard."

Holmes has been the Chiefs' offensive catalyst. The team averages 29.2 points per game (third in NFL) and rushes for 154.5 yards per game (second in NFL). But QB Trent Green has also done a good job throwing the football. Green leads a passing attack that ranks 12th in the league, averaging 225.8 yards per game through the air. Last week, Green completed 26-of-34 attempts for 343 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

"Trent had an outstanding game for the most part," Vermeil said. "He threw the ball under pressure. Our pass protection wasn't as good as the end results. He was under pressure and threw some great balls. Johnnie Morton came up with the good catches and so did some others. We had two dropped and he still came out with a very efficient day.

"But, we only converted one of five third down situations, one of which was dropped, and three of those we didn't convert they drove and missed a field goal and then scored 14 points."

CARDINALS ENTER ARROWHEAD

This week's opponent, the Arizona Cardinals, have lost five games in a row and the Chiefs wouldn't mind extending that skid to six. The Cardinals' defense, which allows an average of 131.7 rushing yards per game, will have to stop Holmes, but that's easier said than done. Especially considering the Cardinals allowed Oakland's primary ball-carrier, Charlie Garner, to rush for 100 yards on 16 carries. He also caught five passes for 82 yards.

"We're not making enough plays," Arizona head coach Dave McGinnis said of his defense. "I know it sounds trite and it sounds repetitive, but what's happening for five weeks has been repetitive, too. I'm damn displeased with it.

"We've lost five football games in a row. The common key to all of them is we're not stopping anybody."

Another factor for the Cardinals' defensive woes has been their inability to get to the quarterback. They currently have just 15 sacks, second-worst in the NFL. This week, their pass rush problems should continue because the Chiefs have only surrendered 19 sacks on the season.

COMING UP: The Chiefs will host the Rams in the Show-me State battle next week.