Kansas City, Mo. ? It’s strictly business, Dick Vermeil says, nothing personal.

He wants to win on Sunday for what it would do for his Kansas City Chiefs, not for what it would do to the St. Louis Rams.

“Playing the Rams is a critical game but it’s not a personal game,” said Vermeil, who coached the 1999 Rams to the Super Bowl title and then retired for a year before becoming head coach of the Chiefs.

That said, Vermeil still acknowledges a soft spot for his old team.

“I root for them to be successful every Sunday,” he said. “I check the scores as they flash across the screen during our games just to see how they’re doing. I can’t help from doing that because I have a lot of personal friends there.”

The Chiefs (6-6) are clinging to the slimmest of playoff hopes, figuring they’ll need to win their last five games to have a chance in the hotly competitive AFC West, where they’re in last place behind San Diego, Oakland and Denver.

The bruised and battered Rams (5-7) are in much the same shape as the Arizona Cardinals, whom the Chiefs clobbered 49-0 last week in Arrowhead.

Injuries to Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger will force them to start Jamie Martin at quarterback. And they said Tuesday tackle Orlando Pace will be sidelined at least two weeks because of a torn right hamstring, further weakening an already thin offensive line.

“They’ve had more injuries than is fair,” Vermeil said. “I have never been in a situation as a head coach that I’ve experienced the injuries that they have experienced and continue to experience. They get somebody back and they get him hurt again. They get Orlando Pace back and they get him hurt again. Last week, they played with two starters in the offensive line.”

Although retired, Vermeil was still contractually obligated to St. Louis when Carl Peterson, the Chiefs’ general manager and a longtime friend, convinced him to get back into coaching.

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue ordered the Chiefs to give the Rams a third-round draft choice for signing Vermeil – who then hired Al Saunders off Rams coach Mike Martz’s staff to be his offensive coordinator.

Some have wondered if there might be bitter feelings between the two clubs, but Vermeil said it’s nonsense to even speculate.

“There are 17 guys on the (Rams) roster that we brought there,” Vermeil said. “So, you just can’t throw away those relationships and those feelings that were developed together.”

Martz, whom Vermeil hired as his offensive coordinator, was elevated to head coach when Vermeil unexpectedly retired. He led the Rams to the Super Bowl last season, where they were stunned by the New England Patriots.

“I’ve stayed in touch and talk to him once a week,” Vermeil said.

“You know, not having been a head coach for a long period of time this has been a really tough situation for him,” Vermeil said. “I think he’s done a remarkable job having started the season with five losses and then come back and won five in a row. Boy, if that doesn’t test your leadership ability then you have never been exposed to anything that will.”

On the injury front, Vermeil said the Chiefs were in decent shape.

Cornerback William Bartee, who’s missed two games because of an ankle injury, might be healthy enough to start.

“Today, he’s feeling better,” Vermeil said. “If he’s healthy, he will play and be our starter.”

Also back is linebacker Lew Bush, who was suspended for four games when he tested positive for ephedrine, a banned substance. Vermeil said he would be active for the St. Louis game. Before he was suspended, he had lost his job to rookie Scott Fujita.