Kansas City, Mo ? Both San Diego and Kansas City set out over the winter to improve a dreadful defense.

It looks like the Chiefs got the job done.

“This is awesome,” defensive end Eric Hicks exclaimed.

Hounding Drew Brees all day, the defense was dominant through the first three quarters in a 27-14 victory Sunday over their rivals.

Priest Holmes, showing off his surgically repaired hip, had two touchdowns as the Chiefs posted a 24-0 halftime lead.

LaDainian Tomlinson, the Chargers’ standout running back, had a miserable day, getting only 34 yards on 13 carries. Wide receiver David Boston, San Diego’s biggest offseason acquisition, caught only two passes for 20 yards.

And the Chiefs’ Vonnie Holliday, the free-agent defensive end who was signed specifically to provide a much-needed outside pass rush, had three sacks in the first half.

“We have a talented defense,” Holliday said. “Our front four, those guys are big, strong and can run. Those linebackers, those guys are all over the place. There was no place for (Tomlinson) to go. We swarmed to the ball.”

All in all, it was a smashing debut for a defense that was rebuilt after finishing dead last in the NFL last year.