Kansas City, Mo. ? Maybe Larry Johnson was right all along.

The former Penn State standout, who publicly has feuded with Kansas City coach Dick Vermeil over a lack of playing time, finally got a chance to make his point on the field.

Playing because of injuries to Priest Holmes and Derrick Blaylock, Johnson had 118 yards rushing and 56 yards receiving Sunday against Oakland. He scored two touchdowns and helped key a 34-27 victory with what was by far was his best day as a pro.

The victory snapped a four-game losing skid that began the day Holmes, the Chiefs’ Pro Bowl back, went out because of a knee injury.

“Our concern with Larry is not when he has the ball in his hand,” Vermeil said Monday. “It’s in pass protection. He’s becoming a lot more aware. He did a good job in pass protection.”

Taken in the first round in 2003, Johnson had seen almost no action all year and was obviously in his coach’s doghouse.

Vermeil even apologized after remarking that it was time for Johnson to “take the diapers off.” On another occasion, Johnson lashed out at Vermeil, saying that Vermeil never wanted to draft him in the first place.

Blaylock, who sprained his neck in the first half, probably will start Monday night at Tennessee. But the Titans can count on seeing plenty of the 6-foot-1, 230-pound Johnson.

“Larry did a good job,” Vermeil said. “He missed some holes he was running so hard, almost blindly a couple of times. As he learns to relax and be a little more patient in his reading, I think he’ll end up making some more good runs.

“We were pleased to see him get really excited. He looked like a different guy. I think that’s all coming with him growing up.”

Kansas City running back Larry Johnson leaps over an Oakland player as Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson, top, chases the play. Johnson broke out for 118 rushing yards, 56 receiving yards and two touchdowns, helping the Chiefs beat the Raiders, 34-27, Sunday in Oakland, Calif.

Johnson may figure big in the near future for the Chiefs no matter how well he and his coach get along. Holmes, who set an NFL record last season with 27 touchdowns, talked about retirement as recently as the past offseason.

And Blaylock, who only now is getting an opportunity to produce on a steady basis, will be eligible for free agency after this season. In a breakout game of his own, he ran for 186 yards against New Orleans and appears ready to assume a starting role for somebody.

Could the Chiefs afford to keep all three?

“We can do whatever we want to do unless somebody offers somebody so much money that you couldn’t be competitive,” Vermeil said. “I know Derrick Blaylock likes it enough to be here, and wants to be here. I know that and I think I feel free to say that.

“But someone might come in and all of a sudden pay him as a starting running back. I would say good luck and thank you for all you’ve done, you deserve the opportunity.”

Holmes, who led the AFC with 892 yards rushing and led all nonkickers with 90 points scored when he was injured Nov. 7, continues to rehab his injured right knee. Vermeil said Monday he did not believe he was out for the year, even though only three games will be left after this week.

“The doctors have never told me that. Priest is working out right now,” he said.