I was really hoping after that Broncos game that I wouldn't have to write another post like that again this season. Every team lays an egg during the season and just has a poor game. Once out of every 16 can be forgiven, but when it happens twice and you come out looking poor, unprepared, and disinterested, that could be a problem. I have no problem losing when you are just outmanned and you lose to a more talented team, but I do have a problem with losing when you come out flat-footed, unprepared, and not ready to play football.
I don't know how much of this can be blamed on coaching and how much on the players, but it looks like it could go on both shoulders. The players didn't execute and the coaches didn't put them in the position to succeed. The Chiefs showed zero faith in Brodie Croyle and didn't even give him a chance until it was too late. Maybe I am an idiot but my pilosophy should be that you shouldn't have to change too much with your backup in the game. Did the 2008 Patriots do much different when Cassel was in there? A little, but they still sent Cassel out there and turned him loose the way they would Brady, even if it wouldn't get the same results. They needed to do the same to Brodie, but they were too scared and it cost them. Hindsight is 20/20 I know, but looking back, would it have made a difference in the game in you would have opened it up after being down 21-0? I don't think so.
This was just an awful embarrassment of a game, and if the Chiefs end up making the playoffs over the Chargers we will know it is a combination of two things, one is that the Chiefs took advantage of a weak schedule and two is that the Charges severely under achieved this year. IF, that is, the Chiefs can hold on to their one game lead and get into the playoffs.
As always, the good and bad from the game:
Good:
Matt Cassel - How can Cassel make this list when he didn't even play? Well, this game shows just how valuable Cassel has made himself to this team. Obviously from a continuity perspective Cassel is invaluable, but moreso than his skills it seems his leadership is what's most needed. People have been saying all season that Thomas Jones has stepped up and been the leader this year, but Cassel's absence has shown just how much he means to this team. Here's hoping we get him back next week.
Eric Berry - He continues to improve every game. Not only did he get 6 tackles but had a big time pass break up and got an interception. After a rocky first couple of weeks he has quietly put together a nice season for himself. I will wait for the season's end but you will be surprised how his stats measure up to some of the great safety's first years.
Bad:
Defense - They let the Chargers do absolutely anything they wanted. They couldn't get consistent pressure, they couldn't hang with their receivers and they left too many open holes over the middle. They have a banged up secondary and it has caused the Chiefs to be overly conservative. They play deep to keep everything in front of them and not give up the big play, which they don't, but ultimate, they still give up chunks of yards to a talented team like the Chargers. The Chiefs are just undermanned on defense, we need not forget the lack of depth our entire defense has. The Chiefs need a pass rusher and a nose tackle this offseason in that order and in a big way.
Dwayne Bowe - I know it was difficult circumstances with a backup QB and a good defense, but if Bowe is the player we thought he might be a couple of weeks ago he needs to have a better game than what he had now. He was disinterested and lacked the focus we saw earlier in the year.
Brandon Flowers - This has nothing to do with Brandon Flowers cause he is still legit. Problem is he is injured, looks no better than 60% and I know we are thin in the secondary but he should take a seat on the bench. He is not the same player and if we really are going to make the playoffs I would rather have him healthy for that.
Offensive Line - I know Brodie Croyle held on the ball too long at times, but they still didn't give him protection and provided absolutely no running lanes for the running backs. This line can do some good things, but when the come up against a big strong D-line like this one, it gives them problems. The Chiefs need some linemen this offseason that are bigger and can stand up to this kind of a line.
Coaching - The team was not ready to play and generally that goes on the coaching. From watching the game I can tell you for sure that it's not all on the coaching but fact is, they needed to have their team better prepared and they did not. That falls on coaching and has happened more than once this season and it shouldn't. Haley needs to hold himself and his coaches accountable just like he does his players.
Final Thoughts: I've already said it but this was embarrassing. Croyle played awful but he was in a tough spot. The hardest position to play in sports is even harder when you don't find out you're gonna play until Wednesday and go up against a top 5 defense. The Chiefs own defense played awful, looked disinterested and just was flat out dominated. The Chargers looked like the best team in the league and it was a struggle to watch. Never have I begged for a viewing of 'Heidi' more in my life. The Chiefs need to cut out these mental lapses and get their act together in these final three games if they want to make the playoffs.
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