Jamaal Charles fumbled twice in Kansas City's 37-20 loss to San Diego on Sunday. (US Presswire) |
Sunday's 37-20 loss to San Diego made last week's franchise-record 18-point comeback win in New Orleans feel a lot more fluky.
The Chiefs are 1-3, and all three of those losses have come by double-digit points. They rank dead-last in the NFL in give-away/take-away at minus-13 -- next-to-last are the Panthers and Titans at minuus-6. Are the Chiefs this bad? Is it the turnovers? Will there be a regression to the mean?
The Chiefs have been out-scored 41-6 in the first quarter. That should tell you enough right there. Last year when things looked most bleak, Kansas City would come out of nowhere and play decent football, finishing one win away from a playoff berth.
If things don't change quickly, this is looking like a lost season.
Offense: F
Six turnovers. If you want to sunshine pump, you can say the Chiefs out-gained the Chargers 353-293, and Jamaal Charles had another productive day -- minus the two fumbles -- running for 92 yards. But six turnovers. The Chiefs rank fourth in total offense, but a lot of those yards have come in garbage time, and they have been unable to produce in the first quarter. Sunday was yet another example that the Chiefs need to start looking toward the future at quarterback. Matt Cassel threw three interceptions -- to be fair, at least one wasn't his fault -- and he completed only 24 of 42 passes. He's just not consistent enough to get the job done. It was also a bad day for the offensive line, who allowed two sacks and six hits on Cassel.
Last week's grade: B
Defense: C-
For the fourth straight game, the Chiefs' opponent scored first and it was the third time in four games the Chiefs have given up a touchdown on the opening drive. Past that, a lot of blame should go to the offense for the 37 points. Cassel threw a pick-6 and four of San Diego's possessions started in Kansas City territory. The Chiefs' D did get better throughout the game, holding San Diego to 10 points in the second half. That has been the story of the season, which raises three questions. Is Romeo Crennel not game-planning well? Is Crennel making good in-game adjustments? Or, does the opposition get conservative when they get a big lead? Probably a combination of all three.
Last week's grade: A
Special teams: C
P Dustin Colquitt averaged a net of 51.3 yards per punt, and Javier Arenas averaged 13 yards per punt return. That was the good. The bad was a botched snap on the extra point of Kansas City's first touchdown.
Last week's grade: A+
Coaching: F
Crennel was asked after the game if it has gotten to the point where he needs to make some kind of inspirational speech, as he did last season in Indianapolis. He said no. But the Kansas City coaches need to do something different to help turn this around. The team has not been prepared at the start of games, and some of that has to fall on the coaching staff.
Last week's grade: A-
Follow Chiefs reporter C.J. Moore on Twitter @CBSChiefs and @cjmoore4.