I’ve given as much leash as I possibly can on Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel, but his off the mark throw on a three yard screen pass that resulted in a game ending interception convinced me that the Chiefs should tank this season and go for Stanford QB Andrew Luck.
With the Chiefs driving inside Charger territory with less than two minutes to go, down 20-17, Cassel missed Dexter McCluster on a screen pass that got picked off by a blitzing safety sealing the victory for the Chargers.
The fact the Chiefs were even in this game at all is a credit to the defense that battered Phillip Rivers. He threw for 266 yards, but also got picked off twice and took his shots.
The Chiefs offense ran 18 plays in the first half and gained a total of 34 yards. Their longest play from scrimmage was good for four. In the second half on their first possession, the Chiefs gained 38 yards and a great tip toe catch in the end zone by Dwayne Bowe got the Chiefs on the board and cut the lead to 10-7.
Down 20-10 in the fourth, Cassel led the Chiefs on a nine play, 80 yard drive with a touchdown pass to Leonard Pope from a yard out, cutting the lead to three for San Diego. Cassel then hit Pope on a 23 yard pass after the Chiefs stopped the Chargers on a 4th and 1 from their 34. It was at the SD 43 that Cassel threw the pick.
