The Kansas City Chiefs got the win Sunday but it wasn’t because of their QB. We will no doubt be debating Cassel’s worth throughout the week. The Chiefs QB looked absolutely horrid in the first half before settling down a bit in the second half.
Let’s take a look at the numbers so we break down just how effective Cassel was by quarter.
First Quarter:
M.Cassel pass short right to T.Moeaki ran ob at KC 9 for 2 yards.
M.Cassel pass short left to D.Bowe to KC 18 for 4 yards (S.Fujita).
M.Cassel pass short middle to T.Moeaki to KC 26 for 8 yards
M.Cassel pass incomplete short right to D.McCluster.
M.Cassel pass incomplete short right to D.McCluster.
M.Cassel pass incomplete short right to T.Moeaki.
M.Cassel pass incomplete short left to T.Moeaki.
M.Cassel pass short left to C.Chambers to KC 20 for 15 yards
M.Cassel pass short middle to T.Moeaki to KC 36 for 16 yards
M.Cassel pass incomplete short left to D.McCluster
5 of 10 for 45 yards
It was obvious the Chiefs were determined to come out throwing in an effort to get Cassel into a rhythm. The results were mixed. Cassel hit 5 of 10 for 45 yards in the first quarter.The numbers are ok but the offense was ineffective.
The second quarter is when things got really bad for Cassel.
2nd quarter:
M.Cassel pass short left to D.Bowe to KC 32 for 5 yards
M.Cassel pass deep left intended for C.Chambers INTERCEPTED by S.Brown at CLV 35.
M.Cassel pass short right to T.Jones ran ob at KC 20 for 5 yards
M.Cassel pass short right to T.Castille to KC 27 for 5 yards
M.Cassel pass incomplete deep right to T.Castille
M.Cassel pass short right intended for C.Chambers INTERCEPTED by A.Rubin
3 of 6 for 15 yards and 2 interceptions
The numbers speak for themselves. Just terrible. The second quarter was when the Chiefs nearly lost the game giving up 14 points to the Browns. Thankfully, neither of the turnovers had much of an impact other than keeping the Chiefs offense from scoring any points.
Cassel first half stats:
8 of 16 for 60 yards and 2 interceptions
Not nearly good enough, especially against a team like the Cleveland Browns.
In the second half Cassel settled down and made a few more throws down field. Let’s look at the numbers.
3rd Quarter:
M.Cassel pass short middle to T.Moeaki to CLV 47 for 20 yards
M.Cassel pass short left to T.Castille to CLV 44 for 3 yards
M.Cassel pass deep middle to D.Bowe to CLV 26 for 17 yards
M.Cassel pass short left to J.Charles pushed ob at KC 47 for 27 yards
4 of 4 for 67 yards
Cassel finally gets in the game in the 3rd quarter with passes of 20, 17 and 27 yards. However I should note the 27 yard pass was mostly gained by Jamaal Charles on a dump off by Cassel. Still, the Chief have playmakers and Cassel’s job is to get them the ball if they are open. He shouldn’t be penalized for run after the catch yards. Solid 3rd quarter by Cassel.
On to the 4th quarter.
M.Cassel pass deep middle to D.Bowe to KC 49 for 19 yards
M.Cassel pass short right to C.Chambers to CLV 47 for 3 yards
M.Cassel pass incomplete deep left to D.Bowe.
M.Cassel pass short middle to T.Moeaki to CLV 25 for 12 yards
M.Cassel pass short right to C.Chambers to CLV 8 for 15 yards
M.Cassel pass incomplete short right to T.Moeaki
M.Cassel pass incomplete short right to T.Moeaki.
M.Cassel pass incomplete short middle to T.Moeaki
4 of 8 for 49 yards
Nothing dazzling here but anything would look good after the 2nd quarter performance. Cassel has success when throwing down field to Bowe and Chambers but he seems to lock on to Moeaki here. His last 3 passes were incomplete attempts to the TE.
Second Half Stats:
8 of 12 for 116 yards
Obviously Cassel was much better in the second half. Had he matched that performance in the first half he would have finished 16 of 24 for 232 yards.
Instead his final numbers were 16 of 28 for 176, 2 interceptions and no touchdowns.
He averaged 6.3 yards per pass.
The bright spot was that he averaged 14.5 yards per pass in the second half.
If the Matt Cassel from the second half shows up for the whole game the Chiefs have a chance. If not, if they get the Cassel from the first half, the Chiefs will have no chance against the likes of the Colts and the Texans.
Even Cassel’s stronger second half performance failed to produce a touchdown drive. In fact, other than Jamaal Charles’ TD run last Monday night, the Chiefs offense has failed to produce a true touchdown drive.
I am not throwing in the towel on Cassel yet. I am also not trying to rain on the victory parade. You’ll always get it straight from us here at AA. If you want nothing but positive spin and a pro Chiefs PR stance, spend your time on KCChiefs.com.
Here we will not put on blinders to the bad things simply because we love the Chiefs.
Let’s have a debate. Tell us your argument, for or against Matt Cassel. Please be courteous in your responses to one another. Lay off the caps lock. We are all Chiefs fans. The goal is to be smarter, better informed Chief fans.
Have at it Addicts!