Kansas City Chiefs' Week Seven Loss Is on Matt Cassel's Shoulders

2+2=5? That is inaccurate.

Unfortunately, so is quarterback Matt Cassel.

It has been hard to criticize Cassel, who came into the season under scrutiny for being the beneficiary of a strong team and facing unrealistic expectations.  

He has played behind arguably the worst pass protection in the NFL. Prior to Week Seven, he had shown great improvisational ability when the pocket collapsed and thrown a fair number of touchdowns while keeping the interceptions down.

Week Seven showed a very different story. In fact, a weakness of Cassel’s game was put on spotlight. A problem overshadowed by other difficulties of the team has gathered glaring attention.

Cassel is not a very accurate thrower. 

While anyone looking at the box score of the Chief’s matchup with the San Diego Chargers can point to Cassel’s three interceptions and understand the lopsided score in the losing effort there are several other specific examples of lacking accuracy.

On one play running back Jamaal Charles motioned out of the backfield and acting as a wide receiver took off on a streak pattern. He outran the entire Charger defense for what should have been a significant gain, if not a touchdown, but Cassel threw the ball over the outside shoulder.

Charles had to turn his head blind to the ball to make try and make on a play on the ball that sailed out of bounds. One touchdown lost.

Another example is when wide receiver Bobby Wade came wide open on a wheel route. Coming behind the outside receiver from the slot, Wade found an open field in front of him. Cassel located the receiver but again pushed the bar too far outside. 

Wade made the catch but took himself out of bounds in doing so. An accurate pass would have hit Wade in stride, allowing him the opportunity to run wild down the right sideline. Two touchdowns lost. 

These examples perfectly illustrate the frustrations of head coach and offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who demands a great deal out of his quarterbacks. It’s clear Cassel is talented enough to make the correct reads with time, but he simply isn’t getting the ball there.

Crossing patterns have receivers stopping short to lunge at a ball thrown behind them. Overthrown seam routes mean tight ends and receivers not only have a difficult catch but leave themselves exposed to a monster hit. 

Unarguably, Cassel is the quarterback of this team and, given his monster contract, is likely the quarterback of the future. One can argue these misfires are the result of anticipating an oncoming hit from the pass rush as being knocked down is something Cassel has come to accept as normal. 

However, if, during the offseason, the offensive line is revamped, and Cassel is provided the help he needs to thrive, the young quarterback has to hold up his end of the bargain to keep his job.