Chargers vs. Chiefs: Can Kansas City Keep Todd Haley off the Hot Seat?

Four weeks ago the Kansas City Chiefs lost to the San Diego Chargers 20-17 and coach Todd Haley looked to be in a race with Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano to be the first head guy to lose his job this season. Fast forward a month and the Chiefs have won three-straight and enter a Monday night home game against the Chargers where a win would leave the team tied for first place in the AFC West. 

While the three wins haven't taken Haley off the hot seat—and thanks to his grating personality he might be fired even if the team turns this season around—the Chiefs have looked like a different teams the past few weeks. Quarterback Matt Cassel is on the same page with his receivers and running back Jackie Battle has stepped up to fill the void left when Jamaal Charles was lost for the season with a torn ACL. 

While Haley has stopped shaving since the Chiefs last loss, I sincerely doubt his facial hair has anything to do with the turnaround. A weak schedule has helped, as Kansas City has beaten the Minnesota Vikings (2-6), Indianapolis Colts (0-8) and an Oakland Raiders (4-3) team that threw six interceptions thanks to uncertainty at the quarterback position.

Still, the Chiefs have looked relaxed and focused over the past month, where they looked tight and worried in their first three games. 

The Chiefs still rank 30th league-wide in passing offense, averaging just 173.7 yards per game. Obviously Cassel and his targets need to work on improving that number, but the rushing attack is eighth in the league, averaging 129.3 yards per game. 

Meanwhile Battle and Dexter McCluster have combined to fill in admirably for Charles. Battle has 232 yards on 45 carries (5.2 yards per carry), while McCluster has 210 yards on 42 carries (5.0 yards per carry). 

Haley wants his team's signature to be toughness, which is why his mountain man look is so fitting. If the Chiefs can beat the Chargers tonight and keep their roll going, management will have to seriously think twice about making a coaching change. Considering the injuries Haley has had to deal with, it's a miracle Kansas City's playoff goals are even close to attainable.