ChiefsPlanet - Chiefs Babb:A look at the good, the bad and the ugly from the Ravens game

Chiefs Blitz | A look at the good, the bad and the ugly from the Ravens game

DO TELL THE TRUTH

How did this turn so quickly?

The Chiefs were in the game at halftime but then a mistake-filled third quarter doomed them to another playoff loss. The Chiefs made the kinds of errors — penalties and turnovers, in particular — that this team is simply not talented enough to overcome against a good team such as Baltimore. The Chiefs needed to play their best game of the season against their best opponent of the season. Instead, they turned in a forgettable performance.

Who was most responsible?

As easy as it will be to blame this loss on outgoing offensive coordinator Charlie Weis or the officials’ questionable calls, this one falls on the Chiefs’ lack of focus in the second half. Quarterback Matt Cassel had one of his worst games of the season, and regardless of the reasons, he’ll enter another offseason with more doubts about his abilities. But here’s the thing: Sunday wasn’t the sign of a trend; it was a bad game for a quarterback in his first postseason start. Cassel proved this season that he’s very capable of at least getting his team to the playoffs.

How will this affect Cassel’s offseason?

He did far more good than bad this season, but Sunday’s performance wasn’t the way he wanted to enter the offseason. Barring something unexpected, Cassel will be the starting quarterback next fall, and other than perhaps finding a new backup for Cassel, it’s unlikely the Chiefs will be shopping for a QB. If anything, the team will be looking to improve its offensive line. After all, Cassel wasn’t the only player who had one of his worst games of the season Sunday.

Where else might the Chiefs be looking to upgrade?

Dwayne Bowe’s disappearing act — he wasn’t even thrown to — underscored how badly his team needs a second wide receiver. Cassel indicated that the Ravens double-teamed Bowe. The Chiefs badly need to improve at receiver, right tackle and nose tackle. They also badly need a pass rusher to complement Tamba Hali. The team also might be looking to get better at inside linebacker and center.

This just in: Charles is good

Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles re-introduced himself to a national audience on Sunday with his 41-yard touchdown run and an ability Kansas City has known about all year: That he can change the course of a game with one big run. Charles doesn’t appear to wilt in the spotlight, either; he had a long touchdown run during the season-opening Monday night game against San Diego. He did fumble in the second quarter, but he clearly remains the Chiefs’ best weapon on offense.

So, how should this season be remembered?

Sunday was disappointing, especially considering how quickly it turned sour, but the 2010 season should be remembered as a turning point for a franchise that hadn’t had much success in a long time. Few outsiders thought the Chiefs were capable of winning double-digit games in the regular season or winning the AFC West. But that’s what happened, and after the Chiefs reached the playoffs, they were playing with house money. This season was a huge success for an organization in flux, and in time, that’ll be the lasting memory.

THE LAST WORD

“You never know when you’re going to get this chance again. I don’t think we took advantage of our opportunity today.”

| Chiefs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson