[Chiefnj2]

Gretz sums up the offensive offense:

RUNNING GAME – The Chiefs ran for 105 yards, or 4.2 yards per carry. Cassel had 25 of those yards on scrambles away from pass rush pressure, so the running backs produced just 80 yards on 21 carries. Larry Johnson had 53 yards on 18 carries and now has 189 yards in four games. The Chiefs are averaging 101.5 yards per game.

There was something about that performance that Todd Haley liked.

“I think running the football has been an encouragement to me,” Haley said. “We set out today to try and run the football a little bit and I thought we did that some. I would say running the football is starting to show up as something we can do.”

PASSING GAME – This was ugly against the Giants. Cassel was 15 of 32 for 127 yards, with two TD passes and no interceptions. The longest pass play of the game for the Chiefs was a 43-yard pitch from Cassel to TE Sean Ryan. The longest catch by a wide receiver was an 18-yarder by WR Bobby Engram. On the season, the Chiefs are averaging 145 yards passing per game. As a team, they are averaging 5.8 yards per attempt.

PASS PROTECTION – The Giants defense came into the game with three sacks in three games. Everyone knew that type of production wouldn’t last long. Against the Chiefs, New York got five sacks in 37 passing plays or one every 7.4 passing plays. Cassel was hit many more times and at one point looked like he may have dinged that bad left knee of his.

How was the protection Matt?

“I think they’re doing a good job,” Cassel said. “They’re out there giving 110 percent each and every play.”

And here was the key line from Cassel: “We’re just going to continue to work at it until we get it right.”

In four games, Chiefs QBs have been sacked 13 times in 127 passing plays, that’s a sack every 10 times the Chiefs go back to pass.

CONVERTING THIRD DOWNS – Last week it was 0 for 11 against the Eagles. Sunday against the Giants they were two of 15. That’s two of 26 or just about as bad as you can get.

Here is the third down tale of woe:

* 3rd-and-8 at the KC 23 – Cassel was flushed from the pocket ran for six yards and fumbled the ball. Cassel recovered but the Chiefs were two yards short.
* 3rd-and-5 at NY 16 – Cassel’s throw to WR Bobby Engram bounced off the helmet of LB Michael Boley.
* 3rd-and-9 at KC 21 – TE Sean Ryan caught Cassel’s throw but gained just four yards.
* 3rd-and-10 at KC 30 – Cassel to RB Larry Johnson went for minus-one yard.
* 3rd-and-9 at KC 11 – WR Bobby Wade caught a pass but was tackled for a six-yard gain.
* 3rd-and-8 at KC 26 – Cassel to Engram for 18 yards and a FIRST DOWN.
* 3rd-and-13 at KC 41 – Cassel’s pass to WR Mark Bradley was good for nine yards.
* 3rd-and-18 at KC 16 – Bradley caught a pass for 10 yards.
* 3rd-and 7 at KC 45 – Cassel was sacked for a 10-yard loss by DE Osi Umenyiora.
* 3rd-and-11 at NY 30 – Incomplete pass to WR Dwayne Bowe.
* 3rd-and-11 at NY 10 – Incomplete pass to Engram.
* 3rd-and-7 at KC 44 – Cassel scrambles for 12 yards and a FIRST DOWN.
* 3rd-and-11 at NY 11 – Incomplete pass to Johnson.
* 3rd-and-2 at NY 2 – Incomplete pass to Wade.
* 3rd-and-27 at KC 15 – Incomplete pass to Wade.

On 11 of those 15 third downs, the distance to move the sticks was eight yards or more. Those kind of distances does not provide good chances to succeed.

On third down, Cassel was six of 12 for 46 yards.