Chiefs QB Matt Cassel, constrained by a dink-and-dunk passing game, managed a microscopic 2.8 yards per passing play, including six completions that went for negative yards. That included his own pass that was batted back into his hands for his first career reception — for minus-4 yards.
Clearly, Bill Muir’s first game as offensive coordinator was a colossal failure, though head coach Todd Haley fell on the proverbial sword and took the blame.
In the passing game, Cassel took mostly short, two- and three-step drops and threw short hitches and comebacks to Dwayne Bowe, Dexter McCluster and running back Jamaal Charles.
Some of that strategy may have been a concession to the Bills’ pass rush, which sacked Cassel twice. Or an admission that the Chiefs’ pass protection was spotty.