The Kansas City Chiefs were already a bit banged up prior to their game against the Oakland Raiders, and they lost their starting quarterback one quarter into Sunday. Brady Quinn got the start for the Chiefs against the Oakland Raiders, but suffered a blow to the head in the first quarter and had to leave the game. He did not return.
Quinn and Matt Cassel have been in a low-key quarterback battle all season as the Chiefs have floundered, but if Quinn is out long-term with a concussion as feared, the battle may be over just as it was when the season started. That is, with Cassel as the consensus starting quarterback. If Cassel is still suffering from his old injury as well, Ricky Stanzi could also possibly get a look from Romeo Crennel.
Past Quinn's injury, the Chiefs seem to be getting healthier. Nobody was listed as out for the Raiders game, and most of the players that were listed as questionable were still practicing and got time during KC's 26-16 loss.
Kansas City opened the second half in dubious fashion, as quarterback Matt Cassel fumbled on the first play of the third quarter. The Chiefs defense held Oakland out of the end zone, but the turnover led to three points for the Raiders. KC's Ryan Succop hit a 52-yard field goal to cut the Oakland lead to seven, but Palmer and Heyward-Bey doubled the Raider advantage with 5:40 left in the quarter.
Cassel has completed 14 of 20 passes for 155 yards. He came on in relief for Brady Quinn, who was knocked out with a head injury near the end of the first quarter. Peyton Hillis leads the Chiefs in rushing with 23 yards on four carries, and Dwayne Bowe's two catches for 53 yards leads Kansas City receivers.
Palmer has completed 13 of 25 passes for 203 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, which came on the first play of the game. Darren McFadden has 41 rushing yards on 17 carries, and Denarius Moore has four catches for 90 yards and a touchdown.
The Kansas City and Oakland offenses were relatively quiet through two quarters Sunday, and the Raiders hold a 13-6 halftime lead over the Chiefs at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium.
Oakland took a 6-0 lead thanks to Sebastian Janikowski field goals of 36 and 35 yards. But the Chiefs rallied, as Ryan Succop connected from 30 and 42 yards to tie the game. The Raiders finally found the end zone with 49 seconds remaining in the half when Carson Palmer hooked up with Denarius Moore for a nine-yard touchdown.
Brady Quinn started at quarterback for the Chiefs, but he was knocked out of the game late in the first quarter with an apparent head injury. Quinn completed 2-of-4 passes for one yard and an interception, and he fumbled once. Matt Cassel came on in relief and completed 7-of-10 passes for 110 yards.
The Chiefs haven't had much of a ground game, evident in Quinn leading the team in rushing with 18 yards on two first-half carries. Dwayne Bowe caught two passes for 53 yards to lead Kansas City receivers in the first 30 minutes.
Palmer has completed 9-of-17 passes for 139 yards, one touchdown and one interception, which came on his first throw of the game. Darren McFadden has 17 rushing yards on 12 carries, and Moore has 83 yards and three receptions to go with his touchdown.
Chiefs defensive end Glenn Dorsey continues to deal with injury and will sit out another game. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi is also inactive for the Chiefs.
The Kansas City Chiefs announced that Matt Cassel will be benched for the time being, and the Chiefs quarterback discussed his frustrations and hopes given the news.
