Everyone at this point is searching for some kind of an answer. The Kansas City Chiefs have been outscored 89 to 10 at this point in the early going, a sign that the Chiefs have no idea where to begin to improve their team and that they're being outcoached and outplayed in every single aspect of the game. Thus after yesterday's 48-3 loss to the Detroit Lions, the question every member of the press seemed to ask had to do with fixing whatever is wrong. For Matt Cassel, that means protecting the football.
"Obviously it didn't go the way we wanted it to go," said Cassel after the game. "Our hats go off to Detroit. They played a great game. From our standpoint, the Kansas City Chiefs standpoint, I thought we played with great effort throughout the day. Again, offensively, I think it comes down to turnovers, which is an overall theme throughout the day for us. I've got to do a better job of taking care of the ball. We've got to do a better job of taking care of the ball and that will help us sustain drives and put us in a better position."
The end result from the Lions' game was six turnovers for the Chiefs, including Cassel's three interceptions and a fumble. It was a sloppy game for the Chiefs which also included an unfortunate season-ending injury to the team's best offensive player. Cassel says that's a part of the game, but recognizes it will limit a team already searching for answers.
"You know, we're going to have to figure out a way [to succeed]," said Cassel. "I don't know what Jamaal's status is right now, but I know he didn't return to the game. We'll see how that goes, but somebody else is going to have to step up. Unfortunately, that's the ugly part of the NFL that there are injuries and they do occur, so other people are going to have to step into those roles."
In the end, the Chiefs have some deep reflection to do and some drastic changes to make. The season could not have started any worse for the Chiefs and Cassel states quite plainly that there's work to do on all sides.
"I think that we have to reevaluate where we are and make adjustments and do whatever we need to do to start heading into the right direction, because obviously the last two weeks are not satisfactory to any of us."