Chefs are Toast

Not officially.  I mean the Chefs win their division if they win their last 3 games.  It is in their control, that is certain.  They could win all three, but a chance and actually winning all three is 2 completely different things.  With Oakland's loss last Sunday, the Chefs could have won the division with a win over San Diego. 

One small problem.  They aren't as good as San Diego.  The result was a 35-0 loss that wasn't really as close as the score would indicate.  Oh sure, the Chefs didn't have their starting quarterback.  Nobody is going to miss Brodie Croyle when Cassell returns.  It was good that any quarterback controversy was nipped in the bud last Sunday.  It was unfortunate that Cassell had appendicitis.  Unfortunate things happen and good teams adjust and continue to win.  Cassell might have turned Sundays 35-0 loss into a 35-10 loss.  He wasn't the difference between a win and a loss.  The Chiefs can't complete with San Diego on a dry field with nice weather. 

All that remain is 3 winnable games against St Louis, Tennessee and Oakland.  They could go 3-0 and win the division.  Or they could go 1-2 which is far more likely.  San Diego has 3 easier games left on their schedule.  They will finish 10-6.  And, they are a pretty good team that is peaking at the best possible time.  If San Diego goes 3-0 and the Chefs lose 1 or more, San Diego wins the division. 

The Chefs could end the season with a respectable 10-6 record, but not go to the playoffs.  That is probably appropriate.  Remember, my contention all year was the NFL gave KC a weak schedule to ensure that pro football remains successful in Kansas City.  It is working well.  The city is again behind their team.  I am not sure they are much better on the field than last year.  I am certain that if this year's team played last year's schedule, they would not be 8-5 and leading the division.  They would probably be on track for a 4-5 win season.

It is better this team sits out the 2010 playoffs.  Regardless of who they would face, they would be pounded.  The result would be embarrassing for a division winner.  It could harm the young player's psyche and damage them for their careers.  It would be better to mature for 1 more year before moving on to the next level.