Haley has cost us too many points this season by going for it on every 4th and 1 or 2 inside the 50. I can't stand his 4th down decisions.
If you went through all of KC's fourth-down calls and added up the overall plus or minus points, you'd find that Haley actually hasn't cost the Chiefs any points on the scoreboard. You are only remembering the fourth-down calls that don't work even though there are plenty that have worked.
The ones that do work—like the 4th-and-1 call against Cleveland near midfield that allowed the Chiefs to escape with a walk-off win, or the TWO fourth-downs the Chiefs converted on the opening drive against Houston that led to a opening drive TD, or the 4th-and-1 from the Jaguars 2-yard line that allowed the Chiefs to score a TD rather than settle for a field goal, or the fake punt on fourth against San Francisco that extended a drive and caused Singletary's head to explode, or the 4th-and-1 the Chiefs converted against Buffalo that allowed Succop to kick a chip shot field goal rather than a 48-yard field goal into swirling wind, and so on—never get mentioned.
The Chiefs have run the ball more on 3rd-and-4 than any team in the league. Defenses are forced to play on their heels and to expect the run or the pass on any 3rd down situation, knowing full well that the Chiefs are willing to line up and go for it on fourth if they fall just short. This certainly opens things up for Cassel in the passing game on 3rd and manageable situations. It also makes the Chiefs unpredictable and difficult to prepare for. Teams can't just rush the passer and expect a pass in "passing situations." They need to respect the running game.
'Unconventional' has allowed the Chiefs to play loose and aggressive all season, and has helped them get to 8-4 and a two-game lead in the AFC West.
