Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 12/12

Well, that was bad. Chiefs fell to the Jets yesterday and a lot of people have something to say about it. Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Enjoy?

The end of Todd Haley's time as head coach of the Chiefs is probably coming after the season, and by this morning, it can be justified with football. Forget the fundamental personality conflict between coach and general manager, or the toxic mix of ego and insecurity between the two.

Pioli firing Haley looks more and more likely as the season goes on, and when it happens, we'll remember days like a 37-10 loss to the Jets here on Sunday as the reasoned defense.

Todd Haley's Days With The Chiefs Should Be Over from KC Star

New York took early control of a game both teams felt it had to have and never let go.

From Shonn Greene's 31-yard run that opened the game to Sione Pouha throwing Jackie Battle for a safety inside the final four minutes of play, the Jets handled Kansas City for all four quarters in a 37-10 victory at MetLife Stadium.

The Morning After: New York from The Mothership

KC Star Photo Gallery: Jets 37, Chiefs 10

NFL.com Video: Chiefs vs. Jets Highlights

NFL.com Video: Chiefs Postgame Press Conference

CBS Sports Video: Chiefs Perform Worst Onsides Kick Ever

The problem with the Chiefs, at least since Palko took over for the injured Matt Cassel, is that when the defense has a bad day - which isn't unusual, even for terrific defenses - the offense has little chance of salvaging a victory. The defense has, at times, helped to overshadow just how weak the Chiefs are with Palko as their starting quarterback.

Some offensive players have even begun to feel guilt that they're not holding up their end of the deal.

Offense Struggles Again With Palko Under Center from KC Star

Of the 92 players suited up for Sunday's game between the Chiefs and Jets, Kansas City backup QB Ricky Stanzi was the only one who didn't see the field.

With the Chiefs offense sputtering and starting QB Tyler Palko struggling, discussions began whether to give Stanzi his first NFL action. Ultimately, the decision was to continue on with Palko.

Todd Haley Discusses Quarterback Play, Penalties And Other Notes From Sunday from The Mothership

Even as their AFC West rivals began to pull away in recent weeks, the Chiefs told anyone who would listen they were still part of the NFL's playoff picture. But in the gloom of yet another dreadful afternoon Sunday at the Meadowlands, they no longer had the heart to maintain that pretense.

In that sense, their dreams died with their latest lopsided loss, this one by a 37-10 score against the Jets.

Chiefs Concede That Playoffs Are Out But Want Strong Finish from KC Star

In the most brutal stretch, the Chiefs were penalized five times for 81 yards during the Jets' final touchdown drive. One of those was an unsportsmanlike conduct call on Haley. Kansas City finished with 11 penalties.

"That generally gets you beat," said Haley, who would not elaborate on what he said to the officials. "The one thing we can't do is lose our composure on calls."

Kansas City Chiefs Fall Way Behind New York Jets In First Half, Lose 37-10 from The Associated Press via Te Washington Post

Now 33 and in the second and final year of his contract with the Chiefs, Jones has slowed considerably and has 337 yards in 13 games.

Still, Jones said he relished returning to the area where he had some of the most productive seasons of his career.

"I had mixed emotions, obviously," said Jones, who rushed for 12 yards in five carries Sunday. "Jets fans showed me a lot of love, which I appreciated."

Chiefs Buzz: Bittersweet For Jones from KC Star

The Jets enjoyed a splendid Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium, where the hapless and penalty-prone Kansas City Chiefs provided about as much resistance as a soggy paper towel. Mark Sanchez scrambled for touchdowns. Bart Scott celebrated sacks. The boo-birds hibernated.

The Jets' 37-10 victory was a big, rollicking party, with one glaring exception: the departure of Jim Leonhard, perhaps for the season.

Jets' Jim Leonhard's Injury Spoils Party from The Wall Street Journal

If this season is indeed lost, Haley has to decide whether to chase victories or audition more inexperienced players to gauge their value. Of the team's nine draft picks this year, only wide receiver Jon Baldwin and linebacker Justin Houston have played significant time. Fifth-round linebacker Gabe Miller is on injured reserve, and seventh-round fullback Shane Bannon is on the Chiefs' practice squad.

So Haley has a decision to make. For now, he said the Chiefs' objective continues to be winning each game and playing whoever gives the team its best chance.

Chiefs Seek Their Motivation from KC Star

Memo to tailbacks Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson: It's your time.

New York's ground game was dominant Sunday in a 37-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, with Greene and Tomlinson combining for 251 total yards and two touchdowns.

The Jets won their third straight game, improved to 8-5, and currently hold the sixth seed in the AFC.

Jets' Playoff Hopes Rest With Running Game from ESPN

Should Ricky Stanzi play?

A rookie quarterback out of Iowa, Stanzi has remained on the sideline this year, as the Chiefs hoped to bring him along very slowly - and likely wait to play him next year. Palko's struggles have forced the team's hand, though, and unless veteran Kyle Orton is healthy next weekend, Stanzi might represent the Chiefs' most realistic hope. At this point, the team seems to have little to lose by seeing what he can do.

Chiefs Blitz: The Good, Bad And Ugly From The Jets Game from KC Star

It's time to start thinking about what the team needs to do in the draft and in the off season. IMO, it's pretty clear. They must draft a QB with the first pick and then spend the rest of their picks and all $30M of loose change on linemen - offensive and defensive. If they do that, KC has a decent shot at having another 2010-type year, but maybe this time a legitimate power - not just the beneficiary of no injuries and an easy schedule.

Chiefs: Pretend It Is August 2012 from Upon Further Review

4 That's how many yards Dexter McCluster (stopped at left by Calvin Pace) and the Chiefs managed to gain in the entire first half, when Tyler Palko had minus-15 gross passing yards and a 6.2 quarterback rating. The Jets netted 253 and led 28-3 at the break.

Chiefs Countdown To A Loss from KC Star

Four first-half yards. Ten second-half penalties for 126 yards.

In a game the Chiefs had to win, they did everything possible to lose -- and the statistics prove it. The final score -- Jets 37, Chiefs 10 -- was indicative of just how abysmal of a performance it was.

Chiefs' Dud Puts Damper On Jones' Return from ESPN

On Sunday, they did not defeat the Kansas City Chiefs so much as embarrass them. By the start of the fourth quarter, many fans had departed MetLife Stadium, presumably bored from watching the Jets score again and again in a 37-10 victory that drastically improved their playoff positioning.

Against a reeling Kansas City team masquerading as an A.F.C. West contender, the Jets imposed their will, accepting Coach Rex Ryan's challenge from the night before.

Jets' Offense Finds Daylight As Path To Playoffs Opens from The New York Times

Mark Sanchez jogged onto the field for the first play of the game and immediately had to call an embarrassing timeout.

It was just about the only thing that stopped the New York Jets all afternoon.

Sanchez became the first Jets quarterback to throw two touchdown passes and run for two more scores as New York got off to a fast start and improved its positioning in the AFC playoff race by cruising to a 37-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

Jets Dominate Chiefs, Cruise To Third Straight Win from The New York Post