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Andrew Brandt looks at the complicated appeal case of Oakland rookie Terrelle Pryor. The NFL is expected to soon rule on whether to reduce his five-game suspension. He is starting his fourth week of the suspension.

The Raiders’ offensive line is quickly coming together.

Kansas City kicker Ryan Succop is trying to figure out his struggles.

The Broncos may get pass-rusher Elvis Dumervil (shoulder) and left cornerback Champ Bailey (hamstring) back for Sunday’s game at Green Bay. They both have missed the past two games. Their return would give Denver a big boost even though the Broncos have been playing better on defense even without Dumervil and Bailey in the early season.

The quarterback-hungry Colts are working out former Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle. He has never won an NFL start. The Colts host the Chiefs on Oct. 9. Wouldn’t it be something if Croyle actually quarterbacked the Colts in that game? That could have major draft-pick implications.

ESPNW has a nice profile on Oakland executive Amy Trask. She is the only woman in the NFL in her role.

Denver star left cornerback Champ Bailey will be adding nickel-cornerback duties to his repertoire this season in some situations. It is a sign of Denver’s new aggressive approach under new coach John Fox. The Broncos will do what it takes to improve the NFL’s worst defense.

Andrew Brandt takes a look at Terrelle Pryor’s suspension. Pryor is facing a five-game suspension to start his Oakland career. The Raiders took him in the third round of the supplemental draft on Monday.

Here is a video of Colleen Dominguez reporting from Raiders camp in preparation of Pryor’s signing.

San Diego rookie receiver Vincent Brown is healthy and playing catch up in practice.

The Raiders are working on stopping the run, which has been a lingering problem.

The Chiefs are hurrying to evaluate their roster.

Former Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle is officially an Arizona Cardinal.

More reported details have emerged from the Thomas Jones-Jon Baldwin fight last week. Reportedly, the veteran punched the rookie first because he objected to some rookie hazing.

Former Kansas City quarterback Brodie Croyle is reportedly expected to sign with Arizona.

The Chiefs had no plans to re-sign Croyle in the offseason. They are currently going with Tyler Palko and fifth-round pick Ricky Stanzi as Matt Cassel's backups.

Coyle was a third-round pick of the Chiefs in 2006. They looked at him as a potential starter, but he never could stay healthy nor could he win. He was 0-10 as the Chiefs’ starter. His fate was sealed late last season when he started a game in San Diego and he was awful in a 31-0 loss. The Chiefs realized then that they could not rely on Croyle to help them win.

In other AFC West nuggets Tuesday afternoon:

Here’s more talk that Tim Tebow is struggling in Denver and one team source is quoted as saying undrafted rookie Adam Weber is further along than Tebow. My thoughts? I think what we have to pay attention to is the fact that he is currently the No. 3 quarterback. That tells you all you need to know at this point.

Denver rookie linebacker Von Miller, the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, appeared on the Scott Van Pelt radio show Tuesday.

Here’s more evidence of just how bad the Josh McDaniels’ era was in Denver. If Broncos’ fans wonder how the team’s roster got depleted; wonder no more, McDaniels did a number on your franchise in less than two years.

Terrelle Pryor said he is determined to stay at quarterback in Oakland. Oakland head coach Hue Jackson said Monday the Raiders will start the former Ohio State quarterback at the position and then take it from there.

Kansas City coach Todd Haley shows his players another side of himself.

There is still a long way to go before a new labor agreement is reached. But there appears to be progress between the owners and players.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted that the expectation is that any player with 4-6 years of experience with an expiring contract would become an unrestricted free agent. There are some interesting names in the AFC West that would be affected. ESPN Stats & Information prepared a free-agent primer. Listed below are key AFC West players who would be affected if Schefter’s expectation plays out:

QUARTERBACKS

6 or more seasons: Billy Volek

4 to 5 seasons: Brodie Croyle, Bruce Gradkowski

RUNNING BACKS

6 or more seasons: Darren Sproles

4 to 5 seasons: Laurence Maroney

WIDE RECEIVERS

4 to 5 seasons: Malcom Floyd

TIGHT ENDS

6 or more seasons: Randy McMichael

4 to 5 seasons: Zach Miller

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

6 or more seasons: G Robert Gallery, T Langston Walker, C Casey Wiegmann

4 to 5 seasons: T Jeromey Clary, C Samson Satele

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

6 or more seasons: Jamal Williams

LINEBACKERS

6 or more seasons: Kevin Burnett, Mike Vrabel

CORNERBACKS

6 or more seasons: Nnamdi Asomugha

SAFETIES

4 to 5 seasons: Michael Huff, Eric Weddle

San Diego’s Vincent Jackson, Kansas City’s Tamba Hali and Oakland’s Kamerion Wimbley were given the franchise tag. Schefter expects the franchise tag to be part of a new deal. Wimbley has already signed his tender, while Jackson and Hali haven’t.

Monday, we looked at the starting quarterbacks in the AFC West. Now let’s take a look at the backup spots in the division because there are some interesting situations:

Denver

As a whole, this is the most unclear quarterback situation in the division. The team has said Kyle Orton is the starter for now, but it won’t commit to him for the season. The team may give Tim Tebow a chance to start at some point. Thus, Orton could be traded. I don’t think Orton would be interested in sticking around as a backup, especially if Tebow is given the starting job before the season.

That could leave Brady Quinn as the backup. He was replaced by Tebow as the backup prior to the season and Quinn didn’t throw a pass last season. I think Denver would be reluctant to make Quinn the backup and it would rather keep him as the No.3 if at all. Denver could look for a No. 3 quarterback once it is able to sign undrafted rookies. But because of the condensed offseason (and perhaps training camp), Denver could opt to keep Quinn as a No. 3 and sign a veteran as a backup if Orton is dealt. This is a fluid situation at all three spots and the longer the lockout goes on, the more complicated it will get.

Kansas City

There should be change here, but it will likely be much less complicated than the Denver situation. I expect fifth-round pick Ricky Stanzi to get a chance to be the backup to Matt Cassel. Brodie Croyle is a free agent and I don’t expect the Chiefs to make a huge effort to re-sign him. I think the Chiefs will be happy with Cassel, Stanzi and Tyler Palko.

Oakland

It looks like Kyle Boller will be the backup behind Jason Campbell. Boller was re-signed this offseason and it looks like he was chosen to be the backup in front of Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye. If I had to guess I’d say Oakland could try to sign an undrafted rookie or re-sign Frye to be the No. 3 quarterback. I think Gradkowski may be heading out of town as a free agent.

San Diego

This has a chance to get interesting. Backup Billy Volek -- widely considered one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league -- is a free agent and has expressed a desire to vie for a starting job. A team that needs a quarterback could give Volek a chance, but the longer the lockout goes, the smaller the chances are of that happening. If Volek stays, the Chargers will be fine. If not, they could be scrambling for help behind Philip Rivers.

The Kansas City Chiefs are continuing the best draft in the AFC West, in my opinion.

Following up on a strong first three rounds, the Chiefs got perhaps one of the best players available on the third day in the form of Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi. He was taken in the fifth round with the No. 135 overall pick.

That is a great value choice. Stanzi was considered a likely early fourth-round choice. He was graded by most teams as a step below the seven quarterbacks who were taken in the first three rounds, mostly because he may need time to develop.

But a lot of teams think Stanzi will develop into a solid NFL starter. Stanzi was known for being a tough player in the Big Ten. He is accurate and his game could translate well to the NFL.

Kansas City coach Todd Haley and quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn should help Stanzi develop quickly.

I expect him to be the Chiefs’ backup quarterback immediately unless he is a total disaster in training camp and in the preseason. Current backup Brodie Croyle has been ineffective and he is a free agent. The Chiefs wanted an upgrade and Saturday they got one.

Stanzi could be groomed under Matt Cassel and could be ready to play in a few years whether it’s as Cassel’s replacement or as a valuable trade piece.

There’s no downside to this selection.

The Kansas City Star projects the Chiefs will take Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi in the fifth round. I like this choice. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Chiefs take Stanzi in the fourth round. I think the Chiefs are seriously considering grooming a quarterback and finding an immediate upgrade from Brodie Croyle at backup quarterback. Stanzi could be the guy. A lot of scouts like this kid.

There have been many notable players traded from or to the AFC West since 2000 during the draft. If the lockout doesn’t end by the April 28-30 trade, there will be no player movement during the draft.

Former Oakland Raiders first-round flameout Todd Marinovich has found success and peace as an artist. It’s been a tough road for Marinovich. It’s good to see he is enjoying life.

Let’s take a look at some of the more notable visits and workouts AFC West teams have recently arranged:

Denver

The Broncos, who are as aggressive as any team this spring when it comes to private workouts, are going to take a look at Missouri defensive end Aldon Smith. He is also getting noticed from San Diego and Kansas City. Smith will likely be drafted in the No. 12-25 range. So Denver, which has the No. 2 overall pick, will likely only get a crack at Smith if it trades down from No. 2 or if it trades back into the first round.

Kansas City

The Chiefs are looking at two intriguing skill-position players. They are planning to work out Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick and Miami receiver Leonard Hankerson.

Kaepernick, who is also working out for Denver, is likely going to be taken in the second or third round. Kansas City is also working out TCU quarterback Andy Dalton. The team is looking for an upgrade from Brodie Croyle at backup quarterback. With needs for a pass-rusher and a perhaps a tackle, the Chiefs could give Dwayne Bowe some help and take Hankerson. He is rising up draft boards and he could be tempting at No. 21.

San Diego

The Chargers are planning to work out Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan. The team will seriously consider taking Kerrigan with the No. 18 pick. He is a fierce pass rusher. San Diego General manager A.J. Smith was at Kerrigan’s pro day and now he is bringing the player to San Diego for a closer look. This could be a fit.

Weekend mail call:

Shawn Patterson from Ames, Iowa, wants to know if the Kansas City Chiefs could pursue Alabama running back Mark Ingram in the first round to replace Thomas Jones.

Bill Williamson: Hi Shawn, I don’t see that happening for many reasons. First, the Chiefs have greater needs. If the Chiefs go for an offensive skill-position player with the No. 21 pick, I think they would draft a receiver not a running back. The Chiefs like Jones. Yes, he’ll be 33 this summer and his production dipped toward the end of the season. But the Chiefs love his leadership and he pairs well with Jamaal Charles. I think Jones sticks around for another season. I don’t see running back being an area of urgent need in Kansas City.

Stuart McNair from Montreal wants to know if there are any safeties in the draft Denver could focus on.

BW: It’s not a strong draft for safeties. But the Denver Broncos should be in position to take one of the better safeties on the board. It just depends on whether Denver thinks it’s a major need area in the draft. Denver pursued O.J. Atogwe before he signed with the Washington Redskins recently, so it’s obvious the team wants an upgrade at the position. Denver had three picks in the first 47 picks and four picks in the first 67 picks. I could see the position being addressed. The top safeties available are UCLA's Rahim Moore and Oklahoma’s Quinton Carter. They both should be taken in the early portion of the second round.

Keith Warren from Louisville wants to know if the Chiefs could go after San Francisco 49ers free-agent quarterback Troy Smith as a backup option.

BW: I think Smith will be on the list of backup quarterback options, but I don’t think he’ll be a favorite. I don’t know whether he’s a natural fit for what the Chiefs do. While it is not mandatory, often teams try to pair a starter with a backup who has a similar style of play for continuity reasons. Matt Cassel and Smith aren’t exactly the same type of player. I do think the Chiefs will consider an upgrade from Brodie Croyle, but I think they may look in the mid-rounds of the draft for a young quarterback to develop. They are reportedly going to work out TCU quarterback Andy Dalton. He'll probably be taken in the 2-3 rounds.

INDIANAPOLIS -- With the NFL combine kicking off, let’s take a look at several of the potential storylines involving the AFC West during the draft-preparation event:

It all starts at No. 2: The draft epicenter of the AFC West this year is in Denver. That’s the reward for going 4-12 and taking a major step backward. The Broncos will be looking for defensive help, and every move made by Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers, Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley, LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson and several others will be scrutinized by the defense-hungry Broncos in the next several days.

Scouting Wisniewski II: The Raiders don’t have a first-round draft pick (New England gets the No. 17 pick from the 2009 Richard Seymour trade). The Raiders don’t pick until No. 48. One player Oakland will likely look at closely is center/guard Stefen Wisniewski. He is the nephew of former Raiders offensive line great and new assistant line coach Steve Wisniewski. That combine player-coaching staff meeting would be fun to watch. Wisniewski, who followed his famous uncle to Penn State, would fill a need in Oakland. I can see the Raiders taking a long look at him.

Pass-rushers galore: This is a strong class for pass-rushers and that should benefit both the Chargers and Chiefs. San Diego picks No. 18 and the Chiefs pick No. 21. I could see both teams taking a pass-rusher with their top picks. The better the pass-rushers do in Indianapolis, the larger the range of prospects for the Chiefs and Chargers. That group should include Missouri’s Aldon Smith, UCLA’s Akeem Ayers and Cal’s Cameron Jordan.

Oakland and the second-tier QBs: The Raiders could look at a quarterback in the second round to groom beyond Jason Campbell. This might be the time to groom a young quarterback in Oakland. If Washington’s Jake Locker and Arkansas' Ryan Mallett tumble and TCU’s Andy Dalton, Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick and Florida State’s Christian Ponder impress, these prospects could all be possibilities in the middle of the second round. Last year, Carolina took Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen at No. 47. He was the third quarterback taken.

What about Julio? In addition to pass-rushers, I could see the Chiefs and Chargers considering a receiver early. One player who would fit both teams is Alabama’s Julio Jones. If Jones performs well, there is likely little chance either team will be able to snare him. It will be difficult to imagine Jones falling below the Rams at No. 14 if he stays the course. So, he could require moving up to get.

Will A.J. fall in love again? The Jones’ situation brings us to San Diego general manager A.J. Smith. Last year, he moved up 16 spots to take Fresno State running back Ryan Mathews at No. 12. Smith admitted that he fell for Mathews early and that moving up to get him was long his plan. Will it happen again at the combine this year? If so, Smith is prepared to move up. The Chargers have extra picks in the second and third rounds. So, he is prepared for anything.

Williamson High feeding the AFC West? If Denver takes Fairley, it will mark the second time a player from Mobile, Alabama’s Williamson High School will be taken with a high pick in four years. In 2007, Oakland took Williamson product JaMarcus Russell with the No. 1 pick.

Does Bowers have a dash of Peppers? Bowers will be very popular with teams. He is a top pass-rusher and he has been compared to Julius Peppers. I’m sure new Denver coach John Fox can’t wait to spend some time with Bowers to further examine the Peppers’ comparison. Fox drafted Peppers with the No. 2 overall pick in 2002. It was Fox’s first year in Carolina. If Fox takes Bowers with the No. 2 overall pick in his first season in Denver, the Peppers’ comparison will only heighten.

Will Newton help Denver? If Auburn quarterback Cam Newton impresses the Carolina Panthers, he could be the No. 1 overall pick. The Broncos are hoping for Newton to wow the Panthers. If so, that means every defensive player in the draft will be on the board for Denver at No. 2. Denver is looking defense all the way after being last in the NFL in total defense and points allowed in 2010.

The Chiefs and the SEC: Who are the Chiefs going to take? Well, I think we have to look at the SEC first. Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli has a history of taking players from the SEC early. Both of the players the Chiefs have taken in the first round under Pioli, Tyson Jackson and Eric Berry, are SEC alums. Overall, the Chiefs have taken SEC players in the first round in the past four years.

All eyes on Von Miller: The physically impressive Miller is the type of player who could fit in Denver, San Diego and Kansas City. The question is whether or not he is a realistic target for any of those teams. If Miller has a great combine, he could move into the conversation for Denver at No. 2, but that might be a tad high. Denver could try to move down a few spots to get him, but trading down from No. 2 will be difficult. The No. 2 pick hasn’t been traded in 11 years. San Diego and Kansas City could potentially try to move up for Miller. I think San Diego would be a better bet. It has more trading ammunition than the Chiefs have and the Chiefs will likely be happy to stick at No. 21 and see what falls to them.

Casey Matthews' time? The Oregon middle linebacker could be popular. He is the younger brother of Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews, who blossomed into one of the NFL’s better defenders in his second season. Teams could be swayed by Mathews’ potential and look at him as high as the second round. I could see Denver, San Diego and Kansas City all taking a look at him.

The Robert Quinn factor: The former North Carolina defensive end could be an X factor. He didn’t play in 2010 because he made contact with an agent. He was considered a top prospect. If he has a great combine, he could work his way into the conversation for Denver.

Oakland and the stop watch: Whoever posts the fastest 40-yard dash at the combine has to be considered an Oakland prospect. The Raiders covet speed as much as any team in the league. Last year’s fastest man at the combine was Jacoby Ford. Oakland grabbed him in the fourth round and he looks like a future star.

Will the Chiefs find a backup QB? I would be surprised if the Chiefs brought back backup Brodie Croyle in 2011. So, the team could be interested in looking for a young backup. I could see Kansas City studying prospects in the third and fourth rounds.

The Duke works the combine: New Denver VP of football operations John Elway will be at the combine. This is his first season as a football personnel man and he will be a big part of Denver’s process at the combine.

Aaron Rodgers' trip to the Super Bowl has to be a harsh reminder of a mistake made by many of the 23 teams that bypassed Rodgers in the 2005 draft. The Cal product was taken by Green Bay with the No. 24 overall pick. He has become an elite-level player.

Of course, the team that has to feel the worst about overlooking Rodgers is San Francisco. The 49ers bypassed the local boy with the No.1 pick to take Utah quarterback Alex Smith. We know what a terrible misuse that was. Let’s take a look at the AFC West teams and how it worked out for them after not taking Rodgers.

San Diego, No. 12: The Chargers took linebacker Shawne Merriman. San Diego can’t be dinged here. Merriman was a dominant player for three years before a series of injuries altered his career. Plus, the Chargers took Philip Rivers the year before. There was no need for a quarterback.

Kansas City, No. 15: In retrospect, there could have been an argument for the Chiefs to take Rodgers. But at the time, I don’t think it was a terrible choice. The Chiefs took linebacker Derrick Johnson. He’s been a fine pick. Sure, Rodgers would look good in a Chiefs uniform, but he’d look good in many uniforms. The Chiefs didn’t have a pressing need at quarterback at the time, so I can’t bash this decision. Still, the team clearly was in the market for a young quarterback. The Chiefs took quarterback James Kilian in the seventh round in 2005 and they took Brodie Croyle in the third round the next season. So, taking a falling Rodgers at No. 15 could have been tempting.

Oakland, No. 23: This is where it hurts. The Raiders moved up to No. 23. They earlier traded the No. 7 pick to Minnesota in the Randy Moss trade. It appeared that Oakland would end Rodgers’ fall and keep him in the East Bay. Instead, Oakland took cornerback Fabian Washington. Instead of a taking a franchise quarterback-in-waiting, the Raiders -- who were entering the second season of an uninspiring two-season Kerry Collins era -- took the speedy Washington out of Nebraska. Washington was traded to Baltimore for a fourth-round draft pick after three seasons. While Oakland didn’t whiff on Rodgers as badly as San Francisco, you have to wonder where this franchise would be now had the Raiders addressed a need and pleased the home folks by taking Rodgers instead taking Washington.

Denver didn’t have a first-round pick. It traded the No. 25 pick to Washington four days before the draft. The Redskins took Jason Campbell one pick after Rodgers was taken. He is now Oakland’s quarterback.

Weekend mail call:

Andrew Smith from Kansas City, Kan., wants to know if I think the Chiefs could draft a center like Florida’s Mike Pouncey because Casey Wiegmann will soon turn 38.

Bill Williamson: You’re on the right track, Andrew. I’m not sure replacing Wiegmann right now is the team’s top need. I think the Chiefs could use a right tackle or front seven help on defense. I could see the Chiefs adding a young center, but I think they may have other needs in the first round. So while Pouncey could help the Chiefs and he could be taken around the No. 21 slot the Chiefs select at, I think there are other players who could better help Kansas City.

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Kevin from Granada Hills wants to know if I think San Diego could try to trade up in the first round.

BW: I really do think there is a good chance. The Chargers have five picks in the first three rounds with two picks in the second and third rounds. The Chargers have great drafting power. San Diego is a good team, so it might be best served getting two or three players who can help right away than using all five of those picks. San Diego moved up from No. 28 to No. 12 to take Ryan Mathews last year, so there is a recent history of aggressive drafting. Among the players San Diego could potentially look to trade up for include Alabama receiver Julio Jones, Cal defensive end Cam Jordan and Texas A & M linebacker Von Miller.

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Alex from Kansas City wants to know if I think Kansas City could draft a quarterback this year.

BW: I wouldn’t be shocked if the Chiefs looked at a quarterback in the third or fourth round. If they identify a prospect to develop in one of those rounds I could l see the Chiefs pulling the trigger. Backup quarterback Brodie Croyle is a free agent and I’m not sure the Chiefs want to bring him back, so I could see the Chiefs looking to develop a young backup for starter Matt Cassel.

The Tennessee Titans announced quarterback Vince Young will not be with the team in 2011.

Let’s take a look if he fits anywhere in the AFC West.

Denver

Depending on who is the new head coach, Young could possibly fit as a backup. It looks like Tim Tebow will be the starter and Kyle Orton will be traded. I could see the Titans making a run at Orton. So, with a backup job likely available, there could be interest in Young. He is a runner like Tebow, so it could be a system fit.

Kansas City

I think the Chiefs will move away from Brodie Croyle as backup, so there might be an opening. But I don’t see Young being a fit in this system.

Oakland

You always have to wonder about Oakland. Al Davis likes giving talented players a second chance. Oakland is hardly set at quarterback but Jason Campbell is probably a more stable fit for the immediate future than Young. Still, I wouldn’t be shocked if Young is wearing the Silver and Black in 2011.

San Diego

Backup Billy Volek may try to leave to pursue a starter’s job, so there may be an opening. But I don’t see the Chargers pursuing Young.

KANSAS CITY -- The Oakland Raiders will be without star running back Darren McFadden and star defensive lineman Richard Seymour for Sunday’s season finale at Kansas City.

Both were game-time decisions. On Friday, Oakland coach Tom Cable said he thought McFadden had a better chance of playing than Seymour. Neither player practiced all week. McFadden has a turf toe injury and Seymour has a hamstring injury that also kept him out of last week’s game.

McFadden had a breakout season this year. He is a Pro Bowl alternate. Seymour made the Pro Bowl. He is a free agent, but Oakland is expected to do everything it can to keep him, likely with a long-term deal.

The only surprise on Kansas City’s inactive list was that Brodie Croyle is the No. 3 quarterback and Tyler Palko is the backup. Croyle has been the No. 2 quarterback all season. The Chiefs didn’t say whether Croyle was injured or not. He was not on the injury report all week. Croyle is a free agent after the season. If this move was a coach’s decision, it will likely mean Croyle will not return next season.

ST. LOUIS –- Brian Waters wants Kansas City Chiefs fans to fully appreciate what they witnessed Sunday and what they have in their quarterback.

Eleven days after having an appendectomy that limited him in practice and kept his availability for Sunday’s crucial game against the St. Louis Rams in question until moments before kickoff, Matt Cassel lifted the Chiefs to a crucial 27-13 win. The victory was an important step toward securing Kansas City's first AFC West championship since 2003.

“After today, fans have to appreciate this guy,” said Waters, the Chiefs’ standout 11-year guard. “I know a lot of people doubted Matt, but they shouldn't doubt him anymore. There’s no question he’s our leader and he’s a very good football player. I told him before the game that he didn’t need to be Superman out here today ... but on a few plays, he actually looked like Superman.”

Added Kansas City running back Thomas Jones on Cassel’s performance: “For a guy to come back, after having an organ removed from his body ... it’s definitely extraordinary.”

If the Chiefs end up going to the playoffs, Cassel’s performance Sunday will go down in Kansas City annals as one of the more heroic performances in its professional sports history. Cassel never truly tested his strength all week and sat out a portion of pregame warm-ups just to save energy.

“This is not a common thing,” Kansas City coach Todd Haley said. “[It’s] not a thing we have had a lot of experience with, so you have to depend on the medical staff and be sure that you are not putting someone in a compromising situation.”

Well after backups Brodie Croyle and Tyler Palko were on the field throwing balls to receivers, Cassel gingerly entered the field and played short toss with a Kansas City support member. Yet, when the game started, it was clear Cassel was on the field for more than a cameo appearance or merely moral support. He was playing to energize Kansas City's playoff hopes.

Cassel moved without pain and led Kansas City to 20 unanswered points. In the end, Cassel was his usual efficient self, completing 15 of 29 passes for 184 yards. He threw for one touchdown and was intercepted once. Those aren’t exactly classic star numbers. But without Cassel leading this offense, the Chiefs have proved they can’t move the ball.

“I knew he was either going to be throwing up blood or making plays,” Waters said of Cassel.

Added St. Louis coach Steve Spagnuolo: “I think his statement was, 'Hey, I’m not afraid to run it, I’m not afraid to throw it. I’m here to play ball.’ "

On Sunday, Cassel led Kansas City to 27 points. Last week, with Cassel resting on his couch, the Chiefs had 67 yards offense as the Croyle-led squad was brutalized, 31-0, against San Diego.

After Cassel’s performance and its bounce back from last week's disaster-by-the-sea, Kansas City is now 9-5. If the Chiefs win their final two games -- at home next week against Tennessee and on Jan. 2 against Oakland -- they will win the division. If the Chiefs -- who are 6-0 at home this season -- lose once and San Diego (8-6) wins its final two games, the Chargers will win the division. San Diego plays at Cincinnati next week and at Denver to close out the season. (Check out ESPN's NFL Playoff Machine and playoff standings.)

“As the quarterback, I certainly want to be out there as much as possible,” Cassel said. “Any chance I had to play this week, I was going to do it.”

Cassel’s presence clearly lifted Kansas City.

“To see our quarterback rush back after an injury like that was impressive,” Kansas City receiver Chris Chambers said. “It made us all elevate our game. Matt showed he’s something special.”

Last season and earlier this season, many Kansas City fans were dissatisfied with Cassel, who was acquired from New England in 2009 and was given a $40 million deal. After a sluggish start in 2010, many thought the Chiefs should not exercise the option on Cassel after this season and perhaps pursue Philadelphia’s Kevin Kolb in the offseason. Over the past two months, though, Cassel has been one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL. He has thrown 24 touchdown passes with just five interceptions this season.

Kansas City has the NFL’s best running game (it added 210 yards on the ground Sunday) and a surprisingly stout defense -- the basis of a solid team. On Sunday, Cassel showed he’s the nucleus of the team. It is clear he is going to be the Chiefs’ quarterback for the long term. If Kansas City is still playing in January, Cassel will give them a fighting chance.

“He was [a hero],” Waters said. “What he did out there and how he lifted us today was a big deal.”