<strong><span class="subhead">A little bit of sack-cess</span></strong></p><p>The Chiefs haven&rsquo;t cranked up their pass rush to satisfactory levels, but halfway through the season, they have already matched last season&rsquo;s total of 10. </p><p>Wallace Gilberry had the Chiefs&rsquo; only sack Sunday, an 11-yarder on a third-down play that pushed the Jaguars to the fringe of field-goal position. Jacksonville wound up missing a 53-yard field-goal attempt.</p><p> Gilberry has three sacks and is tied with Tamba Hali for the team lead.</p><p>The Chiefs&rsquo; sack total last season set an NFL record for futility.</p><p><hr class="infobox-hr-separator" /> <div class="infobox"> <strong>Why can the Chiefs run a productive offense seemingly only in desperate situations?</strong></p><p>For the second time in four weeks, Kansas City&rsquo;s beleaguered offense was best when it had nothing to lose. In fewer than 2 minutes, the Chiefs trimmed Jacksonville&rsquo;s 24-6 lead to 3 points. Quarterback Matt Cassel was sharp, the Chiefs&rsquo; wide receivers were reliable, and the offensive line did its job. The problem was that it came too late. Coach Todd Haley&rsquo;s biggest challenge is to identify why the offense works in these situations but stalls when there is less pressure. Desperation seems to motivate the Chiefs. Haley needs to find the formula, and quickly.</p><p><strong>How did Kolby Smith and Jamaal Charles look?</strong></p><p>Smith ran with power and authority, and Charles was a quick and shifty alternative. Charles has the speed to break big plays, but he&rsquo;ll need help from his offensive line. Smith looked comfortable despite carrying the football in a game for the first time in a year. His previously injured knee appeared strong, and Smith didn&rsquo;t look hesitant. </p><p><strong>So what does this mean for Larry Johnson? </strong></p><p>Smith and Charles were good enough that the Chiefs don&rsquo;t have to rely on Johnson when he returns this week from his two-week suspension. Johnson turns 30 this week, and he has proven himself an ineffective rusher who no longer hits openings as he once did. Johnson&rsquo;s punishment is complete as of today, but his future with the Chiefs remains in doubt. Kansas City might not have an elite runner with or without Johnson, but at least it has options.</p><p><strong>What should be made of Chris Chambers&rsquo; performance?</strong></p><p>The eight-year veteran wide receiver looked like a smart pickup for the Chiefs, five days after Kansas City was the only team to submit a waiver claim for him. San Diego released Chambers on Monday, and the Chiefs pounced on the opportunity to grab a proven, if aging, wideout. Chambers made the Chiefs look smart Sunday when his two touchdown catches brought Kansas City within striking distance of the Jaguars. The decision to deactivate Bobby Wade, though, was odd and costly. Mark Bradley dropped two passes, and Kansas City is less confident on punt returns without Wade fielding them.</p><p><strong>What is strong safety Mike Brown&rsquo;s future in Kansas City?</strong></p><p>Brown was wise to own up to his mistakes Sunday, taking the blame for three big plays and two touchdowns. But accepting blame isn&rsquo;t the most important part of his job. Brown was signed &mdash; and chosen over Bernard Pollard &mdash; for his experience and polish. He hasn&rsquo;t shown that this season. Brown has underachieved, and if his veteran body has anything left, now would be a good time to sharpen his focus and commit to improving. For now, Brown is little more than a liability.</p><p><strong>What, if anything, is going right for the Chiefs?</strong></p><p>Outside linebacker Tamba Hali proved once again that he is a capable, if not outstanding, pass rusher. He continually hurried David Garrard on Sunday, and even if he couldn&rsquo;t bring down the Jacksonville quarterback, Hali showed that he is a difference-maker on a defense that possesses too few of them.