Alex Smith On Loss of Hali and Houston

Mar 13, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith speaks to media during the press conference at The University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

In the wake of the Kansas City Chiefs loss to the San Diego Chargers, quarterback Alex Smith was asked if the the loss of Tamba Hali and Justin Houston put pressure on the offense.

"“Not necessarily, but obviously them being out, you recognize it. They’re not just the players they are, but the leaders on the team so anytime you see that on the field you certainly recognize it. You kind of form your own ground, I guess, you’re still trying to stay focused on what you have to do. You don’t have time out there to worry about things that are outside of your control. Realizing every time they scored, we had to answer. That was really our mindset on offense.”"

This is the first time all season the Chiefs offense actually had to answer every score with a score to stay in this game. Up until this point, Smith and the Chiefs offense could depend on the combination of Hali and Houston to get the ball back into the offense’s hands. That may change going forward, at least to some degree, and Smith and his offense will have to figure out how to adjust to not having the NFL’s leading pass rushing duo to do his dirty work.