Chiefs’ offensive struggles could get worse

Oct 11, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws a pass against the Chicago Bears in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs offense hit a new low against the Chicago Bears yesterday. While starting to move the ball in the first half against the Bears the offense was only able to muster 10 points. When they came out in the second half the offense changed and went to running the ball down the Bears throats. While I originally liked the offensive change to start I continued to watch and started to notice part of the problem was that the Chiefs offense has no identity. They have nothing they can turn to and say this is what we do well and it can’t be stopped.

Over the first five games of the season the Chiefs offense will start to be successful and then they outsmart themselves later in the game. This has happened consistently since the second half of the Texans game and is one of the main reasons the Chiefs sit 1-4 this week. The road won’t get any easier for Kansas City after losing Jamaal Charles to a torn ACL.

Jeremy Maclin has overall been a bright spot on an offense that hasn’t had many since the start of the season. He’s currently on pace for over 1,500 yards receiving this year which would make him the first receiver that Alex Smith has played a full season with that has 1,000 yards receiving. Maclin has stepped in and contributed at a high level but has had some very difficult drops that the Chiefs have to live with, including one yesterday that took the Chiefs out of a more legitimate field goal range.

While Maclin has been a bright spot the offensive line has not. Alex Smith has been sacked 21 times and while not all of the sacks are on the offensive line, he has been hurried more this season than in years past and it is not something that is likely to get better as the season progresses. Donald Stephenson has allowed two sacks and 15 quarterback hurries while the man to his right, Ben Grubbs started the season strong but has regressed quickly. Grubbs is responsible for five sacks and five quarterback hurries.

Next: That offensive line...