Kansas City Chiefs: 5 Takeaways from Week 2 Loss to Broncos
By Brett Gering
4. Alex Smith Has Begun His Road to Redemption
Sep 14, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) passes the ball during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
At Denver, Smith looked more like the wild-card wonder boy than the Week 1 bete noire. As expected, the Chiefs fell to Megamind (Manning), but it wasn’t due to lack of offensive production.
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The blocking was shoddy at best. (Once again, Eric Fisher started strong out of the gate but decelerated in the second half. Last year’s No. 1 overall pick has allowed seven quarterback hits; four more than any other tackle this season.) By my count, there were three drops (attributed to Donnie Avery, Travis Kelce and Anthony Fasano).
Succop’s replacement played like the only things he should be kicking are rocks. And most importantly, Smith didn’t have his ankle-breaking asset, Charles, bolting from behind him.
Pouring salt in the wound, No. 11’s most buzz-worthy play—a deer-in-the-headlights rollout resulting in a 39-yard strike to Avery—was negated by a needless hold called on Zach Fulton.
The $45 Million Man isn’t the second coming of Willie Beamen, and his Week 1 performance evoked flashbacks of his predecessor.
But in Week 2, he willed a Little Giants-like offense to a pulse-pounding, one-possession loss—to a Super Bowl favorite—that ultimately unraveled within the last two minutes.
If you were calling for his head last week, feel free to loosen the leash.