Looking at the game against the Green Bay Packers, the biggest thing that jumps out is how different the game would be with Sean Smith. While the Kansas City Chiefs have had to deal with his suspension for two weeks already, it was possible that he would face less discipline if he had gotten the paper work turned in before the league changed its disciplinary policies.
While the Chiefs will be without their best cornerback from last year for one more game they have shown that they still have a talented secondary.
I’m starting to wonder if Smith is a starter when he comes back. Marcus Peters has shown that he was a steal where the Chiefs drafted him. Phillip Gaines has also shown that he is very adept at coverage in defensive coordinator Bob Sutton’s scheme. While he isn’t the player that Peters is, the Chiefs secondary will be very good without Smith in 2016 and beyond.
Smith is still a good corner who should come in when the Chiefs go to three cornerbacks and Gaines can move inside and cover the slot receiver. While Smith has the size to play better on the outside vs. the likes of upcoming opponents of A.J. Green and Alshon Jeffery, the Chiefs are watching the future at the cornerback position.
Another issue the Chiefs have to address headed into Monday’s game is the turnovers. The Chiefs looked like the better team on Thursday night but weren’t able to pull out a victory because of five turnovers. While a good team can overcome a turnover or two the margin for error is slim to none when the turnover difference is +3 let alone +4.
Jamaal Charles and Alex Smith having multiple turnovers in the same game is something that probably won’t happen again. What could go wrong against the Broncos went wrong and the Chiefs are about to show whether or not they have the ability to bounce back from such a horrible showing on national TV.
Kansas City is starting right where it left off last season by being horrible on third downs. Being 3-of-20 on third down isn’t going to be good enough to play in January. Kansas City has to find a way to improve on third down and keep from getting penalties that back it up.
While avoiding penalties will help, the Chiefs also have to be able to put themselves in better down and distances consistently. The Chiefs must find a way to get some production on the early downs so that the defense can’t sit back and wait for a pass. Getting Charles going early in this game is the best way to fix this issue. He needs to get the ball four or five times in the first series to help open up the rest of the offense.
Maybe the biggest thing that the Chiefs have to work on for their game for Monday is the offensive line play. With Fisher getting the start at right tackle he should be able to solidify the right side if Laurent Duvernay-Tardif can hold his own. Green Bay’s defensive line isn’t near as ferocious as the Broncos and the Chiefs are healthier than they were at any point last season.
The left side of the offensive line looks fantastic with the play of Donald Stephenson and Ben Grubbs protecting Smith’s blindside. With the play of Mitch Morse at center the Chiefs have a line that could finally be formidable if they can stay healthy and get some time together as a unit.
Kansas City was able to run the ball on Denver and the Green Bay defense is ranked 32nd against the run. I expect the Chiefs to use Charles and a strong game from the line to help open up the passing game. Kansas City will need to take shots downfield but that isn’t as big a deal if they are able to methodically move the ball. Jeremy Maclin needs to be more of a threat, but that will come with time and a better ground game.
What do you think of Kansas City’s chances tonight, Addicts?