New year and Alex Smith bring ‘new hope’ for Chiefs

Happy New Year! 2016 looks to start off on a high note.

Like the rebellion against the Death Star, Andy Reid and his Kansas City Chiefs have now officially done what many thought they could not. They have clinched at least one appearance in the early-2016 post season. They hope to earn a victory and break a 20-year drought.

That is something very remarkable when you consider the pitchforks came out for Reid after the team began the season 1-5. This nine-game, potentially 10-game win streak has taken on a life of its own and it has Reid dancing in the locker room. The defense has been playing lights out and is the foundation of their run into the playoffs. The Marcus Peters storyline is a major development, but the unit is playing incredibly as a whole. In the seven games since the bye week, the defense is surrendering only 12.5 points per game.

That is team defense at its best. The old adage ‘defense wins championships’ holds true, just ask Malcolm Butler and Russel Wilson. The Chiefs are in a very good position thanks to this defense.

The offense is a different story. The truth is that the offense has been up and down through this win streak. The West-Ware running back split has been pleasantly effective in replacing Jamaal Charles. Alex Smith’s continued evolution has been a good, but surprising spark. The offensive line has come together and played as a unit to provide the base for this offense to grow from.

Now, it is paying off. With the playoff slot in sight, the offense has been dialed back in recent weeks. Is Andy Reid playing possum? We covered this and a number of topics on this week’s Check with Me podcast. Listen below and see what you think. (or you can subscribe on iTunes here)

Smith can be Chiefs’ Jedi

Alex Smith gives the Chiefs an edge over the field of AFC quarterbacks whose teams are in the post-season. His development has been crucial for this team. He has relaxed and cultivated a comfort level with his receivers. He has pushed the ball downfield. That has been well-documented and continues even in games like last week versus the Browns.

The only concern is that he and the passing offense have been up and down. The play calling has taken a turn toward the vanilla and that definitely has an effect on how explosive the offense can be within a given gameplan. Smith has been resilient, however. He should be able to dial-up his performance and that passing game as a whole when the time comes in the AFC playoffs.

Smith also brings one thing to the table that can prove to be invaluable. He has playoff experience. Of the six projected starting quarterbacks for the AFC bracket, only Smith and Tom Brady have previous experience in the post-season.

Smith has played in three playoff games in his career to this point. He’s gone 1-2 in those contests including the crushing loss to the Indianapolis Colts in 2013. That was his first post-season in a Chiefs uniform. Now he gets another chance (and a good one) at a win.

Alex Smith can be the steady, unflinching veteran for this team to rally behind. The defense has its share of grizzled veterans. I bet Eric Berry and Tamba Hali could fly the Millennium Falcon if they had to. It also has a young newcomer with the potential to become elite. The Force is clearly strong with Marcus Peters.

On the other hand, the offense needs the confidence, presence and tutelage of an aged leader. It needs him to sharpen his reads and time his attack to make the greatest impact. That is something he has been able to do down the stretch, most notably with audibles and the post patterns out of the slot or TE. He can lead this offense on a scoring display to complement the defense and bring a well-rounded team to a playoff victory (or three).

Alex Smith can be the Chiefs’ Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Here’s to a wonderful 2016!  Enjoy the game.
Follow along on twitter @RyanTracyNFL for game observations.