Chiefs film room: Alex Smith, let it fly

This is the first offensive drive for Kansas City in the AFC Divisional Game against New England. Here the Patriots are in their Dime package. The Chiefs have West in the backfield while Chris Conley is far left. Maclin and Kelce are in the slot to the left and Wilson is wide right.

On this play (3rd and 13), Smith has to drive the ball somewhere into the teeth of the defense for a first down. New England is in a quarters zone, which means it divides the field into fourths and protects against a deep ball with help underneath.

Smith is forced to scramble out with the right side of the offensive line allowing pressure. Before he scrambles, nobody is open. However, once he breaks the pocket, the Patriots begin to watch and react instead of staying on their landmarks.

When this happens, look in the top right corner of the picture. Conley is incredibly open. Smith is on the run and being pursued, so this wouldn’t be an easy play by any stretch. In addition, his mobility allows him to gain 14 yards and the first down here.

All that said, this is the kind of play where Smith has to reset his feet and fire. Conley is going to be 20 yards clear of the New England secondary when he throws that pass. Even something remotely decent is six points.

I’m asking Smith to make a very hard play. This is the kind of difference between winning and losing in the playoffs.

Next: Wilson vs. Texans