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Why is the Kansas City Chiefs offense so awful?

By Lyle Graversen

Nov 20, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Chris Conte (23) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Tampa Bay won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Chris Conte (23) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Tampa Bay won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 13, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on the sidelines in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs defeated the Panthers 20-17 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on the sidelines in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs defeated the Panthers 20-17 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

I think Andy Reid is one of the 10 best head coaches in the NFL, maybe even one of the top five. When you factor in how he teaches the game and how his players look up to him and respect him, when you factor in his eye for talent, when you look at his winning percentage over his career and in Kansas City I think his results speak for themselves. I don’t want Andy Reid to go anywhere.

That having been said, Andy needs to wake up and realize what kind of team he has. The Chiefs aren’t a pass happy team. They don’t have the quarterback for it. Philadelphia fans will tell you that we had better just except it because Andy doesn’t ever run the ball enough, but that hasn’t been the case since he came to Kansas City ……until this year.

The Chiefs offense wasn’t awful last year. Alex Smith isn’t a different guy than he was last year. The real difference is that last year the Chiefs were a running team and this year they are a passing team. Andy Reid has shifted the weight of the offense from the run game to Alex Smith….and it isn’t working.

The Chiefs were 27th in the NFL last year in passing yards per game. They were 30th in the NFL in passing yards per game. They were still ninth in the NFL in points per game though….you know why? They were WAY more efficient and that starts with the running game.

Last season the Chiefs were sixth in the NFL in rushing yards per game, third-best in yards per carry, and tied for first in rushing touchdowns. In 2016 those rankings are down to 21st, 17th, and 21st. They went from one of the very best rushing offenses to a below average one. As a result, more pressure to convert third downs and score points has fallen on the shoulders of Alex Smith. How has he handled it?

Not well.

His yards per attempt are down at 6.7 (26th in the NFL) compared to 7.4 (11th in the NFL) in 2015. The Chiefs third down conversion rate has dropped from 19th in the NFL last year (still not good enough) to 27th in the NFL this year (awful). Alex Smith can’t handle the pressure to make this offense go. That pressure has to go back to the run game if this team is going to have any success this season.

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