Relax, Chiefs fans: It’s just one game

It’s tough to ignore the Chiefs’ offensive struggles of late. It’s tempting to isolate those struggles to Sunday’s game, but that’s revisionist history. Kansas City was 0-for-3 in red zone situations the previous Sunday (in Carolina). It’s time to face the fact that this offense isn’t holding up its end of the bargain and could snuff out this team’s aspirations of making a deep run in the postseason. The final frame of the season is approaching and the Chiefs are still in the process of fixing what ails an offense full of weapons.

Alex Smith is without excuse at this point. His apologists, already few in number, are fleeing.  He’s not the conservative quarterback avoiding mistakes at this point. He’s a shell of his former self, turning the ball over in crucial situations and missing wide open receivers at a time where his offense is starved for production. He’s the problem now. It’s a mistake to make him the singular issue on this offense, and frankly, he isn’t.

Andy Reid also has dirty hands. His mishandling of an otherwise talented group of offensive skill players is inexcusable. It’s unfathomable that he hasn’t been able to do more with an offense that boasts Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West, Travis Kelce, Jeremy Maclin, Tyreek Hill and Chris Conley. It’s time for him to relinquish offensive play calling.

That red zone interception was devastating. The Chiefs were in position to take the lead with a touchdown. Had they managed to score there, they might’ve walked away with a win. Even the decision not to attempt a 54-yard field goal earlier in the game played a role in the Chiefs falling to the Buccaneers.