Why the Kansas City Chiefs will win the AFC in 2017
By Austin Owen
The veteran leadership of Alex Smith
Here we go. This is the big one. Does Alex Smith have what it takes to win the AFC title in Kansas City? The short answer: Yes. Allow me to explain:
Alex Smith is the veteran leader Kansas City has lacked for decades. Ok, we probably won’t get much disagreement here. Alex Smith is a leader on this team. The guys on offense, they trust him. Let’s get into a couple examples from a year ago:
#1. The 21 point comeback vs San Diego
This was one for the ages. Alex willed the team to victory in this one, I knew at this point that he was not losing this game:
This was a Franchise Quarterback throw from Smith. He steps into the pressure and fires a beauty to Maclin. This came at a point when the Chiefs were down 17 with only nine minutes remaining. They needed scores and needed them quick. The Chiefs would kick a field goal, and after holding Rivers to a 3 & out, Alex would do this:
Driving for the tying score, he delivers an absolute STRIKE to Maclin over the middle. Spencer Ware would tie the game on the next play. On to overtime.
The Chiefs would win the coin toss and elect to receive, the first play was a beauty.
Two plays later, Smith would hit Kelce inside the 10-yard line. The game-winning play was a perfect end to an incredible Smith-fueled comeback.
#2. 4th Quarter & OT vs Denver Broncos
Whew. What a game this was. Alex Smith was bad for three quarters. Really bad. He didn’t turn the ball over, but managed to generate close to nothing on offense. Then, the 4th quarter happened. After allowing an 80-yard TD and trailing by 8, most Chiefs fans, including myself, had accepted that this one was over. Smith had other plans.
The Chiefs get the ball with three minutes remaining. Smith moves the offense all the way down to the 14-yard line, converting on 4th down along the way. Three incomplete passes brings up 4th & 10, the next play may be the best of Smith’s season.
This is such a clutch play from Smith. The free blitzer comes screaming around the left side, right at Smith’s face. To hang in there and throw a strike to Hill is impressive. Smith would then hit Hill for six and Demetrius Harris for the two. Tie game.
The teams would exchange field goals to start OT. After a long miss by McManus, Smith throws a nice pair of completions to Hill and Kelce, putting the team in range for Cairo Santos’ game winner. Smith was so clutch in this one. He was the kind of quarterback you want under center down the stretch.
#3 Divisional playoff loss vs Steelers
This is a hard one. The team should never have been in the position they were in near the end in the first place. Much like the Denver game, Smith was atrocious through most of this one. His potential game tying drive was a beauty though. If not for the non-hold on Fisher, we would be talking about the clutch Alex Smith who led Kansas City to the title game. Give that some thought.
Ok. We have established that Smith Is clutch and that he is a leader. But does he have what it takes in the playoffs? “If he were clutch, he would’ve beaten the Steelers” you might say, and you wouldn’t be wrong. Everyone has a bad day in the playoffs though, Lets take a trip back to 2011 to see Alex Smith at his best in the postseason.
Nice pass early here from Smith. Gives San Francisco the lead. Lets skip ahead to the 4th quarter.
The most iconic play of Smith’s career here. 30 yard bootleg for the lead with two minutes remaining. The Saints would fight back though, taking the lead by three with under a minute to go. Niners have the ball at the 30 with 40 seconds remaining in the game when Smith finds Vernon Davis for a 45 yard gain.
Two plays later on 3rd and 3 Smith finds Davis again for the game winner.
Smith had a day in this one, throwing for 300 yards and 3 scores while adding a score on the ground. The 49ers advance to the NFC title game, where Smith had your typical Alex Smith performance, throwing for 200 yards and two scores, while also rushing for 74. Smith also threw a pair of beauties to Vernon Davis in this one.
Smith put San Francisco in position to win. If not for a pair of Kyle Williams fumbles, we could very well be talking about Alex Smith, the guy who beat Tom Brady in the Super Bowl. Think about that.
The great Alex Smith debate will never truly end. Even once Mahomes takes the reins, until Kansas City reaches the promised land, there will be people arguing for or against Alex Smith. What I do know is this. Alex Smith can absolutely take Kansas City to the Super Bowl. Is it likely to happen? Maybe not. But he lead a 49’ers team that had less talent than KC to the title game, and nearly to the big one. Alex Smith is the leader this team needs this year.
Well, there you have it. Three reasons why Kansas City can win the AFC this season. Obviously, many variables will play out between now and January. Heck, a lot can change between now and the opener. What I want you to take away is this. The Kansas City Chiefs have, in my mind, their best chance to win the AFC since the late ’60s, with a nod to Montana’s team. This is a team that, down the stretch last year, most thought had the best chance at taking down New England. I believe the team we field this fall is more talented.
One day, the Kansas City Chiefs will finally hoist the trophy that bears their founder’s name. That day, my friends, cannot come soon enough.