Chiefs reach anemic new low for offense in first half vs. Bills

The Kansas City Chiefs looked absolutely pathetic on offense at home in the first half versus the visiting Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

For those hoping that a visit from the Buffalo Bills would be the solution to the team’s recent offensive woes or losing ways, those hopes were cast aside quickly in the game’s opening minutes when it was clear the Chiefs were simply not going to perform well on Sunday.

The Bills, who have allowed 60 first downs over the previous two weeks, allowed the Chiefs a single first down in the entire first half. The Bills had also give up an average of 45 points over the last three weeks, all losses, but somehow the Chiefs could only manage a single field goal while playing at home.

The offensive ineptitude starts with the quarterback position, where Alex Smith looks like a (miserable) shell of his former self. At one point only weeks ago, he was mentioned in MVP talks for his incredible season he was having through the first half of the year, but lately he’s been less than stellar. Against the Bills, he was downright horrible, completing only 4 of his 11 passes for 41 yards and 0 touchdowns.

Tyreek Hill caught a single pass for 3 yards. Travis Kelce has only been targeted once. Only Demetrius Harris could manage an impressive catch of 28 yards for the Chiefs longest play, by far, of the entire day. The Chiefs also couldn’t get the running game going in the first half although Kareem Hunt only had five total carries. Yet even with those, he only ran for 4 total yards.

There was simply nothing positive about the offense at all in the first half against the Bills. From a single first down to an inability to convert on any of their six third downs or their 57 total yards to their total time off possession of only 8:43 (compared to the Bills owning the clock for other 21 minutes), the Chiefs served up some disgusting football.

Fortunately the Chiefs get the ball back to start the third quarter. Maybe there are some hopes for the Chiefs to make the right adjustments, but it’s hard to believe that will happen unless there’s a significant change in personnel or playcalling. Even with different plays, the Chiefs still might not be able to execute if Alex Smith can’t find the open receiver or remain in the pocket long enough for the play to blossom.