Steelers vs. Chiefs: Five Questions with the Enemy
By Kim Myers
Dec 7, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid looks on during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
From a fan’s perspective, what’s the confidence level in Alex Smith and Andy Reid to make another successful playoff run this season?
The fanbase is split 60-40, give or take. The majority have the utmost faith in the pairing; others think they’re some kind of mad-scientist-meets-conservative-Antichrist odd couple. Either way, with nearly two seasons in the books now, the trenches are dug, and there’s no gray area between them.
Prior to last week, Smith’s pass protection tended to look like anything but, so Reid minimized the damage schematically (short drops, screens, misdirection, etc.) throughout the year. And while that has been more effective than not, it hasn’t helped Smith debunk the “Captain Check down” narrative.
Regardless, Reid has been to the Super Bowl, and three years ago, Smith was two Kyle Williams fumbles away from doing the same. He also had the highest single-game passer rating of the 2013 playoffs.
Fans will have their personal piñatas, but at the end of the day, Smith and Reid are part of the solution, not the problem.
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