Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs will survive losses of Jamaal Charles, Alex Smith

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Kansas City Chiefs will find themselves without two of their starters this coming Sunday against Jacksonville. But even without Jamaal Charles and Alex Smith it should be no problem for the team.

It is sad to realize that when the Kansas City Chiefs put star running back Jamaal Charles on IR Tuesday, it might be for good. Charles is having another knee surgery and is likely done for the season and perhaps with the Chiefs for his career. Another surgery will mean he will miss the remainder of the season but, could comeback for the post-season if the team were to make it.

The truth is he will probably be done and our very own Matt Verderame had a great piece on Charles if you have not read it. As for the Chiefs Kingdom, we all hope that is not the case and we will see the NFL all-time leading yards per attempt leader (5.5 yards per carry) not go out like this.

When it comes to the run game, as sad as it is to say but, the Chiefs are almost better off without Charles in the backfield, a statement no one thought would be made. Current starting running back Spencer Ware is averaging 5.0 yards per rush for the Chiefs, and has broken away for two 40 plus yard rushes so far. He is also 6th in the NFL with yards from scrimmage with 824 yards.

While it is sad that Charles, the once dynamic/take it to the house anytime player is down for yet another season, having Ware in the backfield is a good thing. Now for more sad news, Ware might not play this weekend while dealing with a concussion he suffered in the Colts game as well. Even with that they still have another good option in fellow back Charcandrick West.

Oct 30, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) runs past Indianapolis Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson (53) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

It was also announced that quarterback Alex Smith will also miss the game this week as he is still going through concussion protocol, though he is not displaying symptoms. Smith has been on fire as of the last few games before he was cheaply hit a couple of times during the Indianapolis Colts game last week.

Averaging his second-best mark for passing yards per attempt at 7.0 yards per attempt, all the while posting his best completion rating at 66.1 since joining the Chiefs. This has left the door open for backup quarterback Nick Foles to show what he might be able to do with the team during a full game.

Foles has had some up and down seasons since coming into the league. However, his best years seem to have been under current Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. Having worked with Reid is one of the reasons he stated when he decided to come to KC instead of signing elsewhere as a potential starter.

So, now with Smith out for the game this week where does that leave the Chiefs? In all honesty it leaves them better off than what they started with.

Oct 30, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Nick Foles (4) calls an audible at the the line against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

Now in no way is Foles truly a better quarterback than Alex Smith. Smith is a good quarterback who uses his legs, and caution when it comes to playing the position. But on the flip side of that coin, Foles presents a deep threat that Smith may not want to show. Yes, he will on occasion throw the ball downfield, and has done so this season but, he is more prone to run if nothing opens up.

Foles during the Colts game played exceptionally well, going 16 for 22, with a 72% completion rate, throwing 223 yards, two scores and no interceptions. One other interesting stat that really shows a difference in the two QB’s is his yards per attempt. Foles had a 10.1 ypa, a full three yards more than Smith is averaging this year. Foles opens up a whole other aspect of the Chiefs offense, the ability and willingness to throw the deep pass. Yes Smith does give the Chiefs the best chance to win the game with his moniker of “game manager”, but having Foles under center is a whole different game plan.

What say you, Addicts? Do you think Charles is done for the year? What about Foles, might Smith be let go if Foles can produce better numbers? Let us know your thoughts in the comment below.

Thanks for reading.

GO CHIEFS!!!