Last week, we posted about **how the Kansas City Chiefs defense impacted* the ability for them to rally from the 1-5 start only to storm into the playoffs at 11-5. This week, we review the offense.*
Reviewing the 2015 Chiefs offense has to start with quarterback Alex Smith, who, as has been noted, entered 2015 with the same head coach and offensive coordinator for the third year in a row for just the first time in his 11-year career.
As can be seen from this three-year look, Smith has continued to build upon each year in Andy Reid's West Coast offense.
Alex Smith Passing Statistics in 2015 | ||||||||||||||
Year |
Age |
G |
QBrec |
Cmp |
Att |
Cmp% |
Yds |
TD |
Int |
Lng |
Y/A |
Rate |
QBR |
Sk |
2013 |
29 |
15 |
11-4-0 |
308 |
508 |
60.6 |
3313 |
23 |
7 |
71 |
6.5 |
89.1 |
49.7 |
39 |
2014 |
30 |
15 |
8-7-0 |
303 |
464 |
65.3 |
3265 |
18 |
6 |
70 |
7 |
93.4 |
54.9 |
45 |
2015 |
31 |
16 |
11-5-0 |
307 |
470 |
65.3 |
3486 |
20 |
7 |
80 |
7.4 |
95.4 |
66.5 |
45 |
The steady increase in his passer rating over the past three seasons leads one to believe that trend could continue in 2016.
A point about Smith to note was his willingness to rush during the 2015 season.
Alex Smith Rushing Statistics in 2015 | ||||||||
Year |
Att |
Yds |
TD |
Lng |
Y/A |
Y/G |
A/G |
Yards on Scm |
2013 |
76 |
431 |
1 |
26 |
5.7 |
28.7 |
5.1 |
427 |
2014 |
49 |
254 |
1 |
25 |
5.2 |
16.9 |
3.3 |
254 |
2015 |
84 |
498 |
2 |
49 |
5.9 |
31.1 |
5.3 |
498 |
After only garnering just 254 yards rushing in 2014, Smith rebounded to run for more than 400 yards again in 2015, and it proved to be something to watch each game. The Chiefs were 7-2 when Smith rushed for 30 yards or more.
This was the first year Smith worked with wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who came to the Chiefs via free agency last offseason. Maclin eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving for the second year in a row and had 8 touchdowns in his first season with Smith.
It's worth noting that the Chiefs lost running back Jamaal Charles in Week 5, but the tandem of Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West combined for 1,037 yards rushing and 11 total touchdowns on the season to fill the void.
As far as the offense as a whole, here is the point output from Week 7 forward, the stretch during which the Chiefs went 11-1:
WEEK |
OPPONENT |
RESULT |
POINTS SCORED |
Week 7 |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
W |
23 |
Week 8 |
Detroit Lions |
W |
45 |
Week 10 |
Denver Broncos |
W |
29 |
Week 11 |
San Diego Chargers |
W |
26 |
Week 12 |
Buffalo Bills |
W |
30 |
Week 13 |
Oakland Raiders |
W |
27 |
Week 14 |
San Diego Chargers |
W |
10 |
Week 15 |
Baltimore Ravens |
W |
20 |
Week 16 |
Cleveland Browns |
W |
17 |
Week 17 |
Oakland Raiders |
W |
23 |
Wild Card |
Houston Texans |
W |
23 |
Divisional |
New England Patriots |
L |
20 |
|
AVERAGE: |
|
24.4 |
For a complete breakdown of the offense in a game-by-game look, click here.
Here is a breakdown of where the Chiefs finished in different statistical categories throughout the regular season:
Key Offensive Rankings for Chiefs in 2015 | |||
Category |
Rank |
Value |
NFL Average |
Fourth-down conversions |
2 |
66.7% |
48.9% |
Avg. margin of victory |
4 |
14.27 |
11.06 |
Passer rating against blitz |
5 |
107.3 |
89.9 |
Points on first off. possession |
3 |
48 |
29 |
Average starting field position |
1 |
31.3 |
27.5 |
Points off of takeaways |
5 |
76 |
53 |
Rushes of 4-plus yards |
5 |
46.8% |
42.3% |
Here are the top individual performances and plays for the Chiefs this season:
2015 Individual Single-Game Highs | ||||
Passes attempted |
45 |
Alex Smith |
at Cincinnati |
10/4 |
Passes completed |
31 |
Alex Smith |
at Cincinnati |
10/4 |
Yards passing |
386 |
Alex Smith |
at Cincinnati |
10/4 |
Touchdowns passing |
3 |
Alex Smith |
at Houston |
9/13 |
Receptions |
11 |
Jeremy Maclin |
at Cincinnati |
10/4 |
Touchdowns receiving |
2 |
Travis Kelce |
at Houston |
9/13 |
*Â * |
|
Jeremy Maclin |
at Oakland |
12/6 |
Yards rushing |
125 |
Jamaal Charles |
vs. Denver |
9/17 |
Rushing attempts |
24 |
Charcandrick West |
at Denver |
11/15 |
Touchdowns rushing |
3 |
Jamaal Charles |
at Green Bay |
9/28 |
Yards from scrimmage |
161 |
Charcandrick West |
at Denver |
11/15 |
Combined net yards |
161 |
Charcandrick West |
at Denver |
11/15 |
Interceptions made |
2 |
Marcus Peters |
at Baltimore |
12/20 |
INT return yards |
93 |
Marcus Peters |
at Baltimore |
12/20 |
Sacks |
3.0 |
Dee Ford |
vs. San Diego |
12/13 |
Punts |
7 |
Dustin Colquitt |
at Houston |
9/13 |
*Â * |
|
Dustin Colquitt |
vs. Chicago |
10/11 |
Punting average |
62.0 |
Dustin Colquitt |
at Cincinnati |
10/4 |
Punt returns |
6 |
De'Anthony Thomas |
vs. Detroit |
11/1 |
Punt return yards |
81 |
De'Anthony Thomas |
at Houston |
9/13 |
Kickoff returns |
5 |
Knile Davis |
at Cincinnati |
10/4 |
Kickoff return yards |
106 |
Knile Davis |
vs. Buffalo |
11/29 |
Field goals attempted |
7 |
Cairo Santos |
at Cincinnati |
10/4 |
Field goals made |
7 |
Cairo Santos |
at Cincinnati |
10/4 |
Here are the longest plays for the offense this season:
2015 Kansas City Chiefs Longest Plays | ||||
Run from scrimmage |
52 |
Spencer Ware |
at San Diego |
11/22 |
Touchdown run |
38 |
Charcandrick West |
at Baltimore |
12/20 |
Reception |
80 |
Charcandrick West |
at Denver |
11/15 |
Touchdown reception |
80 |
Charcandrick West |
at Denver |
11/15 |
Interception return |
90 |
Marcus Peters |
at Baltimore |
12/20 |
Punt return |
37 |
De'Anthony Thomas |
vs. Detroit |
11/1 |
Kickoff return |
62 |
Knile Davis |
at Green Bay |
9/28 |
Punt |
62 |
Dustin Colquitt |
at Cincinnati |
10/4 |
Field goal |
53 |
Cairo Santos |
at Baltimore |
12/20 |
Despite improved offensive success in 2015, only one Kansas City Chiefs offensive player was selected to the Pro Bowl in tight end Travis Kelce.
Kelce set career highs in targets (103), receptions (72) and yards receiving (875) in 2015, and he was rewarded this offseason with a contract extension for his efforts.
A look at some of the top offensive photos of the 2015 season.