Week 17 – Alex Smith vs. San Diego Chargers
If Michael Buffer ever introduced Alex Smith, he would call him “the checkdown champion of the world!” Unfortunately, Kansas City head coach Andy Reid would rather have Smith throw 45 times than feed Jamaal Charles the ball on a regular basis. That Week 16 doomsday scenario probably banished the Chiefs to watching the playoffs on television, as Smith failed to throw a touchdown pass, although he did total 311 yards through the air and 14 on the ground. With players such as Andrew Luck, Tom Brady, and Tony Romo potentially leaving their games early on Sunday, Smith gets a boost this weekend, but is nothing more than a high-level QB2 who could easily disappoint.
Week 16 – Alex Smith at Pittsburgh Steelers
Alex Smith had one of his best games of the year in Week 15, throwing for 297 and two touchdowns as the Chiefs kept their playoff hopes alive by beating Oakland. Smith also rushed for 17 yards.
It has been well documented that Smith does not have the most upside in the world and also has a limited supporting cast outside of the likes of Jamaal Charles and Travis Kelce, but it would be hard for Alex to fail completely this weekend with Pittsburgh having surrendered 28 touchdowns already in 2014. And the Steelers also allow 252.9 passing yards per game. It would still be highly risky to bank on him as a QB1, but there is nothing wrong with starting him in two-quarterback leagues.
Week 15 – Alex Smith vs. Oakland Raiders
When we last saw Alex Smith, he was orchestrating what might have been the worst hurry-up offense in NFL history as Kansas City was unable to overtake the Arizona Cardinals in a 17-14 loss. Once you get past that, it is worth noting Smith threw for a season-high 293 yards. Earlier in the season against the Raiders, Smith threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns. While Alex offers next to nothing in terms of upside, he ought to offer acceptable production in two-quarterback leagues against Oakland.
Week 14 – Alex Smith at Arizona Cardinals
With a limited supporting cast and his tendency to play quarterback like painfully awkward Rob Lowe, Alex Smith’s already low stature among fantasy owners just keeps getting lower. Smith threw for touchdowns and just 153 yards in a Week 13 loss to division rival Denver despite the fact the Chiefs spent almost all of the game playing from behind. Although Arizona is much weaker against the pass than the run, even extremely desperate two-quarterback league owners should elect not to play Smith this weekend.
Week 13 – Alex Smith vs. Denver Broncos
With the Chiefs falling behind 17-3 on what turned out to be a disaster of a Thursday night in Oakland, Alex Smith dropped back to pass far more often than usual. Smith attempted 36 passes and accumulated 234 yards and two touchdowns.
There has been only one other game this year where Smith has thrown the ball more often. That occurred in Week 2, where he threw the ball 42 times. His opponent that week was none other than the Broncos. A repeat is possible if Denver forces Kansas City into a high-scoring affair, but with limited weapons and his extreme tendency to play things safe, Smith will continue to be one of the lower QB2s on the board.
Week 12 – Alex Smith at Oakland Raiders
Alex Smith has set the bar awfully low this year, but somehow managed a way to slide under it during a Week 11 tilt with Seattle. Thanks to Jamaal Charles, the Chiefs were able to beat the world champions despite Smith throwing for just 108 yards. Unquestionably, he will perform better on Thursday against the winless Raiders, but remains no more than a low-level starter in two-quarterback leagues.
Week 11 – Alex Smith vs. Seattle Seahawks
Long regarded as a better real world than fantasy player, Alex Smith again lived up to his reputation last Sunday. Smith threw for just 177 yards and zero touchdowns, but rushed for 25 yards and the winning touchdown in Kansas City’s 17-13 come-from-behind victory over Buffalo.
Alex’s decisive run came on a read option play and the Chiefs would be wise to use those types of plays more often, as Smith is a capable runner. It would also help his fantasy stock, since his ceiling right now is so low former NBA player Earl Boykins would have to duck down to avoid hitting it. With the Seahawks in town, Smith is lower in the QB2 ranks than usual.
Week 10 – Alex Smith at Buffalo Bills
Alex Smith, the mildest of spices among NFL quarterbacks, threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns last weekend as the Chiefs became the latest team to make mouthy New York Jets coach Rex Ryan look like a buffoon. Buffalo represents a much tougher test, but Smith more often than not throws for 200-250 yards and a touchdown or two. He is the personification of a safe, low-upside QB2.
Week 9 – Alex Smith vs. New York Jets
He may be one of the most boring, vanilla players in the NFL, but Alex Smith is steady. You can pretty much count on him for 200-250 passing yards and 20-40 yards on the ground, with a limited touchdown output.
However, if there was ever a time Smith was capable of more, it might be on Sunday against a New York defense allowing the most touchdown passes in the NFL. With Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan and Jay Cutler on bye, the planets could be aligning for Smith to make an impact. Or he will just do what he usually does, giving owners in two-quarterback leagues a safe harbor while those in most formats will be risking stormy seas if they elect to gamble on Smith.
Week 8 – Alex Smith vs. St. Louis Rams
Alex Smith was his usual, boring, middle-of-the-road QB2 self last Sunday in San Diego, throwing for 221 yards and a touchdown while adding 29 yards on the ground. It’s no secret Smith isn’t the NFL’s best quarterback, but it is hard to pad your stats in a ball-control offense featuring a weak group of wide receivers. With St. Louis lacking an elite pass defense and possibly due for a letdown after upsetting Seattle, Smith should be good for his usual numbers and maybe a little more.
