Chiefs offense revived just in time

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs offense is revitalized, just in time for a playoff run. Quarterback Alex Smith is hitting deep passes and protecting the ball. Running back Kareem Hunt is churning out 100-yard games. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill is outracing opposing defensive backs. This was the offensive recipe for the Chiefs early this year as they raced to a 5-0 record, but it largely disappeared during a midseason slump. Now the Chiefs are back to scoring in bunches, averaging 29 points over the last three weeks, including Saturday’s 30-13 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. “During that stretch, it just felt like it was one thing off,” tight end Travis Kelce said. “Sure enough, we have all manned up and taken it upon ourselves to be more accountable to each other.” How did the Chiefs rediscover their offensive mojo? The decision by coach Andy Reid this month to cede playcalling duties to offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is the most notable change, though Nagy’s style is largely influenced by Reid, and Reid still plays a heavy role in the creating the game plan. “They’re all having input, but certainly Nagy has done a heck of a job,” Smith said Saturday night. Nagy has managed to find ways in recent weeks to feature Hunt, the Chiefs’ standout rookie. Hunt broke 100 rushing yards in four of his first five games but didn’t reach that mark again until last week, with 116 in a win against the Oakland Raiders. Against the Chargers, he rushed for 155 yards and a touchdown and caught seven passes for 71 yards and a TD. He thought he caught another TD pass but it was ruled incomplete upon review when replays appeared to show the tip of the ball touching the turf, though the ball didn’t move. And while Hunt did much of his work against the Chargers between the tackles, Nagy has found new ways to get Hunt freed up in space, whether that’s running pass routes or catching option pitches from Smith. He did the latter Saturday night and watched, stunned, as Smith kept running in front of him and threw a block on a Chargers safety. “I was like, Al, you all right ‘ man, throwing that block? Don’t do that, I got you,’ ” Hunt said. “That is a quarterback that wants to win.” Smith did not throw an interception against the Chargers, and his ball security has been linked to how successful the Chiefs offense has been this season. He did not throw an interception during the Chiefs’ 5-0 start, and only one of his five interceptions this season came in a Chiefs win. The Chiefs can clinch the AFC West with one win in the final two weeks, in games against the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos. “These were a big two weeks, they just get bigger though,” Smith said. “I think all of us realize how things can flip, either way. I think we just want to keep this edge we’re playing with, keep that mentality. I think we have a good thing going, and certainly you just try to keep it going.”