Dec. 13, 2015; Kansas City, MO; Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) attempts a pass as right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (76) blocks San Diegto Chargers nose tackle Ryan Carrethers (92) at Arrowhead Stadium. (Emily DeShazer/The Topeka Capital-Journal)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Keen observers saw through the steady downpour to notice something different with Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith against the San Diego Chargers.
And it had to do with the equipment on Smith’s hands, marking the first time in his 11-year career he wore gloves.
“It was coming down pretty good pregame and in that first half, I just felt better with it,” Smith said. “I knew we had some of that ball handling stuff in the shot gun and I just felt good with it.
“I’d fooled around with them, I’d never practiced with them, I’d never played in a game with them. I tried them out in pregame and felt OK with it. I felt like I could get a decent grip on the ball so I just went with it.”
For the most part, Smith didn’t appear to be bothered by the new experience.
He played an efficient game, completing 15 of 23 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown against an interception.
The turnover, of course, snapped a streak of consecutive passes without an interception at 312.
But Smith wasn’t about to blame the gloves.
“It might have been worse if I didn’t have them on,” Smith said. “I felt good about it; it was coming down good in that first half. I felt good with the gloves. Nothing is going to be perfect in those kinds of conditions.”
CHASING HISTORY
With Sunday’s 10-3 win, the Chiefs (8-5) became just the second team in NFL history to win at least seven consecutive games after a five-game losing streak in the same season, joining the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals.
The 1970 Bengals are also the only team in NFL history to start 1-5 or worse and make the playoffs in the same season.
The Chiefs, who started the year 1-5 before ripping off the current winning streak, hope to also etch their name in the record books for the postseason.
“We’re trying to make history,” running back Charcandrick West said. “This is a special team and I really believe that – all of us believe that.”
To keep the chase for history intact, West and his teammates must continue building momentum on the road against the Baltimore Ravens (4-9) in Week 15.
And that’s sits just fine for the Chiefs.
“We’re trying to go eight this week,” tight end Travis Kelce said. “Moving on to the next one.”
WILSON TAKES IT TO HOUSE
Second-year wide receiver Albert Wilson scored on a 44-yard touchdown and it wasn’t the original play called in the huddle.
“Alex (Smith) checked to that play at the line from the blitz they put on,” Wilson said.
Wilson said he knew the Chargers were bringing pressure, so he ran the assigned route and it paid off in a big way.
“I had a slant route,” Wilson said, “and I knew if I was going to be able to get inside that it was going to be a good play.”
San Diego safety Eric Weddle admitted to Chargers beat writers after the game Smith had a good recognition of the blitz to go to another play to take advantage of the defense.
“It was a good check by Alex,” Weddle said. “We should have checked out of it, but shoot, they made the play. Good release by 12 (Wilson).”
Wilson would score the lone touchdown of the game and finished the game with four catches for 87 yards, which tied his career-high yards receiving mark.
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Herbie Teope is the lead Chiefs beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com and The Topeka Capital-Journal. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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