The game this coming Sunday between the San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs just got a little more interesting as its now being reported that Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith will miss the game with a lacerated spleen.
Chase Daniel will start in Smith’s place against the Chargers, who can clinch a playoff berth with a victory. Should the Chiefs beat the Chargers, however, the Baltimore Ravens would clinch the final AFC playoff spot by beating or tying the Cleveland Browns Sunday.
if you remember back to last season, the Steelers needed the Chiefs to beat the Chargers in Week 17 in order for them to make the playoffs. That of course didn’t happen as the Chargers won in overtime after Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop missed a 41-yard field goal with four seconds left in regulation.
Smith suffered the lacerated spleen Sunday in the 20-12 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and many are speculating that it happened on the hit from linebacker Jason Worilds early in the third quarter. On that play, which you can see below, Smith just missed connecting with wide receiver Albert Wilson. Smith probably had to get rid of the ball a little sooner than he wanted with Worilds bearing down on him.
The Chiefs can still make the playoffs by beating the Chargers Sunday, but they’ll need the Ravens and Houston Texans to both lose their Week 17 games.
Should the Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday night, they’ll likely host either the Chargers, Ravens, Chiefs or Texans in one of two AFC Wild Card games.
