Kansas City Chiefs: Five Reasons For Loss To Broncos

Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Negative #2: Sean Smith Sitting On The Bench

We’re barking up the wrong tree if cornerback Jamell Fleming is taking the heat here.

This one is on cornerback Sean Smith and his three-game suspension. Smith is the one who left Fleming out there on an island.

Fleming is a journeyman, third-round cornerback. He’s played in 32 games in four years since being drafted. The Chiefs signed him off the Baltimore Ravens practice squad in 2014.

He was selling out trying to cover wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas, two upper-tier receivers in the NFL. And Peyton Manning doesn’t let you just hide your fourth cornerback for an entire game.

You can hide Fleming against Brian Hoyer, but Manning will find your weakest match-up and make his money.

Fleming got worn out, no doubt, and Pro Football Focus confirmed it. Fleming finished with -6.0 grade:

But Sean Smith is who really hurt the Chiefs Thursday night.

How about corner Marcus Peters, though? The rookie looks seasoned through two weeks. An interception on your first NFL snap? Check. Pick-six Peyton Manning? Check.

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