NFL Preview - Kansas City (0-2) at Miami (1-1) (ET)

By Lyle Fitzsimmons, Contributing NFL Editor

(SportsNetwork.com) - Alex Smith has never been the NFL's Mr. Popularity, even when his on-field performances far outweighed his critics' complaints.

So when he signed a four-year contract extension worth $68 million in the offseason, it only stood to reason that those naysayers would be at the ready at the first sign of a falter - which he's gone ahead and provided through two winless weeks thus far for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The former No. 1 overall draft pick is the league's lowest-rated passer at 63.6 and failed to connect on a touchdown pass last week against Denver - in a seven-point road loss - even though the Chiefs were inside the Broncos' 35- yard line six times. And to cap it off, he misfired on a game-clinching throw from the 2-yard line with 18 seconds remaining.

Add in the reality that running back Jamaal Charles is questionable for this week, and perhaps beyond, thanks to an ankle injury, and it's hardly surprising that Smith is answering the tough questions already.

"It's not where you hoped to be two weeks ago," he said. "It's a long season, though. The mentality is let's win this week, put some things together and you never know."

If anyone can commiserate with Smith these days, it's Miami's Ryan Tannehill.

The third-year passer is four slots behind the 30th-ranked Smith in yards per pass attempt - 5.17 - and is 29th in the league in passer rating at 76.1.

Tannehill was sacked four times in a loss at Buffalo last week, which effectively took the shine off the season-opening win over visiting New England in Week 1.

"I haven't been at my best," he said. "It has got to change, and it has got to change fast. I look forward to going out Sunday and changing it."

Center Mike Pouncey is on the mend from offseason hip surgery and could arrive Sunday in time to stabilize what's been a porous line through two weeks, though it's not been determined whether Pouncey will actually start or just be on hand to spell substitute starter Samson Satele as needed.

His matchup with the Kansas City defense hinges to some extent, too, on the health of Chiefs safety Eric Berry, who is iffy with a sprained ankle. Cornerback Ron Parker filled in for Berry immediately after the injury and would presumably do it again if Berry is indeed unable to go or significantly limited.

"We have a few injuries but we don't slow down on that," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "Football is a joint effort. It's a team sport. Everyone's got to step up and do their job just a little bit better, coaches included."

Charles left with a high ankle sprain in the first quarter of the Denver game and was spelled by second-year man Knile Davis, who racked up 82 yards on 23 carries and scored twice, in addition to seven catches for 29 more yards.

"When I go in, I know my job has been all week to pay attention to what Jamaal does," Davis said. "I've been doing good film study, watching him and what he does so if unfortunately he went down I would be able to step in and help out."

Miami felt a similar pain when offseason acquisition Knowshon Moreno dislocated an elbow on his one and only carry in the loss to the Bills. He'd been a huge part of the defeat of New England seven days earlier while running for 134 yards, but is expected to miss at least four weeks.

Lamar Miller left the stadium in an ankle boot and put the No. 2 running back position in some doubt early in the week, but he's since participated in practice. Miller was battling with a dinged-up Moreno through training camp for the top role, and has gained 105 yards on 22 carries thus far.

Daniel Thomas was re-signed this week after being released in August. The other two running backs on the roster are Damien Williams and Orleans Darkva, both undrafted rookies.

"It hurts because No. 1, (Moreno is) a productive player and has proven that," offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said. "No. 2, anyone who watches the game can see the emotion Knowshon plays with."

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Hey, Don't I Know You?

Miami's Branden Albert will look across from his offensive line position and see familiar faces, considering he was with the Chiefs before signing with the Dolphins as a free agent in the offseason. His first encounter with ex-allies should bring a one-on-one match with linebacker Tamba Hali. Hali has one sack through two games in 2014, while Albert has allowed a half-sack in two games with his new team.

An Uneasy Reintroduction

Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe missed the season-opener while serving a one- game suspension and returned last week against a Denver secondary replete with names like Aqib Talib and Chris Harris. He caught three balls for 40 yards against the Broncos and lines up opposite Miami newcomer Cortland Finnegan this week. If Charles is indeed unable to play to positive effect, Bowe will be a needed tool.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

It's a similar look for both teams heading into Week 3 - both have injuries to key producers and both are coming off losses in which quarterback play was on a level less than stellar.

The Dolphins return home this week, which should help, and they could be closer to where they need to be given the positive results in Week 1. Expect Tannehill to spread things around and the defense to help him out as well.

Sports Network predicted outcome: Dolphins 24, Chiefs 14