NFL Playoffs 2012: Alex Smith, Shockingly, Is Dangerous X-Factor in Postseason

Who would have ever guessed that Alex Smith would be an X-factor with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line?

After throwing for 299 yards and three touchdowns in their 36-32 shootout win over the vaunted Saints, Smith has shocked us all.

Gone is the 2005 No. 1 overall pick that had small hands. Smith has now shown us he’s capable of being a starting quarterback for a Super Bowl-caliber team.

The biggest question mark regarding the 49ers entering the postseason was Smith. After all, he had never thrown for more than 3,000 yards in his first five years, and the 49ers never sniffed the postseason. Fans lost their patience a long time ago entering the 2011 season.

With new head coach Jim Harbaugh in charge, Smith has transformed into a legit threat to beat you with his arm. His stats this season weren’t great when compared to Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, but they were a huge step in the right direction for the 27-year-old. He set career highs in passing yards (3,144), touchdown passes (17) and completion percentage (61.3 percent).

Obviously, having a running back like Frank Gore and a tight end like Vernon Davis help, but Smith is the one that makes everything work. His decision-making skills has helped the 'Niners dominate the field position battle.  

Early in the year, the 49ers had to have a shutdown performance by their defense to beat good teams. A 13-8 win over the Bengals in Week 3 was a good example. Smith managed the game well and didn’t turn the ball over, but he wasn’t the one making game-changing plays.

As the year wore on, his confidence continued to grow. When he threw for 187 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers' No. 1-rated defense on Monday Night Football, you began to realize he wasn’t the same player.

He is now a legit NFL quarterback capable of winning a championship. Winning a shootout against the second-rated offense by throwing and running for two touchdowns when his team had to have them will do that for a player.  

Smith is one more strong performance from reaching the Super Bowl, while players like Drew Brees, Michael Vick and Ben Roethlisberger watch on in jealousy.

Smith has the ability to carry his team to the Super Bowl by continuing to make spectacular decisions with the ball and coming through in the fourth quarter. What a difference a year makes.