The Tennessee Titans will head to Kansas City for a Sunday Night matchup featuring two teams atop their respective divisions. For the Titans, this is the biggest game since being easily handled by the Buffalo Bills in a Monday night loss back in week 2. Here are 3 considerations to preview this important game between the Titans and Chiefs.
Can The Titans Win?
As we’ve seen so far this NFL season, anything can happen regardless of expectations. That being said, the last time these two teams met up, the Titans handed the Chiefs a 27-3 loss. These teams have changed rosters some in the year since that game, but their philosophies largely remain the same. A big difference here is this game is in Kansas City at night. It’s tough enough to try and stop Patrick Mahomes, but even harder when the Kansas City faithful will be in full throat, cheering for their beloved team. Of the last 4 games these teams have played, Tennessee has won 3. Only 1 of those wins was in Kansas City, a close 22-21 affair in the 2018 AFC Wild Card Game.
To win this one, the Titans are well suited for their ball control game which is what they will have to do in order to keep Mahomes off the field. Derrick Henry has reestablished himself as one of (if not the most) powerful and deadly runners in the game. Last week, the Titans unleashed him on the lowly Texans, rushing for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns. He is riding a 4-game streak with over 100 rushing yards and will look to continue this trend against a fairly stingy Chiefs defense (5th in fewest yards allowed). The Chiefs have also only allowed 3 rushing TD’s so far this season. (Pro Football Reference)
Will Tannehill Start?
Last week, veteran QB Ryan Tannehill did not play due to an ankle injury. Rookie QB Malik Willis stepped in, and despite the win, did not prove much with his time at the helm. He completed 6 passes on 10 attempts for 55 yards and an interception. It is fair to say the Titan’s coaching staff weren’t going to ask him to do much as his 4.4 yards per pass attempt indicates. According to Jim Wyatt via Twitter, Tannehill was limited in practice on Wednesday and did not practice on Thursday. He also mentioned Willis getting more snaps as a result. This should be a source of concern if Tannehill cannot play.
Final Consideration
For the Titans to win this tough matchup, their solid defense will have to make opportunities for the offense. Even if Tannehill does play, the Titans simply do not attack opponents down the field with long, aggressive throws. So it will be up to the defense to create turnovers and not give up big plays. Additionally, Derrick Henry and that offensive line will have to once again successfully push the ball down the field and control the clock.