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Thread: ***Chiefs vs Titans Official Game Day Thread***

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    Default ***Chiefs vs Titans Official Game Day Thread***

    The Playoffs!


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    The Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)(6-2 @ Home)



    vs.

    The Tennessee
    Titans (9-7)(3-5 away)



    Sunday, January 6, 3:20pm CT
    at
    Arrowhead Stadium

    Kansas City, Missouri



    Television coverage:


    Radio Coverage:
    Kansas City


    Lawrence/Topeka:


    Manhattan, KS:


    St. Louis


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    Before watching any streams please READ THIS important message.

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    Stats & Stuff

    Weather forecast:
    27 degrees farenheit. Clear. 9 mph EsE winds.

    Line: Chiefs -8, Over/Under: 44.5

    Against the Spread:
    Record ATS WC-17.png

    Last 10 Games Head-2-Head:
    last 10 h2h week WC-17.png

    OddsShark Super Computer Prediction:
    Chiefs 25.6
    Titans 17.3


    Regular Season Results:
    Thursday
    Sep. 7
    at New England Patriots 8:30pm ET
    NBC
    Won 42-27
    Sunday
    Sep. 17
    Philadelphia Eagles 1:00pm ET
    FOX
    Won 27-20
    Sunday
    Sep. 24
    at Los Angeles Chargers 4:25pm ET
    CBS
    Won 24-10
    Monday
    Oct. 2
    Washington Redskins 8:30pm ET
    ESPN
    Won 29-20
    Sunday
    Oct. 8
    at Houston Texans 8:30pm ET
    NBC
    Won 42-34
    Sunday
    Oct. 15
    Pittsburgh Steelers
    Arrowhea
    4:25pm ET
    CBS
    Lost 19-13
    Thursday
    Oct. 19
    at Oakland Raiders 8:25pm ET
    CBS/NFLN
    Lost 31-30
    Monday
    Oct. 30
    Denver Broncos 8:30pm ET
    ESPN
    Won 29-19
    Sunday
    Nov. 5
    at Dallas Cowboys 4:25pm ET
    CBS
    Lost 28-17
    Sunday
    Nov. 12
    BYE


    Sunday
    Nov. 19
    at New York Giants 1:00pm ET
    CBS
    Lost 12-9 (OT)
    Sunday
    Nov. 26
    Buffalo Bills 1:00pm ET
    CBS
    Lost 16-10
    Sunday
    Dec. 3
    at New York Jets 1:00pm ET
    CBS
    Lost 38-31
    Sunday
    Dec. 10
    Oakland Raiders 1:00pm ET
    CBS
    Won 26-15
    Saturday
    Dec. 16
    Los Angeles Chargers 8:25pm ET
    NFLN
    Won 30-13
    Sunday
    Dec. 24
    Miami Dolphins 1:00pm ET
    CBS
    Won 29-13
    Sunday
    Dec. 31
    at Denver Broncos 4:25pm ET
    CBS
    Won 27-24
    AFC Playoffs - Wild-Card Round
    Saturday
    Jan. 6
    Tennessee Titans 4:35pm ET
    ESPN/ABC
    Buy
    Tickets

    Sunday
    Sep. 10
    Oakland Raiders 1:00pm ET
    CBS
    Lost 26-16
    Sunday
    Sep. 17
    at Jacksonville Jaguars 1:00pm ET
    CBS
    Won 37-16
    Sunday
    Sep. 24
    Seattle Seahawks 4:05pm ET
    FOX
    Won 33-27
    Sunday
    Oct. 1
    at Houston Texans 1:00pm ET
    CBS
    Lost 57-14
    Sunday
    Oct. 8
    at Miami Dolphins 1:00pm ET
    CBS
    Lost 16-10
    Monday
    Oct. 16
    Indianapolis Colts 8:30pm ET
    ESPN
    Won 36-22
    Sunday
    Oct. 22
    at Cleveland Browns 1:00pm ET
    CBS
    Won 12-9 (OT)
    Sunday
    Oct. 29
    BYE


    Sunday
    Nov. 5
    Baltimore Ravens 1:00pm ET
    CBS
    Won 23-20
    Sunday
    Nov. 12
    Cincinnati Bengals 1:00pm ET
    FOX
    Won 24-20
    Thursday
    Nov. 16
    at Pittsburgh Steelers 8:25pm ET
    NBC/NFLN
    Lost 40-17
    Sunday
    Nov. 26
    at Indianapolis Colts 1:00pm ET
    FOX
    Won 20-16
    Sunday
    Dec. 3
    Houston Texans 1:00pm ET
    CBS
    Won 24-13
    Sunday
    Dec. 10
    at Arizona Cardinals 4:05pm ET
    CBS
    Lost 12-7
    Sunday
    Dec. 17
    at San Francisco 49ers 4:25pm ET
    CBS
    Lost 25-23
    Sunday
    Dec. 24
    Los Angeles Rams 1:00pm ET
    FOX
    Lost 27-23
    Sunday
    Dec. 31
    Jacksonville Jaguars 4:25pm ET
    CBS
    Won 15-10
    AFC Playoffs - Wild-Card Round
    Saturday
    Jan. 6
    at Kansas City Chiefs 4:35pm ET
    ESPN/ABC
    Buy
    Tickets
    Notable Quotables:
    Chiefs:

    “[I]t should be a great atmosphere. Look forward to getting all of our fans out there for the kickoff and I know those tailgates are sweet, but let’s get inside. Get there early then get inside and let’s roll. It’s time to go.”
    --Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid

    Titans:

    “It's a clean slate right now for all the teams that are in. I don't think anything in the past has anything to do with what's going to happen this weekend for us.”
    --Titans Head Coach Mike Mularkey
    Last edited by TopekaRoy; 01-06-2018 at 04:14 AM.
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    Injury Report:


    Rakeem Nunez-Roches DE Ankle Did Not Participate In Practice Doubtful
    Tamba Hali LB Knee Did Not Participate In Practice Questionable
    Jarvis Jenkins DE Knee Full Participation in Practice Questionable
    Albert Wilson WR Hamstring Full Participation in Practice Questionable

    DeMarco Murray RB Knee Did Not Participate In Practice Out
    Quinton Spain G Back Did Not Participate In Practice Questionable
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    Depth Charts:

    Chiefs
    OFFENCE: DEFENSE:

    Titans
    OFFENCE:
    DEFENSE:
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    More Stats & More Stuff
    Team Leaders:
    Chiefs Stats Leaders WC-17.jpg

    Titans stats leaders WC-17.jpg

    Matchup:
    Matchup Week WC-17.jpg

    Expert's Picks:
    Expert Picks week WC-17.jpg

    Prisco's Pick:
    The Titans didn't exactly power into the playoffs,
    but they beat the Jaguars this past Sunday to get
    into the party. They struggled on offense for much
    of the second half of the season, but they get an
    opponent in the Chiefs that have struggled against
    the run, ranking 23rd in rushing yards per attempt
    and 29 in passing yards per play. Look for the Titans
    to pound the football at the middle of that Chiefs
    defense and have some success doing so.

    Chiefs 23
    Titans 21
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    Chiefs vs. Titans: Game Preview
    From Chiefs.com

    Posted January 5, 2018

    Matt McMullen
    Chiefs Reporter
    Chiefs.com@KCChiefs_Matt

    The Chiefs kick off the postseason this Saturday, presented by Microsoft



    Three games.

    That’s all that stands between the Kansas City Chiefs and a trip to Super Bowl LII this February.

    It’s the ultimate goal for a team that’s been knocking at the door for the past three seasons, and the first step takes place this Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium.

    Standing in the way are the Tennessee Titans, who earned the fifth seed this postseason after a second-place finish in the AFC South.

    It will mark a second-straight season that the Chiefs have hosted a playoff game at Arrowhead, though the Chiefs will be looking to shake some perpetual bad luck on their home turf in the postseason.

    Kansas City hasn’t won a playoff game at home since January 8, 1994, but they can put all of that in the rear view mirror with a win on Saturday.

    Though the Titans certainly won’t make it easy.

    Tennessee is led by quarterback Marcus Mariota, who is in his third year in the league after the Titans made him the second overall pick in the 2015 Draft.

    Mariota seemed to take a step back this season despite making strides in his initial two campaigns, tossing 15 interceptions to just 13 touchdowns. His passer rating – which sat above 90.0 in each of his first two years – ranked 27th in the league at 79.3.

    But while the numbers don’t jump off the page, Mariota still presents problems for a defense – especially when a play breaks down and he has a chance to show off his legs.

    “Marcus has great speed, not good, but great speed,” said Defensive Coordinator Bob Sutton. “You’re dealing with a guy who, every time he touches the ball, it’s going to be difficult to catch him. That’s the kind of speed this guy has. He has the ability to get out of trouble in the pocket and extend plays. He’s playing pretty good football and he’s a big time playmaker.”

    Mariota indeed managed to play his best football when it mattered most last week, as the Titans defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in a must-win game. He completed 12 of 21 passes for 134 yards and score while rushing for another 60 yards on the ground.



    It was an example of what Mariota is capable of despite his inconsistent play this season, and something the Chiefs will need to be ready for on Saturday.

    Also a threat on the ground is second-year tailback Derrick Henry, who will assume the bulk of the carries in Tennessee’s backfield with starter DeMarco Murray already ruled out with a knee injury.

    Henry actually led the Titans in rushing this season despite starting just twice, averaging 4.7 yards per carry through the campaign’s first 15 games. Murray’s injury opened the door for Henry to take over the lead role in Tennessee’s season-finale against Jacksonville, but he struggled mightily.

    The former Heisman Trophy winner ran the ball 28 times but picked up just 51 yards – averaging 1.8 yards per attempt.

    It was an underwhelming performance in an important game, but Henry still has the ability to be a force on the ground. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound tailback was often effective while splitting touches with Murray this year, and he’ll surely have a chance to show what he can do on Saturday.

    “He won the Heisman for a reason in college,” said linebacker Reggie Ragland, a former teammate of Henry’s at Alabama. “He’s a strong guy and he’s got the speed to outrun corners and safeties, so we have to do a good job of corralling him up the field.”



    Ragland is part of a Chiefs’ defensive unit that’s played its best football in recent weeks.

    Kansas City allowed just 16.3 points per game over the season’s final four games, and that includes a Week 17 matchup with Denver in which many starters didn’t see the field.

    The key in each of those games was the ability to create turnovers, as the Chiefs’ 12 takeaways ranked second in the league over that span.

    Turnovers are often the difference between winning and losing, and it’s an area where the Chiefs and Titans couldn’t be more different.

    Kansas City posted the second-best turnover margin in the league this year at plus-15, meaning the Chiefs forced 15 more turnovers than they committed themselves. The Titans, conversely, finished the season with a minus-4 margin – the worst mark of any team to finish with a winning record this year.

    The Titans went on to allow 94 points off those turnovers, the third-most of any team in football.

    That presents an intriguing opportunity for Kansas City’s offense, which seemed to rediscover its early-season success in recent weeks.

    The Chiefs averaged 29 points per game from Week 13 through Week 16, wrapping up a second-straight division title and a much-deserved week off for the starters in the season finale against Denver.

    Quarterback Alex Smith posted a 105.3 passer rating in those games, tossing seven touchdowns with just one pick. It completed what was a career-season for the veteran signal caller, as he established career-highs in touchdowns (26) and passing yards (4,402).



    In order to continue that success on Saturday, Smith will need to elude one of the better pass rushes in the NFL.

    Tennessee tallied 43 sacks on the season – its most since 2008 – and it’s been a true team effort as the Titans have four different players with five or more sacks.

    “They mix things up. They play a lot of games up front and they’re very active,” said Head Coach Andy Reid. “They’re not the biggest guys, but they’re fast, quick and have great timing.”

    Those players include linebackers Derrick Morgan (7.5 sacks), Brian Orakpo (7.0 sacks) and Wesley Woodyard (5.0 sacks), but perhaps the most dangerous in the bunch is defensive tackle Jurrell Casey.

    RELATED: Chiefs vs. Titans: Five Things to Watch

    Casey has six sacks this year and has been one of the more disruptive tackles in the league this season with 12 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

    “He’s crafty and he likes to get after the quarterback,” said Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy. “He has a lot of good moves on the inside, so our guys on the interior have to be focused on that. He’s a good player, a Pro Bowl player, that plays hard. His motor is always going, so we have to know where he’s at.”

    One way to keep that pass rush honest is by getting tailback Kareem Hunt going early.

    Hunt finished his rookie season by taking home the rushing title, something only two rookies have accomplished in the last two decades, but he’ll have his work cut out for him against a stout Tennessee run defense.

    The Titans allowed just 3.57 yards per carry this season, the fourth-best mark in the league.

    Hunt’s ability to find success could play a big role on Saturday as the Chiefs try to return to the Divisional Round of the postseason for a third straight year.

    The Chiefs have a chance to do something special this postseason, and it all starts this weekend at Arrowhead.
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    Game Preview from ESPN.com

    Chiefs hosts down-to-wire Titans in wild-card game

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The two clubs opening the wild card playoff round at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday afternoon enter from opposite perspectives.

    The Chiefs clinched their second straight AFC West championship two weeks ago and coasted to the finish. The Tennessee Titans fought to the final minute of the season in breaking a three-game skid to clinch their first playoff berth since 2008.

    "We had a number of chances to get ourselves in, but unfortunately we had to wait until the last one to do it," Titans coach Mike Mularkey said. "I don't know if that made it better, but it's a good feeling."

    The Titans and Chiefs have some familiarity with one another. Tennessee visited Kansas City in Week 15 of the 2016 season, overcoming a 17-7 fourth-quarter deficit in rallying for a 19-17 win.

    Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said his offense and quarterback Alex Smith missed too many opportunities in that game.

    "We started out fast and then they creeped back, they got us there at the end," Nagy said. "We had some opportunities to make some plays, we didn't. We've all watched that tape, we understand what wrong and how to try to fix it."

    Tennessee left an impression on Kansas City head coach Andy Reid as an active bunch on both sides of the football with good speed, including with the mobile Marcus Mariota at quarterback.

    "He's a real smart kid," Reid said. "Looks like he's picked it up well. He's got a pretty good feel for the pass game. He's got good players around him too."

    The Chiefs remain wary of the scrambling ability of Mariota and his ability to make plays outside the pocket. Mariota finished the regular season with just 13 touchdown passes versus 15 interceptions.

    "I don't have to harp on that with him, he knows we've got to do a better job of taking care of the football, especially this time of year," Mularkey said.

    Kansas City's defense thrives on turnovers, which have proved highly predictive of the team's success this season. The defense generated 24 turnovers during the team's 10 wins but took the ball away just twice in six loses.

    Mularkey said that's indicative of Kansas City's complementary style in all three phases.

    "They do a great job of taking care of the football and they do a great job of taking it away," Mularkey said. "Well coached, a lot of the same guys have been there a long time in the same schemes, they execute it very well."

    The Chiefs enter the game with a series of injuries taking a hard on their special teams. The team lost kick returners Akeem Hunt and De'Anthony Thomas to injuries in the season finale for the remainder of the season, leaving them with only wide receiver Tyreek Hill with significant experience returning kickoffs. But the team has been reluctant to expose a key offensive weapon to the kick return game.

    The team is also battling injuries along the defensive line, with Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Jarvis Jenkins missing practice time this week. That could prove pivotal in a game in which the Chiefs hope to slow down the Titans' rushing attack and contain Mariota in the pocket.

    Running back DeMarco Murray has been ruled out with an MCL tear, leaving Derrick Henry as the team's lead back against the Chiefs. Starting cornerback Logan Ryan and Da'Norris Searcy both missed practice Wednesday with an illness.

    While the Chiefs' veteran roster has four playoff appearances in four seasons under Reid, this marks the first appearance for most of the Titans' players as well as the first for Mularkey in six seasons as a head coach. He doesn't believe postseason experience makes much of a difference in matchup such as this.

    "I don't think so," Mularkey said. "Everything gets amped up and that won't be any different for this one. I don't think there's any advantage by having it."

    Kansas City may have the experience but they also history working against them. The Chiefs haven't won a playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium in 24 years. Smith wouldn't mind seeing that streak come to an end.

    "It would be nice to break that but you can't add any extra motivation once you get to this stage," Smith said. "It is tough to add any more motivation with historic streaks or things like that. We would love for that to be a byproduct of hard work and getting a win."
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    Chiefs-Titans scouting report, key players to watch, and a prediction
    From The Kansas City Star


    Red Zone


    The Chiefs and NFL by beat writer Terez Paylor

    JANUARY 05, 2018 04:51 PM


    The scheme

    Head coach: Mike Mularkey
    (34-46) is in his second year as the Titans’ head coach and eighth as an NFL head coach. Mularkey, 56, is a former tight end at Florida who was drafted in the ninth round by the 49ers in 1983 and ended up playing nine years with the Vikings and Steelers. When Mularkey retired, he spent two years as the offensive and defensive line coach for Concordia University (1993-94) before becoming the Buccaneers’ tight ends coach in 1994. He joined the Steelers in the same capacity in 1996 and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2001, where he fared well enough to become the Bills’ head coach in 2004. After a two-year stint in which he went 14-18, Mularkey resigned due to a disagreement with the front office about the direction of the franchise. Mularkey then joined the Dolphins as offensive coordinator in 2006, served in the same role with the Falcons from 2008 to 2011 and spent a year as the Jaguars’ head coach (2012) before joining the Titans as their tight ends coach in 2014. He was promoted to assistant head coach in 2015 and eventually head coach the same year, when Ken Whisenhunt was relieved of his duties. Mularkey, who is 20-21 as the Titans’ head coach, has an old-school approach: He believes in pairing a physical, run-heavy offense with a stout, run-stopping defense.

    Offense: Terry Robiske, 63, is in his second year as the Titans’ offensive coordinator. A former running back at Louisiana State, Robiske was an eighth-round pick of the Raiders in 1977. He spent five years with the Raiders and Dolphins before joining the Raiders’ coaching staff as a special teams assistant in 1982. He also coached the running backs and tight ends before he was promoted to offensive coordinator in 1989. He later joining Washington as a receivers coach in 1994 and was promoted to passing game coordinator in 1999. After a brief stint as Washington’s interim head coach the next year, he joined the Browns in 2001 and served in multiple roles, including receivers coach and offensive coordinator. Stints with the Dolphins (2007) and Falcons (2008-2015) as a receivers coach followed. In 2016, he was hired by Mularkey for his current position.

    Offensive stats: Tennessee ranks 23rd in total offense (314.0 yards per game), 29th in passing offense (199.4 ypg) and 15th in rushing offense (114.6 ypg). Tennessee is passing the ball 54.5 percent of the time (27th in the league) and has surrendered 35 sacks, tied for the 13th fewest in the league. They use play-action 21 percent of the time, which is tied for the 11th most in the league (according to Football Outsiders) and average 9.6 yards per play, which is the second-highest in the league.

    Defense: Dick LeBeau, 80, is a legendary defensive coordinator who is known for creating the zone blitz and is in his third year running the Titans’ defense. A former halfback and cornerback at Ohio State, LeBeau — who was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010 — was drafted in the fifth round in 1959 by the Browns but ended up playing 14 seasons with the Lions. When his playing career came to a close, LeBeau became the Eagles’ special teams coach in 1973, then the Packers’ defensive backs coach in 1976. He served in the same role with the Bengals in 1980 before he was promoted to defensive coordinator in 1984. In 1992, he joined the Steelers as a defensive backs coach following the firing of Bengals coach Sam Wyche. He was promoted to defensive coordinator in 1995 and remained there until 2000, when he was hired as the Bengals’ head coach. After going 12-33 in three seasons, he spent a year as the Bills’ head coach before rejoining the Steelers as defensive coordinator in 2004. He spent 11 years that capacity before he re-signed and joined the Titans as an assistant head coach. He was named defensive coordinator in January 2016.

    Defensive stats: Tennessee runs a 3-4 defense that ranks 13th in the league in total defense (328.0 yards per game), 25th in pass defense (239.2 ypg) and fifth in sacks (43). Their pressure rate of 33.6 percent ranks seventh in the league, according to Football Outsiders. The Titans’ run defense ranks fourth in the league (88.8 ypg) and is also tied for third with nine forced fumbles. Using play-action against a blitz-happy team like this is futile, which explains why opponents have only used it 17 percent of time, tied for the second-least in the NFL (according to Football Outsiders). These guys tackle, too; their broken-tackle percentage (9.0 percent) is tied for the fifth-lowest in the league.

    Special teams: Steve Hoffman, 59, is in his second year as the Titans’ special teams coach. Hoffman, a former quarterback/running back/receiver/kicker and punter at Dickinson College, punted for the Washington Federals of the USFL in 1983. He was an assistant special teams coach at the University of Miami from 1985-87 before joining the Cowboys as a special teams coach with offensive and defensive quality-control duties in 1989. He remained in that role until 2004, when he took a year off from full-time coaching. He joined the Falcons as an assistant special teams coach in 2006, a position he also held in Miami from 2007 to 2008, until he became the Chiefs’ special teams coach under Todd Haley from 2009-11. He then coached the Raiders’ special teams in 2012 before he was hired to be the Titans’ assistant special teams coordinator in 2013. In 2016, Mularkey promoted him to his current position.

    Special teams stats: Titans kicker Ryan Succop, the former Chief, has made 35 of 42 field-goal attempts, and his 83 percent conversion rate is tied for 18th in the league. Punter Brett Kern is a Pro Bowler who has dropped 28 of his 75 punts inside the 20, tied for 15th in the league. The Titans rank 13th in kickoff returns (22.1 yards per return) and 16th in punt returns (8.5 ypr). They also rank 27th in kick-return coverage (23.4 ypr) and 15th in punt-return coverage (7.0 ypr).

    Four keys to a Chiefs victory

    1. Alex has to let it rip


    Specifically, through the air. Now, that’s not to say the Chiefs shouldn’t try to run the ball against the Titans’ fourth-ranked run defense; they should. And let’s not forget, the last time these two teams met (a 19-17 Titans win in December 2016), the Chiefs had some success running the counter, including a 68-yard touchdown run by Tyreek Hill. But the Titans are uniquely dedicated to stopping the run, so much so they’ve allowed the fewest runs over 20 yards (three) in the NFL. So opponents have wisely opted to target a cornerback group that hasn’t consistently made teams pay for doing so. The Titans have yielded 231 first downs through the air, 20 more than the next-closest team, but they don’t give up many big plays. That means quarterback Alex Smith is going to have to beat the Titans through the air, and in small, patient chunks. A big reason the Chiefs lost six of seven games in the middle of the season was their inability to do just that, as teams played lots of zone and forced them to go the length of the field (which they couldn’t consistently do). If the Chiefs struggle in this area Saturday, the Titans could easily win this game, which could very well spell the end of Smith’s tenure in Kansas City. The protection will also need to be on point, as the Titans like to bring pressure from everywhere on third down.

    2. Load up against the run

    The Titans’ 18 rushing scores are tied with Dallas and Jacksonville for the second-most in the league. Meanwhile, their total 157 first downs through the air is tied for fourth-fewest in the league. They don’t generate many explosive plays that way and Titans quarterbacks have accounted for a 77.1 passer rating, the lowest in the league. That said, what the Titans will try to do Saturday — pound the rock — will come as absolutely no so surprise to anyone. “They’ve got a great mindset to run the ball, which comes from Coach Mularkey,” defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said. “He’s grew up in that system in Pittsburgh as a player. It’s pretty obvious what they want to do to you and how they want to do it.” The last time these teams met, the Titans relentlessly attacked rookie inside linebacker D.J. Alexander, who was benched the next week. The Chiefs have upgraded their inside linebackers since then, and Reggie Ragland and veteran Derrick Johnson have developed into a solid run-stopping duo. Still, they and the rest of the Chiefs’ front seven will absolutely have their hands full with a big, physical offense that loves to go two tights and run the ball between the tackles. The Chiefs might be wise to sneak an extra defender in the box and make quarterback Marcus Mariota, who has more interceptions than touchdowns this year, prove he can beat them through the air.

    3. Wrap up and stay disciplined

    The Titans’ play-action game is deadly. They use it 21 percent of the time, which is about the middle of the pack. But they’re averaging 9.6 yards per play with it, which is the second-best mark in the league. Mariota’s athleticism is a boon, too, as he’s rushed for 312 yards and five touchdowns this season. That said, the Chiefs’ linebackers and defensive backs will need to stay disciplined in coverage and carry out their assignments. This could be difficult to do, however, if they don’t wrap up as a unit when the Titans actually do run the ball. Tennessee’s skill players have forced a missed tackle on 12 percent of their offensive snaps, the fifth-most in the league, so the Chiefs’ first- and second-level defenders better buckle their chinstraps. Titans star running back DeMarco Murray is banged up, which is a lucky break, but his backup, Derrick Henry, is 6 foot 3 and 247 pounds and has actually broken more tackles (45) than Murray has this season (40) on 36 fewer touches. The best way to handle Henry is to create penetration along the defensive line and prevent him from getting a head of steam. Despite his size, Henry runs a 4.54 40-yard dash and can run away from defenses once he breaks into the clear, as he did a week ago on a 66-yard screen that went for a touchdown. This leads him to dance around more than he should, but he’ll be ticked off and motivated to play well following a 51-yard performance against Jacksonville in Week 17 that he dubbed as “soft.” “He’s a big man and he breaks a lot of tackles,” Sutton said. “He’s a really good football player.”

    4. Be mentally tough

    The Titans aspire to play football the way teams used to 20 years ago. They only average 60.9 plays per game, the fourth-fewest in the league, but they want to punish you on every snap. That said, there is danger here, especially if the Chiefs beat themselves. The way the Chiefs can avoid that is by being mentally tough in multiple areas. That means not beating themselves with penalties, because Tennessee — which has been flagged the second-fewest times in the league this season — certainly won’t. That means not pouting or getting frustrated on defense when Tennessee converts a third-down run (which it almost certainly will do). And that means remaining positive on offense when the Titans’ defensive coordinator dials up frustrating zone blitzes that take away the deep pass and force Smith to win with a seemingly never-ending string of quick passes and hot reads. In short, if the Chiefs get down on themselves in any way and start thinking “Oh no, not again,” the seemingly overmatched Titans will have a pathway to victory.

    Four Titans to watch

    No. 8, QB Marcus Mariota, 6-4, 222, 24 years old, 6-4, 222


    Ranked No. 50 on the NFL’s top-100 list for 2017. Team captain. Completed 281 of 453 passes (62.0 percent) for 3,232 yards, 13 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Has fumbled twice and owns a 79.3 passer rating. Has rushed 60 times for 312 yards and five touchdowns. Intelligent player with a nice combination of size, athleticism and arm talent. Has taken a step back this year, statistically, following a breakout 2016 campaign in which he threw 26 touchdowns and only nine interceptions and posted a 95.6 passer rating. Has been battling an assortment of injuries, including to his hamstring, ankle and knee, that have generally affected his athleticism and overall accuracy. But he started to look more like himself in the Titans’ win over Jacksonville last week. Has struggled to connect on deep-to-intermediate balls to his left. “This guy, I think, is kind of an underrated quarterback because everybody gets caught up in his athleticism, which is off the charts,” Sutton said.

    No. 82, TE Delanie Walker, 33 years old, 6-2, 248, 12th season

    Played at Central Missouri. Ranked No. 75 on the NFL’s top-100 list for 2017. Team captain. Caught 65 passes for 800 yards and seven touchdowns last season, when he was named to the Pro Bowl for the second straight year. Followed that up by catching 74 passes for 807 yards and three touchdowns this season. Mariota’s security blanket. Functions as an “H-back” or “move” tight end and occasionally attaches to the line of scrimmage as an inline tight end. Is not overly explosive but consistently wins thanks to his crafty route-running and ability to change gears. Poses a problem on third down and possesses the ball skills and focus to make contested catches. Gives the Titans a solid run-blocker from the slot, matching their run-first identity. Will also split out wide at times. Can overwhelm defensive backs when he meets them at the point of attack. Has actually gotten better with age.

    No. 99, DT Jurrell Casey, 28 years old, 6-1, 305, seventh season

    Ranked No. 86 on the NFL’s top-100 list for 2017. Team captain. Earned his third straight Pro Bowl nod this season by recording 60 tackles, six sacks and a team-high 19 quarterback hits. Gap shooter with good quickness and power who has been a consistent pass-rush threat the last five years. Sometimes rushes from a stand-up position. Explodes off the snap and can be very disruptive vs. the run or pass. Can be moved a bit on the double but has an assortment of pass-rush moves that guards must always be prepared for. Has a swim move. Plays hard. “He likes to get after the quarterback, and he has a lot of good moves on the inside,” offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. “So our guys on the interior will have to be focused on that. But he’s a good player, a Pro Bowl player that plays hard, whose motor is always running. You’ve got to know where he’s at.”

    No. 31, S Kevin Byard, 24 years old, 5-11, 212, second season

    Former third-round pick in 2016 who is building off a rookie season in which he recorded 58 tackles and four pass deflections. Recorded 87 tackles, 16 pass deflections and an NFL-high eight interceptions. Has also deflected 16 passes and recovered two fumbles. Reigning AFC defensive player of the week for his two-interception effort against Jacksonville. Regularly plays the deep third of the field in the mold of Seattle’s Earl Thomas III and has impressive range; his ability to do this allows the Titans to load the box and stop the run. Solid tackler who has developed into a complete player. Plays his tail off, needs to be accounted for and should’ve made the Pro Bowl. Playmaker. “He always around the ball,” Nagy said. “He looks like he’s a player that really understands their system. ... He’s a ballhawk.”

    Additional scouting notes on the Titans

    ▪ When running back DeMarco Murray is healthy, he is a terrific back. A straight-line, downhill runner with power and speed, Murray — who is No. 33 on the NFL’s top-100 list — is a perfect fit for the Titans’ power scheme. Murray, however, is out due to a three-degree MCL tear suffered in Week 16.

    ▪ Receiver Rishard Matthews is the Titans’ best option on the outside. He’s a solid route runner and a consistent target, though his run-blocking leaves a little to be desired.

    ▪ This offense will jump to another level if Corey Davis, the fifth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, manages to live up to expectations. He’s been banged up some this year and hasn’t caught a touchdown in 11 NFL games.

    ▪ Left tackle Taylor Lewan is outstanding. Ranked No. 72 on the NFL’s top-100 list, he’s a massive man with good athleticism and strength for his size. Expect the Titans to run behind him a ton, which means Frank Zombo needs to be ready to set the edge.

    ▪ Outside linebacker Derrick Morgan is a solid football player. He overwhelmingly pass-rushes from the left side and consistently poses problems for slow-footed tackles. He stands out as a pass rusher, where he’s good at converting speed to power.

    ▪ Outside linebacker Brian Orakpo is underrated. Ranked No. 78 on the NFL’s top-100 list, he has consistently been one of the league’s better pass rushers for years. He’s been better against the run this year than Morgan has been, so if the Chiefs are going to get any runs going to the outside, they might not want to try his side too often.

    ▪ Inside linebackers Avery Williamson and Wesley Woodyard fly around all over the place. They’re responsible for a lot, including stopping the run and corralling the short passing game. Both are having really nice seasons and are as good of a run-stopping inside-linebacking tandem the Chiefs will see. Woodyard, by the way, has been named a captain every year during his entire 10-year career.

    ▪ Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson is showing why he made my 2017 All-Juice Team before the draft. Jackson is a wonderful player who gives you some explosive return ability, too. He might be their best option to handle Tyreek Hill. He’s a willing tackler, but he’s not a big guy.

    ▪ Safety Johnathan Cyprien is a hard-hitter, but teams have had some success throwing his way in coverage. It will be interesting to see if the Chiefs find a way to get tight end Travis Kelce matched up with him in favorable situations.

    Prediction: Chiefs 20-17

    Welcome to playoff football. I expect this to be a tough, physical game that will ultimately be decided by which team makes the fewest mistakes. A big reason for that is because of the way the Titans play under coach Mike Mularkey. There are other playoff teams that would give the Chiefs less trouble than the Titans will, but you guys know my philosophy to picking playoff winners — always pick the team with the best coach-quarterback combination. This week, it’s the Chiefs. And I expect them to make enough plays on offense — and shut down the Titans’ running game enough — to win and force a potentially redemptive showdown against either Pittsburgh or New England, the two teams that knocked the Chiefs out of the playoffs the last two years.
    ***Official Chiefs Crowd Game Thread Starter***

    This space is reserved for something that has nothing whatsoever to do with MatthewsChiefs. (Whoever THAT is!)

  10. #10
    Member Since
    Jan 2009
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    Well....Vegas and the "experts" all say our Chiefs have this one in the bag. But the Titans style of play seems almost tailor-made for playing the Chiefs. Yeah...I'm worried.

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