BY TRISTAN SASSE
For the first time since 2003, the Tennessee Titans have won a playoff game. In the Wild Card Round on Saturday, the Titans came back from an 18 point second half deficit to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 22-21. The Chiefs have now lost 11 of their last 12 playoff games and haven’t won a home playoff game since 1994, going 0-6 during that stretch.
Game Recap
Both teams were forced to punt after struggling offensively on their first possession. On Kansas City’s second drive of the game, Alex Smith found Tyreek Hill for a 45-yard completion and Travis Kelce had a 27-yard reception on the following play. Two plays later, Kareem Hunt scored from a yard out to give the Chiefs an early 7-0 lead. The Kansas City drive went 81 yards in six plays and lasted just under three minutes.
The Chiefs forced a second straight three-and-out on the following possession and had no trouble marching down the field again. In five plays, Kansas City found the end zone. This time, Kelce hauled in a 13-yard touchdown reception. The drive was ignited by the play-making ability of Hill and Kelce.
Kansas City had a total of 179 yards in the first quarter while holding Tennessee to 45 yards and one first down. Smith completed 8-of-11 passes for 154 passing yards. Hill had three receptions for 75 yards and Kelce had three receptions for 54 yards.
The Chiefs began the second quarter by forcing a third straight Titans punt. Tennessee’s offense finally advanced into Kansas City territory midway through the quarter, but the drive was halted with an interception by Marcus Peters.
Near the end of the half, the Titans drove down the field again. This time, Tennessee ended the shutout with a 49-yard field goal by Ryan Succop. The Chiefs regained possession with under two minutes left in the half and their high-powered offense was on the attack again. Just before the half, Demarcus Robinson caught a 14-yard touchdown reception. The drive lasted 1:57 and covered 79 yards in nine plays.
In the first half, Kansas City accumulated 264 yards, 16 first downs, and averaged eight yards per play. Meanwhile, the Titans were held to 127 yards and five first downs.
For the Chiefs, Smith completed 19-of-23 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns. Hill led all receivers in the first half with five receptions for 84 yards. Kelce added 66 yards and Robinson added 57. Also, Kelce left the game late in the first half with a concussion.
For Tennessee, Marcus Mariota completed 7-of-13 attempts for 82 yards. Derrick Henry led the ground game with 10 rushes for 42 yards. Additionally, Delanie Walker had four receptions for 51 yards.
On the first drive of the second half, the Titans put together a 15 play, 91-yard drive that lasted over eight minutes. Mariota scored a touchdown on third-and-goal on a deflected pass that ended up in his own hands. Tennessee then forced a three-and-out, but their momentum was stopped shortly after.
Late in the third quarter, Adoree Jackson muffed a punt and the Chiefs recovered deep in Titan territory. Four plays later, Harrison Butker missed a 48-yard field goal off the upright. Kansas City entered the final quarter leading 21-10, but Tennessee was threatening in Chiefs territory. Kansas City was held to six yards in the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Henry cut the deficit to five with a 35-yard rushing touchdown. The Titans failed the two-point conversion. Soon after, Tennessee forced another Kansas City punt. With all the momentum on their side, the Titans continued to convert on third down. With just over six minutes remaining, Mariota found Eric Decker for a 22-yard touchdown reception. Tennessee failed another two-point conversion, but the Titans led 22-21.
Needing a score, the Chiefs would need to rely on their non-existent second half offense. The offense advanced to midfield but turned the ball over on downs just before the two-minute warning. Tennessee picked up a first down on the final drive and ran out the clock. The Titans held on for a 22-21 win. Additionally, the Chiefs were the first team in the Super Bowl era to give up an 18+ point second half lead at home and go on to lose.
By the Numbers
Kansas City finished with 325 yards, but only 96 of those yards came in the second half. Also, the Chiefs were shutout in the second half and held to three first downs, after having 16 in the first half. Meanwhile, the Titans finished with 397 yards, 23 first downs, and also converted 8-of-13 third downs.
For the Chiefs, Smith completed 24-of-33 attempts for 264 yards (33 in the second half). Hill finished with seven receptions for 87 yards, while Hunt added 42 rushing yards.
For the Titans, Mariota finished 19-of-31 passing for 205 yards. Henry led the offense with 23 rushing attempts for 156 yards. Mariota added 46 yards on the ground. Additionally, Walker had six receptions for 74 yards.
Looking Ahead
Tennessee will travel to either Foxborough to face New England or Pittsburgh to play the Steelers next week. For the second straight year, Kansas City lost a home playoff game.