Many fans of the Kansas City Chiefs, as well as those of the Tennessee Titans, may think this game comes down to RB Derrick Henry versus the K.C. defense, but they’d be wrong. This game is all about whether the K.C. offense shows up and beats up on Nashville’s 18th ranked defense (according to Statmuse.com).
The Chiefs offense just put up 31 points on the Washington Football Team and their 6th ranked defense, and that included three (3) turnovers. Assuming K.C. finally gets their act together — minimizing turnovers — and they should win this game going away… even if they only hold RB Derrick Henry to something like 30 rushing yards per quarter (120 YPG).
A big part of the reasoning behind a believing in a Chiefs win in this one, is what the K.C. secondary did against the WFT. The Titans QB Ryan Tannehill may be better than the WFT’s QB Taylor Heinicke because CBS Sports ranks Tannehill as the 21st best QB in the league right now, and that same service ranks Heinicke as the 23rd best. Consequently, the Chiefs DBs should be able to force the Titans into a running battle vs passing battle, and if you haven’t heard yet, paper always beats rock, in the game Rock-Paper-Scissors. IOW, there’s just no way for the Derrick Henry to put enough yards or points on the field over the number of yards and points Patrick Mahomes and Company will put on the field. Even if it’s only on paper. [see what I did there?]
Even with DC Steve Spagnuolo focusing his defense on stopping the run this week, I’d be shocked if they hold Derrick Henry to 69 yards (or less) which is what his defense was able to achieve in the 2019 AFC Championship Game in January of 2020. Why, mostly because of personnel. Mike Pennel (now with he Falcons) was at he height of his run stuffing ability then and having guys like Reggie Ragland (now with the NY Giants) and Terrell Suggs (retired/FA) helped tremendously.
With the Titans missing their 3X-Pro Bowl Left Tackles, Taylor Lewan, the impact of the Chiefs front 7 will be amplified exponentially. With Chris Jones back, if plays more DT snaps — which is being reported — than DE snaps, like he has in the first 5 games, it’s gives K.C. more pop on the IDL, which will be greatly needed this week facing the best running back in the NFL.
In Washington, last Sunday, the Chiefs defense held the WFT to 13 points total, when they had been averaging 24.6 points per game. Not only did he defense, and the defensive backfield, have a much improved game vs. the WFT, but Mahomes looked more like the Mahomes of old:
Tennessee Weapons
Wide receivers AJ Brown and Julio Jones should not be taken lightly. FullPressCoverage.com has this to say about the matchup of the Titans main WRs vs the Chiefs DBs:
“The Titans possess a solid mix of speed and physical prowess within their receiving corps. Brown is a technician as a route runner. Jones can push the play vertically, which is something Kansas City has struggled with this season. “
Chiefs CBs Rashad Fenton and L’Jarius Sneed have shown improvement in recent weeks playing much tighter coverage. With Juan Thornhill back in the saddle, paired with Tyrann Mathieu, the back end of the K.C. defense is a positive match vs the Titans weapons.
Chiefs Weapons
Both Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are a go for this game. Even if they are only playing at 90%, the Titans coverage team should be no match for them. However, a matchup to watch will be Titans Safety Kevin Byard agains Travis Kelce. Byard already has 3 INTs his year tto go along with an 86.7 PFF rating. Other than Byard, the Titans don;t pose much of a threat to hold the Chiefs other weapons in check. Janoris Jenkins is likely their best corner but there’s no way his 4.46 speed can keep up with Tyreek Hill. or Mecole Hardman for that matter. If the Chiefs finally get Josh Gordon into the mix, watch out.
Kelce recently said he thinks the Chiefs are rallying:
“We’re coming off a big win and Washington is a good football team. They’re a very physical football team and we knew that going in. It didn’t start off the way we wanted it to, but it ended the way we wanted it to. We came out in the second half wit a lot of energy and a lot of passion to play for each other. That’s what this game is all about. Going out and being accountable, wanting to win the game for the guy next to you. Sure enough, we rallied together and we had a fun second half.”
That’s intrinsic motivation: wanting to win for the guy next to you.
Roster Moves/Activations
“The Titans activated running back Darrynton Evans and defensive lineman Larrell Murchison from injured reserve, the team announced Saturday. Both players are eligible to play in Sunday’s game against the Chiefs.”
The Chiefs made three (3) moves by officially placing Jody Fortson on the Injured Reserve List and bringing up — activating — two players from the Practice Squad: LB Darius Harris, and, LB/FB Christian Rozeboom.
The Chiefs Have Landed in Music City
Can you say: FASHION SHOW!… we’ll for some players.
All photos by Steve Sanders at Chiefs.com
Game Time Weather
According to weather.com, looks like there may be some wind, but otherwise, fairly ideal weather for a football game today in Nashville at noon today.
.
Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
.
If you are viewing this in Apple News and would like to join the Discussion, [GO HERE.](http://arrowheadone.com/chiefs-at-titans-preview-and-open-thread/#disqus_thread)
.