The Titans put together the game that coaches, fans and pundits alike were waiting to see against the the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday at Nissan Stadium, with a decisive 27-3 victory . The offense attacked early and often, building a lead that began in the first series of the game. Ryan Tannehill captained the Titans down to the 5 yard line, throwing the ball to multiple receivers and handing it off to Derrick Henry as needed.
At the 5, Henry took a direct snap and threw Mycole Pruitt open with a nifty pass to the back of the end zone. Pruitt made a difficult catch while keeping both feet inbounds.
The opening series set the tone for the offense, which utilized execution and physicality in equal measure. They held onto the ball and ate up the clock, managing a potentially devastating setback when backup Left Tackle Kendall Lamm, who was in for pro bowler Taylor Lewan, was lost in the second quarter to an ankle injury. The Titans subbed in Bobby Hart, who is primarily a right tackle, signed off the Bills practice squad Wednesday. Playing left tackle on a last minute notice, Hart barely batted an eye. Tannehill was sacked just once. He threw for 270 yards and scored a rushing touchdown. Henry ran for 86 yards and A.J. Brown had a big game, racking up 133 receiving yards and a touchdown.
On defense, the Titans aggressively swarmed to ball, making Patrick Mahomes miserable. Mahomes was sacked 4 times and linebacker Rashann Evans intercepted him once. The chiefs were so discombobulated that TE Travis Kelce resorted to a tattling session with the referee, complaining that safety Dane Cruickshank was getting away with multiple pass interferences. The Titans defensive line and linebacking crew held strong, limiting Mahomes, RB Darrel Williams and utility back, wide reciever Tyreek Hill to a combined 73 yards of rushing. Both safety Kevin Byard and corner back Elijah Molden had strong games against the lauded Chiefs receiving corps.
Though the return game was lackluster, the Titans special teams unit was solid, with the return of Brett Kern who was back to his stellar form. Kicker Randy Bullock maintained his consistency, going 2/2, kicking field goals of 34 and 51 yards.
Titan Up(s) & Downs 