AFC Wild Card 2018, Titans vs. Chiefs: Highlights, recap and more

In an AFC Wild Card matchup, the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs battled it out on Saturday inside Arrowhead Stadium.

The 2018 NFL Playoffs got off to a bang on Saturday afternoon, as the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs put on quite a show inside Arrowhead Stadium. At the beginning of the game, it was all Kansas City, as the Titans looked like they forgot to make the trip. Running back Kareem Hunt got the party started with a one-yard touchdown run. Hunt led the NFL in rushing yards as a rookie in 2017, and he proved his big year would carry over into the postseason.

The Chiefs were just getting started, as they dominated throughout the first half. Alex Smith hit Travis Kelce for a 13-yard touchdown to put Kansas City up 14-0, but Kelce was injured later in the second quarter, and did not return due to a concussion. Kansas City looked to pull away after a Ryan Succop field goal made it 14-3, as Smith hit Demarcus Robinson for a 14-yard score right before the half

While the game looked like a blowout heading into halftime, these Titans were not going to go away quietly. In the third quarter, Tennessee had the ball for the first eight-plus minutes, as Marcus Mariota capped the drive with a six-yard touchdown pass to himself. Yes, you heard that right, Mariota threw a ball that was deflected by Darrelle Revis right back into his own hands, becoming the first quarterback to throw a touchdown pass to himself in playoff history.

The Titans struck again to start the fourth quarter, as Derrick Henry scored on a beautiful 35-yard touchdown run. Tennessee tried for the two-point conversion, but failed, so the score was 21-16 with a little over fourteen minutes left in regulation. With six minutes left in the fourth, Tennessee struck again, but this time Mariota threw a touchdown to someone other than himself, as he connected with Eric Decker. Another failed two-point conversion made the score 22-21.

Only needing a field goal, the Chiefs drove the ball into Tennessee territory late in the fourth quarter. On a fourth-down play, Smith threw a deep ball to Albert Wilson, who was unable to hang on after being hit by Johnathan Cyprien. A Henry first down run before the two minute warning sent us to the break with the Titans up by one, and in Chiefs territory.

After the two minute, it looked like we would have a dramatic turnover to swing the game in the Chiefs favor. Marcus Peters appeared to strip Henry of the ball, and the Chiefs Derrick Johnson returned it all the way for a touchdown. However, Henry was ruled down by contact, and the Titans were able to run out the clock and come away with the incredible road victory.

The loss by the Chiefs was their sixth straight at home, which is an NFL record. Not many people gave the Titans a chance in this one, but Mariota showed why so many people were high on him before the season. Tennessee likely has New England next, but for one night, they showed they certainly belong in the playoffs.

Highlights

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Betting Odds

The Chiefs were big home favorites in this one coming in, as they were spotting the Titans nine points on Saturday. The Titans certainly came to play, .The over/under was set at 44.0, and these two offenses came to play on Saturday, beating that number. This line will change a lot throughout the week, so head on over to OddsShark.com for any changes up until kickoff.

Three Stars

1. Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans

Anytime you throw yourself a touchdown pass you have to be the Player of the Game right? Well, Mariota did more than just that on Saturday, showing why he is considered one of the better young quarterbacks in the NFL. He was hobbled by a bad hamstring all season, but he looks to be 100 percent, as he got the job done with his arm, and his legs against the Chiefs. He had a costly interception early, but bounced back and led his team to an incredible comeback after halftime.

2. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

With DeMarco Murray out due to a bum knee, the job was Derrick Henry’s  to handle the rock on Saturday against the Chiefs. Henry certainly answered the bell, as the second-year back made big play after big play in the second half. His big run after the two minute warning put the game away, as the former Heisman Trophy winner finished the game with over 150 on the day. If the Titans get Murray back next week, it still may be Henry’s show in the Divisional Round.

3. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs

After the break, the Chiefs did not do much on offense as a unit, but Tyreek Hill showed throughout the game why his one of the more dynamic players in the NFL. Hill led the Chiefs with seven catches and 87 receiving yards, while also throwing in a 14-yard rush. The second-year star was also asked to handle kickoff duties, and in a game that was pretty disappointing for the Chiefs, Hill stepped up for his teammates, especially with Travis Kelce out for most of the game.

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Next Week

By winning as the No. 5 seed, it is likely that the Titans next stop will be New England, where they will play the top-seeded Patriots. If the Buffalo Bills can somehow beat the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, they would play the Patriots, and the Titans would travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers. Tennessee looked great after the break, and Titans fans are certainly hoping they can carry that momentum into next weekend.