Titans demolish Chiefs for second straight statement victory

Another day, another huge game, another statement victory for the Tennessee Titans. Just six days removed from beating the Buffalo Bills, the Titans followed that up with a dominant performance against the Kansas City Chiefs.

From the opening drive, the Titans were in control. Tennessee opened the scoring with a Derrick Henry touchdown pass to MyCole Pruitt. They added to the lead with a Ryan Tannehill touchdown pass to A.J. Brown.

The story was the Titans defense though, which made life downright impossible on Patrick Mahomes in the first half. Tennessee forced a fumble and an interception, limiting Kansas City to just over six minute of possession in the opening half.

Two Randy Bullock field goals and a Ryan Tannehill rushing touchdown built a 27-0 lead by halftime.

The Chiefs had to show something coming out of the break, which they did. It was the best Mahomes had looked all day, as Kansas City quickly moved down the field. The Titans would hold them to just three points, however.

Todd Downing played ball control on the next drive. Derrick Henry and short passes were the name of the game as Tennessee kept the clock and the chains moving. Tennessee couldn’t get points though, as Tannehill was picked off in the redzone to keep the Chiefs barely breathing.

Mahomes, needing to work quickly, got across midfield, but the Tennessee defense stood tall again. Denico Autry came up big with a sack, and Harrison Butker missed from 57 yards.

As the fourth quarter began, the Titans held a 27-3 lead.

Mahomes needed to come up with something, but the Tennessee pass rush was too much. Harold Landry and Ola Adeniyi got pressure, and Mahomes had nowhere to go. The Titans got yet another stop on fourth and 18, and this one was essentially over with.

Ryan Tannehill had an efficient afternoon, going 21-27 for 270 yards and a score. Derrick Henry grinded out 86 yards, but it was the Tennessee defense that stole the show today. Down three corners, the Titans shut down Mahomes and company. Mahomes ended with 206 yards and a pick, as he couldn’t handle the pressure that the Chiefs surrendered up front.

So now the Titans sit at 5-2, set to travel to Indianapolis next week. They’ve clearly rebounded from that debacle in New York, and are now firmly in the thick of the battle for the top seed in the AFC.