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Beating the team that went to the super bowl last year is a big win. But what if that team is the one that beat you on their way to winning it all, a couple of years back. That’s exactly what the Tennessee Titans did today. After losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2019 AFC championship game, Tennessee took it all out, and beat the defending AFC champs, by a surprising score of 27-3.
Game Recap
This game was all Tennessee, starting with the opening drive, as they drove down to the KC 5. Running back Derrick Henry went in as QB, it the wildcat, and faked a run, before throwing to an open MyCole Pruiett, for a TD.
Fittingly, it was to a tight end, on National Tight Ends Day! Happy NTED to all the tight ends out there! The touchdown made the score, 7-0 Titans. The defense then set the tone, forcing the high-powered Cheifs offense to punt.
Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images
Tennessee used that momentum to move down the field to the Kansas City 24. On 3rd-and-7, Ryan Tannehill found his favorite receiver, AJ Brown in the end zone, to extend the lead to 14-0.
The usually incompetent Titans defense once again forced Patrick Mahomes, and co. to punt. Mike Vrabel’s crew capitalized again, this time with a 34-yard Randy Bullock field goal, to make it a 3 score game, at 17-0. Mahomes on the first play of his next drive, desperate to make something happen, threw a ball into coverage, which was tipped, and Titans linebacker, Rahsaan Evans caught it! Once again, Mahomes had bad luck on a pick… Tennessee got down to the KC 2, and on 3rd-and-goal, Ryan Tanne-Wheels scored on a run, to make the score 24-0! The Titans were having one of their best first halves in years! On the Chiefs next drive, Mahomes scrambled, and All-Pro Safety Kevin Byard forced a fumble, and Matthias Farley recovered giving the Titans the ball back.
Bullock made a 51-yarder, and the Chiefs kneeled to take it into the half. The Titans wouldn’t score the rest of the game, as they played ball control, and ate clock.
The 2nd half was boring, as the only points would be a 42-yard Harrison Butker field goal on their first drive. Tannehill threw a pick in the red zone, and the Chiefs fumbled as well. But Mahomes got hurt late in the third quarter, taking a knee to the helmet. Chad Henne replaced him, but the game was already over. Final, Titans 27, Chiefs, 3.
Photo: Brett Carlsen / Getty Images
My Thoughts
This was a great game. Tennessee didn’t dig themselves into a massive hole, and came out right away and attacked.
The defense came to play. They shut out the Chiefs in the first half, for the first time in Mahomes’ career, and held them to 3 points.
AJ Brown came back strong. The third year pro went off for the first time this year, with 8 grabs for 133 yards, and a TD. That is the way we need him to play every week.
The special teams was great. Bullock went 2-2 on field goals, including one of 50+. Brett Kern returned for IR, and looked like his old self, with a great coffin corner punt.
The offensive line gave up only one sack, but sustained injures to OT Kendall Lamm, and RG Nate Davis.
Top Fantasy Performer
This weeks top fantasy performer award goes to, drumroll, please………. AJ Brown, with 27.30 fantasy points. AJ had 8 catches, 133 yards, and hauled in a TD!
MVP, Improvement, Breakout, and What's Next
My MVP of the game goes to AJ Brown! He played great, and looked like he did last year, when he went to the Pro Bowl. My Improvement goes to Julio Jones. He had a good game, Monday vs. the Bills, but today he had just 2 catches for 38 yards. My Breakout for next game is Julio and AJ. They both have had good games, but they haven't both done well in the same game. Expect that to change next week. Speaking of next week, the Titans (5-2), travel to Indy to play the division-rival Colts, while th Chiefs (3-4) host the Giants on Monday Night Football.
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