Patrick Mahomes returned for the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans.
While many (including myself) predicted the Chiefs to win, the Titans could expose a potentially fatal weakness of Kansas City as a means to potential victory: A strong run-game.
Derrick Henry gashed the Chiefs defense for 188 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries –– including a 68-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Feed that man. @KingHenry_2 #KCvsTEN pic.twitter.com/lSP2l9Dnwx
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 10, 2019
Even with Henry’s dominance, the Titans were at a disadvantage due to the return of Patrick Mahomes on the other side of the field. And, even after missing two games, the reigning league MVP returned to dominance very early.
On the opening drive, Mahomes connected with Travis Kelce on a shovel pass for an early touchdown, giving Kansas City the early lead.
No better way to start the game 🏹 pic.twitter.com/6LHQEH05BW
Advertisement— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 10, 2019
That Chiefs lead extended to 10-0 after a strip-sack of Ryan Tannehill led to a field goal from Harrison Butker. But the Titans wouldn’t go quietly, as Tannehill responded with a drive that resulted in a nine-yard touchdown strike to tight end Anthony Firkser –– cutting the deficit to three.
That's an Anthony Firkser TD 😍 #KCvsTEN pic.twitter.com/W5Vo6W2F2w
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 10, 2019
That deficit of three would turn into a lead of three after Rashaan Evans returned a Damien Williams fumble 53 yards for the score, giving the Titans a 13-10 lead, but Harrison Butker came right back to tie it with a field goal right before halftime.
Tyreek Hill scored an 11-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter, giving the Chiefs their first lead of the second half. A lead that wouldn’t last long, as Derrick Henry exploded for a 68-yard touchdown run –– thus giving the Titans a 20-19 lead.
Following a Kansas City field goal, wide receiver Mecole Hardman had a 63-yard touchdown catch-and-run of his own, giving the Chiefs a 29-20 lead.
Henry got his second touchdown of the day right after, but it was still a 32-27 Chiefs lead entering the final home stretch of the ballgame.
With just over three minutes left, Tannehill took over. However, that came with a bit of luck: The Titans turned the ball over on downs, and Kansas City would botch on field goal snap on the ensuing possession –– giving Tannehill the ball back at his own 39-yard line, this time with no timeouts.
Tannehill dominated the drive, ending it with a 23-yard touchdown strike to Adam Humphries. Tannehill then marched into the endzone on a two-point conversion attempt, giving Tennessee a 35-32 win.
LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOO #KCvsTEN @ryantannehill1 to @adamhumphries13 🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/zgMhN2efCr
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 10, 2019
Mahomes responded by getting Kansas City into field goal range, but the Titans blocked it, sealing a crucial home victory.
"UNBELIEVABLE! THIS PLACE IS EXPLODING!" #KCvsTEN pic.twitter.com/lHW4gKOfoU
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 10, 2019
What we Learned
- This is Ryan Tannehill’s team now. If his 2-1 start entering Sunday didn’t do it for the doubters, Sunday certainly did. He finished the ballgame 13-of-19 for 181 yards and two touchdowns, adding an extra 37 yards on the ground as well.
- Second-year linebacker Harold Landry is a special talent at getting after the quarterback, recording his seventh sack of the season on Sunday.
7 sacks on the season for @HaroldLandry 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/4CO6GeMAlK
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 10, 2019
- Mahomes, although he came up short, he looked to have no lasting effects of his injured knee, finishing 36-of-50 for 446 yards and three touchdowns.
This win for the Titans has them 5-5 heading into the bye week, only 1.5 games out of first place in the AFC South. As for the Chiefs, their loss drops them to 6-4, only half a game up on Oakland for first in the AFC West.
