Despite the loss, the Titans proved themselves in Kansas City
Despite a hard to swallow, 20-17 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Tennessee Titans (5-3) proved a lot of people wrong on Sunday Night. In a game where the Titans were without starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, traveling on the road, and battling the best quarterback in football, Tennessee still managed to take things […]
Despite a hard to swallow, 20-17 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Tennessee Titans (5-3) proved a lot of people wrong on Sunday Night.
In a game where the Titans were without starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, traveling on the road, and battling the best quarterback in football, Tennessee still managed to take things down to the wire.
Riding 115 yards and over six yards per carry from Derrick Henry and an elite effort from the entire defense, the Titans' gritty effort came up just one play short at Arrowhead Stadium.
Now, there are no moral victories. As Mike Vrabel said after the game, the Titans traveled to Kansas City to win, not come up one play short. But that doesn't mean there are no positive takeaways from the game.
Many people had doubts about the Titans entering Sunday night. They were on a five game winning streak, but hadn't stayed in a game with any elite offenses. They had Derrick Henry, but Kansas City's defense seemed bound to contain him. Once Malik Willis was announced as the starting quarterback, the overwhelming expectation was a Kansas City blowout.
The Titans gave them all they could handle.
Tennessee's secondary shined in man coverage, and the defensive front got pressure on Mahomes, tallying four sacks and disrupting his rhythm. Even Chiefs head coach Andy Reid took notice:
The Titans proved themselves on Sunday Night.
Derrick Henry is inevitable. The defensive front is special. The secondary is coming into its own, and they just proved they can hang with anyone.
Yes, it was ugly finish to the game. The second half wad really hard to watch and it's easy to get down when a big game slips through your fingers, but the Titans have every right to feel good about their resilient efforts.
If Tannehill is in at quarterback, the Titans win this game. Heck, if the referees don't call a defensive holding on Josh Kalu when Travis Kelce ripped his helmet off, the Titans win this game.
You almost beat the Chiefs with negative two, yes, negative two passing yards in the second half and zero completions to wide receivers. Talk about finding a way…
Come playoff time, the Titans will be healthy, and they will be back for revenge. Tonight was just a preview of the team's potential.
Image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com-USA TODAY NETWORK
