KANSAS CITY- Against the Chiefs last night, the Titans let one slip by. The Titans, a definite underdog, had the lead for a long portion of the game at Arrowhead Stadium. To end Tennessee’s five-game winning streak, the Chiefs rallied and won 20-17 in extra time. Coach Mike Vrabel of the Titans said it was extremely frustrating. I feel horrible for the competitors that put so much effort into playing while experiencing pain, discomfort, or any other circumstance. It’s a blessing that I get to be their coach because they fight.
The Titans lost in Overtime
I want to be clear that there are no moral triumphs. We came over here to win, and that was all we were thinking about doing. Late in the fourth quarter, the Titans led 17-9, but with 2:58 remaining, Patrick Mahomes’ 14-yard touchdown run and subsequent two-point conversion run gave the Chiefs the lead and tied the game at 17-17.
Harrison Butker’s 28-yard field goal with 4:04 remaining in overtime gave the Chiefs a 20-17 advantage. In overtime, the Titans had possession, but they were unable to do much with it. And its safety Kevin Byard stated We are simply proud of how we played. I don’t know how many defensive plays we ran, but it was probably about 100 or so. We lost a lot of ground, but we fought valiantly.
Despite an explosive offense, we managed to stay in the game for the majority of the time. When they made the field goal, I said to them as I approached the sidelines, Hey,… I have no further requests to make. Everyone was engaged in combat outside. All I can ask for at the end of the day is that guys were hurt and gave it their all.
Malik Willis Played for the Titans
In place of an injured Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis started the second straight game for the Titans. Willis rushed for 40 yards on eight runs in addition to completing 5-of-16 throws for 80 yards during the game. In a game where he was sacked three times, Willis observed receivers letting catchable long balls slip through their fingers.
For the fifth straight game, running back Derrick Henry surpassed the 100-yard mark. This time ending with 115 yards and two touchdowns on just 17 touches. On a night when Mahomes completed 43 of 68 passes for 446 yards and a touchdown. The Titans fell to 5-3 with the defeat. Roger McCreary, a Titans cornerback, intercepted Mahomes during the game.
I am most proud of the soldiers for the manner they fought, said Willis. Despite the circumstances, we didn’t give up, and I couldn’t be more proud of the men. Although we didn’t succeed this time, we can still learn from it.
On defense, the Titans were a tough lot.
After Kansas City put together a lengthy drive to open the game, the Chiefs controlled the ball for over eight minutes on a 15-play, 69-yard drive before being held to a 24-yard field goal by Butker.On their first offensive play, the Titans produced an explosive play. A 48-yard pass from Willis to rookie tight end Chig Okonkwo. However, the drive came to a dead stop, forcing the Titans to punt.
The Titans’ failed tackle
It became 9-0 when Mahomes found Mecole Hardman for a seven-yard touchdown pass on Kansas City’s following possession. The Titans appeared to be about to make another stop. But Hardman was able to score thanks to a failed tackle by McCreary on him.
However, the Titans fought back with a stunning seven-play, 74-yard drive of their own that was finished by Henry’s four-yard touchdown run. On the drive, Willis ran twice for a total of 25 yards and completed a pass for 16 yards to tight end Austin Hooper. On a 24-yard run, Henry moved the Titans into the red zone.
After regaining possession of the ball, the Titans scored once more on another touchdown run by Henry, this time from one yard out. The Titans led 14-9 after the five-play, 79-yard drive. During the drive, Henry scored the 74th touchdown of his career, breaking Earl Campbell’s team record for running touchdowns, on a 56-yard run.
Titans’ Advantage
Kicker Randy Bullock upped the Titans’ advantage to 17-9 earlier in the second half with a field goal from 44 yards out. The field goal was made possible by McCreary’s interception of the Mahomes pass after it had left Kelce’s hands.
With 5:17 remaining in the third quarter, the score was still 17-9 thanks to the Titans’ bend. But don’t break the defense that stopped a Kansas City drive and then saw Butker’s attempt at a 47-yard of goal miss wide.
For a while, it appeared as though the Titans might pull off the unexpected victory. The dismal conclusion followed. On Sunday at Nissan Stadium against the Broncos, the Titans will resume play.
Defense lineman Jeffery Simmons for the Titans remarked, “This one is rough, for sure. They will appear in the playoffs once more. This game, especially in overtime, could have been decided by one play. How can we make that one play? is how we are thinking. But the squad worked hard, and we battled to the bitter end.
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