Chiefs @ Titans
Final Score: Titans 27, Chiefs 3
Writer: Callen Elslager (@callen_elslager on Twitter and Reddit)
Well this game certainly had expectations to be a high-scoring shoot-out sort of game, but it looks like only the Titans got that memo as Ryan Tannehill rebuilt that rapport he had with A.J. Brown for their best game as a tandem this season. On the other hand, Kansas City’s offense could not get anything going, and also saw Patrick Mahomes leave with what looked at the time like a scary hit.
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes: 20/35, 206 yards, INT | 6 carries, 35 yards
Chad Henne: 11/16, 82 yards | 1 carry, 4 yards
Prior to a hit in the head midway through the 4th quarter, Patrick Mahomes was not his normal self, struggling to get the ball downfield as efficiently as he normally would. His throws were just a bit off target, as the Titans put some pressure on him throughout this game. Though there were some drops by his receivers, including one crucial deflection that led to his lone interception, Mahomes was not as sharp as we’re used to seeing him. Mahomes left the game after taking a shot to the head and he did not return. Early reports seem positive, as it does not sound like he will miss much time with the injury, which is a great sign considering how bad the hit looked originally. We also did see Mahomes lose a fumble early after pressure got to him and the Tennessee defense was able to strip the ball right from him.
After Mahomes left, we saw Chad Henne come in to relieve him as the Chiefs needed to throw to try and come from behind. While he could not get the Chiefs into the end zone, Henne made accurate passes allowing the Kansas City drives to move, but not enough for scores.
TIP DRILL! 🙌🏽 @616evans4
📺: Watch #KCvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/LaXwE8S44h
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) October 24, 2021
Running Back
Darrel Williams: 5 carries, 20 yards | 4 targets, 3 receptions, 30 yards
Jerrick McKinnon: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 17 yards
Darrel Williams looked pretty good early with the work he was given, but the game script quickly turned after some quick scores from the Titans’ offense. As this game script flipped, Williams still remained the lead back and was quite involved in the passing game, receiving both dump-offs and some passes downfield. As also to be expected, the passing game script also allowed Jerrick McKinnon to receive some passes, as he would come in to spell Williams at times.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Byron Pringle: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 73 yards
Travis Kelce: 12 targets, 7 receptions, 65 yards
Tyreek Hill: 6 targets, 6 receptions, 49 yards
Mecole Hardman: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 28 yards
Marcus Kemp: 1 target, 1 reception, 8 yards
Demarcus Robinson: 4 targets, 1 reception, 7 yards
Derrick Gore: 1 target, 1 reception, 7 yards
Noah Gray: 1 target, 1 reception, 4 yards
Josh Gordon: 1 target
With the struggles of Patrick Mahomes, not one of his receivers were able to have the best of days, with Tyreek Hill not getting into as much open space downfield as we are used to seeing him do, getting shut down for the most part until later in the game. The offense continued to try and get work to Travis Kelce but some tipped passes at the line prevented the targets from fully getting through to him. While Mecole Hardman was supposed to be the next receiver in this offense even though he had a late fumble in this game, Byron Pringle was the most impressive of these weapons, getting open downfield with his targets mainly coming from Mahomes.
Tennessee Titans
Quarterback
Ryan Tannehill: 21/27, 270 yards, TD, INT | 2 carries, 6 yards, TD
Ryan Tannehill looked very impressive all throughout the game, getting time to move the ball downfield, finding his targets throughout while taking some shots downfield. While he did throw his lone interception down in the red zone while trying to dump the ball off to the backfield, the defender made a great play to reach up and pick it off. That was really Tannehill’s lone mistake of the game. He was able to find A.J. Brown downfield for the touchdown, with another one very possible as Brown was taken down at the inch line just short of the end zone. He also was able to take the ball himself down at the goalline, showing off some rushing ability we know he has within.
.@WillieG___ snags the interception‼️
📺: #KCvsTEN on CBS pic.twitter.com/Efg76YCKZk
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 24, 2021
Touchdown Tannehill! #KCvsTEN #BudLightCelly | @budlight pic.twitter.com/VpJXVZlacm
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) October 24, 2021
Running Back
Derrick Henry: 29 carries, 86 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 16 yards | 1/1, 5 yards, TD
Darrynton Evans: 2 carries, 7 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 11 yards
Jeremy McNichols: 1 target, 1 reception, 10 yards
If this is a “bad game” for Derrick Henry, he’s going to be just fine breaking into open space and pushing forward with the spear the offensive line gave for him. It was also very fun seeing him get a snap at the goalline with him jumping up and throwing over the defender’s to the back of the end zone for Mycole Pruitt and a touchdown.
WILDKING 👑 #NationalTightEndsDay
📺: Watch #KCvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/v9BsiL7jbG
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) October 24, 2021
With the score being how it was, Darrynton Evans and Jeremy McNichols got some work spelling Henry being involved in the passing game as Tannehill would dump the ball off to both backs, and getting open to space as needed.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
A.J. Brown: 9 targets, 8 receptions, 133 yards, TD
Julio Jones: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 38 yards
MyCole Pruitt: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 27 yards, TD
Josh Reynolds: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 23 yards
Anthony Firkser: 1 target, 1 reception, 9 yards
Geoff Swaim: 1 target, 1 reception, 8 yards
Marcus Johnson: 1 target | 1 attempt, 5 yards
With no Chipotle on the menu this week, A.J. Brown was incredible, breaking into open space for some yards after the catch while also getting open downfield as Tannehill aired it out. He made a beautiful catch down the sideline for 50 yards, his longest of the game, and he followed it up with another ball downfield into the end zone for his touchdown reception. He could have had one more touchdown had he not gotten tackled down at the one-inch line later on in the game.
Guac isn't extra with this TD #KCvsTEN
📺: Watch #KCvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/2aGKorCHaH
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) October 24, 2021
Julio Jones was held pretty quiet with the big game from A.J. Brown, but he did make some impressive catches downfield as he broke open into open space keeping the drives moving. We already mentioned the Mycole Pruitt touchdown shown above down at the goalline as he was a valuable safety blanket for Tannehill throughout. Josh Reynolds also was a valuable safety option to keep drives moving particularly with a few third-down conversions.
— Callen Elslager (@callen_elslager on Twitter and Reddit)