Defeating a hot Tennessee Titans team on a three-game winning streak won’t be easy for the Kansas City Chiefs in the upcoming AFC Championship Game.
But the biggest challenge the team faces lies specifically in stopping running back Derrick Henry, who finished out the 2019 regular season with the NFL’s rushing title over Cleveland Browns rusher Nick Chubb.
The 6-foot-3, 247-pounder has racked up 367 carries for 1,917 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground between the regular season and the postseason.
“It’s going to take a lot of us hitting him and tackling him – more than one guy,” Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens told reporters. “He’s a big guy. Strong. Physical. All the tools. That’s why he’s running wild right now.”
Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolu knows it’s going to take a complete effort from all players on defense to stand a chance at limiting the former Alabama standout.
“Look, he’s a huge challenge. I could spit out all the tackling terms. Our guys know what they are. It’s going to be a mindset, and it’s going to take all 11. It’s not going to be one guy tackling him. It’s a swarm. You overpopulate the ball. We know he’s going to get the ball a lot, so get a lot of people there.”
The Titans and Chiefs are set to kick off at 2:05 p.m. CST on Sunday in Arrowhead Stadium to determine who will take the field representing the AFC in Super Bowl LIV.
