The Kansas City Chiefs are getting healthier and playing their best football of the season.
Many players on both sides of the ball have stepped up in a big way in the last few weeks. The defense has turned a corner and has found an aggressive identity. Quarterback Matt Moore kept the offense steady during Patrick Mahomes’ absence, with some help from the many talented skill position players the Chiefs have.
Now, Kansas City will travel to Tennessee to take on the 4-5 Titans. Here are our keys to victory.
Disrupt the Titans’ backfield early
The Tennessee offensive line is perhaps the worst in the NFL. It has surrendered the most sacks (38) and the fourth-most QB hits (62). They are also struggling in run blocking; ball carriers are averaging just a combined 3.9 yards per carry.
As it did against the Denver Broncos a few weeks ago, the Chiefs’ front seven needs to send a message right off the bat in this game by bringing pressure early and often. Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill isn’t going to make a defense pay for blitzing.
He will need a successful running game to feed off of to be successful. If the Chiefs can continue to play run defense as they have, it will be a long, error-ridden day for Tannehill.
Help out left tackle Cameron Erving
Although the Chiefs offense is among the best in the league, the line has been inconsistent. Erving has been the weakest link, both in pass protection and run blocking. With Mahomes set to return from injury in this game, the Kansas City offensive coaching staff must do whatever it takes to get Erving some help.
One thing they can do is run a lot of two-tight-end sets, keeping one next to Erving most times. Another option is to keep a running back in the backfield to Mahomes’ left and help block. Even just a chip at the line of scrimmage would go a long way. Keeping Mahomes in shotgun a little more often and having him get rid of the ball quickly would also help.
Be aware of Mike Vrabel’s aggressive coaching
In his two seasons as the Titans’ head coach, Vrabel has earned a reputation for being one of the most aggressive coaches in the league. Tennessee ranks in the top 10 in going for it on fourth down, and Vrabel has a knack for doing it throughout the game, not just when they have to.
In Week 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Vrabel opted to attempt a fake field goal with just over four minutes left in the game — even though the Titans were leading 27-23. The attempt was unsuccessful, but it’s another example of Vrabel not hesitating to make an aggressive call no matter the situation.
Lock down receiver A.J. Brown
The Chiefs’ secondary has done a very good job of locking down their opponents’ top receiving option the last few games. For example, last week they held the Minnesota Vikings’ No. 1 receiver, Stefon Diggs — who was on fire coming into the game — to just one catch for four yards.
This week Brown should be the primary focus of the K.C. secondary. The rookie second-round pick is already a polished route runner and leads the Titans in receiving yards (429) and touchdowns (3).
Brown mostly works out of the slot, so he should get a lot of matchups against slot cornerbacks Kendall Fuller (who is questionable for this game) or Rashad Fenton. Fenton has played surprisingly well as a rookie sixth-round pick. He’ll need another strong performance this week against Brown.
Watch out for cornerback Logan Ryan
Ryan is playing as well as any other cornerback in the league. He has picked off three passes, forced three fumbles and has 3.5 sacks on the season. He is one of the few corners who play out on the boundary and in the slot throughout the course of a game.
It will be crucial for Mahomes to know of Logan’s whereabouts at all times. When Logan lines up across from receiver Tyreek Hill, it should be a fun matchup of two elite players at their respective positions.
