The Tennessee Titans overcame a nine-point fourth quarter deficit to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 35-32 Sunday afternoon at Nissan Stadium.
On the final play of the game, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker attempted a 52-yard field goal that Titans cornerback LeSean Sims blocked to protect Tennessee’s lead.
Kansas City established a 29-20 lead with quarterback Patrick Mahomes hitting receiver Mecole Hardman for a 63-yard touchdown with 12:04 to go. Tennessee began to chip into the Chiefs’ lead when running back Derrick Henry scored a 1-yard touchdown run with 6:30 to play.
Even though the Chiefs added a Butker field goal to extend the lead to 32-27 with 3:19 to play, quarterback Ryan Tannehill led the Titans on a four-play, 61-yard drive that saw the former Miami Dolphins 2012 first-round pick connecting with receiver Adam Humphries for a 23-yard touchdown to push Tennessee ahead 35-32 with 0:29 to play.
The loss drops the Chiefs to 6-4 on the season, and it elevates the Titans to 5-5, firmly giving them third place in the AFC South.
Houston does not commence their series with the Titans until Week 15. If the Titans catch some momentum that puts them in position to take the division, the Texans will have two chances beginning in Week 15 to squelch Tennessee. The first matchup is at Nissan Stadium, and the season finale is at NRG Stadium.
The Texans are on their bye in Week 10. With a 6-3 record, the Texans have taken just one loss in the division, let alone the conference, when they dropped a 30-23 decision at the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7. The other two losses are to NFC South clubs in the New Orleans Saints (Week 1) and the Carolina Panthers (Week 4). The win by the Titans doesn’t materially affect the Texans at the moment, but it is a win and an AFC win that could have tiebreaker implications later on in late December.
For instant analysis from a Chiefs perspective, check out Chiefs Wire.
For instant analysis from a Titans angle, check out Titans Wire.
