NFL Playoffs 2018: Titans vs. Chiefs highlights, game tracker and more

The Tennessee Titans faced the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 6, 2018, in an AFC Wild Card Round matchup. Here are highlights from the game.

The 2017 NFL playoffs get underway on Saturday afternoon when the Tennessee Titans (9-7) visit the Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) in the wild-card round. The Titans entered 2017 with high expectations. Led by quarterback Marcus Mariota, two first-round draft picks, a strong running game and a stingy defense, this was supposed to be the year of the Titans. Unfortunately for Tennessee, that’s now quite how it worked out. The good news for the Titans, though, it was a down year in the AFC and they snuck into the playoffs with a 9-7 record.

Mariota struggled in his third year in the league. Mariota passed for just 13 touchdowns this season, but even worse, he was picked off 15 times. In 2016, Mariota had 26 touchdown passes and over his first two years, he had a combined 19 interceptions. A big reason for the team’s offensive issues this season was the play of Mariota. For Tennessee to make noise in the playoffs, it will need a big effort from the quarterback.

After starting the season 4-0, the Kansas City Chiefs looked like the best team in football. Then, things hit a rough patch as quarterback Alex Smith had his struggles and opposing defenses found ways to contain the big three of Kareem Hunt, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. The Chiefs recovered and won their final four games of the season and finally looked like the offense that was among the best in the NFL over the first month of the season.

Highlights

The most important matchup in this game will be Tennessee’s run defense against Kansas City’s rushing attack. The Titans can stop the run, allowing opponents just five rushing touchdowns on the season. Opposing teams also rushed for an average of just 3.6 yards per carry. Kansas City will try to run the football, and if successful, that could determine this game.