The 6th-seeded Tennesse Titans travel to Kansas City, Missouri Sunday, looking to upset the heavily favored Chiefs in the AFC championship game. The game is set to kickoff at 3:05pm ET.
The Titans are attempting to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 1999 when Kevin Dyson infamously came up one-yard short of the game-wining touchdown. The Chiefs on the other side, haven’t been to the Super Bowl in 50+ years (1969). They fell short last year, when Tom Brady and the Patriots defeated them in overtime of last years AFC championship game.
These two squads matched up earlier in the season (week 10) with the Titans earning a 35-32 victory. The Chiefs out-gained the Titans in that particular game, as well as dominating in time of possession. The Titans defense gave up plenty of yards but was able to hold the Chiefs to five field-goal attempts which kept them close. The game-breaking play came when Rashaan Evans of the Titans returned a fumble 53-yards for a touchdown.
The Chiefs are favorites with the line placed at -7, and the O/U set at 53. (Action Network) 63% of the public is riding with Kansas City in this match-up and 59% of the public believes this game will hit the over mark.
This game features teams with contrasting styles of play. The Chiefs are an explosive team that can score multiple touchdowns in five or less total plays per possession. The Titans are a smash-mouth bunch, that control the clock by running the football and converting on 3rd and short. If you’re betting on the Chiefs, it would be wise to bet the over. If you believe the Titans will come away with the upset or cover the spread, you should bet the under.
The Kansas City Chiefs are 13-4 in straight bets, 11-5-1 ATS and 9-8 against the O/U. The Titans posses an 11-7 record in straight bets, 11-7 ATS and 10-8 against the O/U. Both teams are above .500 in all three categories which makes this game somewhat unpredictable if you’re purely looking at the betting statistics.
Both the Chiefs and Titans also come into this game relatively healthy with just a few players listed on the injury report. The Chiefs are extremely healthy as LeSean McCoy is the only player listed on the report with an illness. He is questionable to play. Star defensive tackle Chris Jones did not play during the divisional round against the Texans with a lingering calf injury, but he returned to practice Friday and is looking to give it a go.
The Titans are dealing with slightly more injury concerns. Adoree Jackson, Jack Conklin, and Rashaan Evans are all nursing minor injuries that are classified as questionable to play Sunday.
Derrick Henry of the Titans has been the key cog in Tennessee’s two upset road victories this postseason. Henry at 6’3, 230+lbs is a freight train running through the line and almost impossible to tackle one-on-one in the open-field. Henry became the first running back in league history to rush for over 175 yards in back-to-back playoff games. Derrick Henry is also the only player in league history to run for 1,200-yards and ten touchdowns over an eight game span which he accomplished this regular season. The Titans have played the role of spoiler this postseason, beating the top-seeded Patriots and Ravens on the road after barely squeaking into the playoffs at 9-7. Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans peaked at the right point in the season and are one game away from the “impossible”. A Titans win would be an epic upset victory.
Kansas City nearly shocked the world in a bad way last weekend as they had to comeback from a large first half deficit against the Houston Texans. The Texans built a 24-0 lead before Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense woke up. The Chiefs went on to score five consecutive touchdowns including a 51-7 blowout during the 2nd half. Mahomes threw for 321-passing yards and five touchdowns in the 51-31 victory. Tight end, Travis Kelce had a huge game, catching 10 balls for 134-yards and three touchdowns. Running back Damien Williams kicked the Chiefs explosion off by scoring on a 17-yard touchdown reception, he went on to finish with 68-total yards and three total touchdowns.
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