Sunday’s slate of the NFL schedule concludes with the Kansas City Chiefs (5-2, 2-1 home) hosting the Tennessee Titans (5-2, 3-1 away) in an AFC showdown between two powerhouses. The conference clash will be the only meeting between the two teams this season.
The kickoff for Sunday’s contest is at 8:20 p.m. EST inside GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City is a 12.5-favorite, and the over/under total is 46.0 points.
What to Know – Tennessee Titans
The Titans managed to win five in a row after losing their first two contests of the season, including three wins on the road. Tennessee sits at the top of the division as the only NFL team with a winning record and a two-game lead over the Indianapolis Colts.
Starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill missed last week’s contest with an ankle injury and is questionable for Sunday night’s showdown. If Tannehill can’t go, rookie Malik Willis will log his second start under center. Willis was 6-for-10 for 60 yards in his debut.
Without Tannehill under center, the Titans leaned on Derrick Henry and the running game. Henry eclipsed 200 yards on the ground for the first time this season, rushing 32 times for 219 yards and two touchdowns.
Wide receiver Robert Woods joined the Titans franchise in the offseason and immediately became the team’s No. 1 following the departure of A.J. Brown. Woods leads the team catching 22 passes for 256 yards and one touchdown. Backup running back Dontrell Hillard leads the Titans with three passing scores.
What to Know – Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City was off last week but entered the bye week off a 44-23 throttling of the San Francisco 49ers. The Chiefs are also atop their respective division, leading the AFC West by one game.
The Chiefs’ offense is engineered by All-Pro quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes has thrown for 2,159 yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. The sixth-year pro is completing 66.9% of his throws and has added 113 yards rushing.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the team’s leading rusher, but rookie Isiah Pacheco has cut into the share of carries. Edwards-Helaire has carried the ball 65 times for 288 yards and three touchdowns, while Pacheco has added 39 attempts for 192 yards and one TD.
With no Hill, tight end Travis Kelce has become an even bigger focal point of the Chiefs’ passing attack offensively. Kelce has found the endzone seven times, leading the team with 47 receptions and 553 yards through the air. Former Pittsburgh Steelers’ wideout Juju Smith-Schuster is second on the team hauling in 34 passes for 494 yards and two scores.
The Pick is In
A lot depends on the health of Tannehill and if he is going to be able to play Sunday night. At this time, he is truly a game-time decision but doing everything he can to suit up.
If he can’t go, the Titans are going to struggle to put up points, even against a sluggish KC defense. Kansas City, on the other hand, will get theirs, but the Titans are holding opponents to under 20 points per game, so don’t expect the Chiefs to light up the scoreboard.
The Pick: Tennessee Titans/Kansas City Chiefs UNDER 45.5
