Chiefs-Titans players to watch: You know about Mahomes, Henry. Here are some others
You know the stars who’ll be lined up at Arrowhead Stadium for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game, guys like Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry.
Here are a few other players who could have an impact on Sunday’s game.
Titans tight end Jonnu Smith
Did you see Smith’s touchdown reception against the Ravens? That was a thing of beauty: the throw from Ryan Tannehill, Smith’s position on the defender, the one-handed reception and coming down on his backside in the end zone. Smith has 35 receptions this season and he can elevate and run through defenders. He’s stepped up with Delanie Walker, the former Central Missouri standout, out for the season with an ankle injury.
Titans safety Kevin Byard
He’s living up to his contract. Byard became the game’s highest-paid safety when he signed a five-year, $70.5 million extension before this season. He led the Titans and was second in the NFL this season with five interceptions, and he picked off Lamar Jackson early in last week’s Divisional Round victory over the Ravens. Byard also had a season-high 11 tackles in that game and helped hold Baltimore to a season-low 12 points.
Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi
Slowing Derrick Henry won’t be easy for the Chiefs but the effort starts up front with tackles like Nnadi, Khalen Saunders, Mike Pennel, Xavier Williams, and — if he’s healthy — Chris Jones. The tackles have to clog the middle to help stop Henry, the running back who runs with both power and speed. Clips of Bo Jackson and Earl Campbell offer good historical comparisons to Henry, who wears teams down in the second half of games.
Chiefs running back Damien Williams
The Chiefs’ offensive strength isn’t their running game, we all know that. But in Williams, they have a back with a nose for the end zone. And the playoffs have been Williams’ time to shine. In three postseason games, dating to last season, Williams has seven touchdowns: four rushing and three receiving. In last week’s victory over the Texans, he got in the end zone three times (matching KC tight end Travis Kelce). Williams’ career playoff totals of seven overall touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns are Chiefs records.