Instant grades from Kansas City Chiefs’ OT victory vs. Titans: Mahomes wins with volume
The Chiefs survived a wild game with a 20-17 victory in overtime against the Tennessee Titans Sunday night at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chiefs led 9-0, but Tennessee scored the next 17 points. A fourth-quarter rally led by Patrick Mahomes got the Chiefs even, and they won it in OT with Harrison Butker’s 28-yard field goal.
Here’s our report card:
KC STAR OF THE GAME
With his arm and his legs, Patrick Mahomes delivered. His rushing touchdown and carry on a two-point conversion tied the game in the fourth quarter.
His 68 pass attempts marked a career high — by 14. His 446 passing yards matched his third most in a game. Against a rugged Titans defense, Mahomes won this game for the Chiefs.
Next: The Chiefs return to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium to meet the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday. Kickoff is noon, and the game will be broadcast on CBS (Ch. 5).
REPORT CARD
Passing offense: A
The Titans got pressure rushing four. Mahomes and the passing offense eat blitzes for lunch. But when a solid defensive team doesn’t bring extra defenders and gets pressure, the Chiefs can be slowed.
They had no success stretching the field early. Mahomes was sacked four times and harassed into unsuccessful attempts on other occasions.
One of Mahomes’ best passes of the night found Mecole Hardman with enough for a first down on a third-and-16. But the ball bounced off Hardman’s shoulder pads. That was one of six dropped passes for the Chiefs, the most they’ve had in a game since 2009.
And yet, Mahomes won with volume. Like it can be for a baseball pitcher, that right arm will need an ice bath.
Rushing offense: C
Mahomes knows something about getting into the end zone with his legs against Tennessee. His touchdown run in the AFC title game three years ago was one of his signature plays.
Mahomes’ 20-yard run Sunday on third-and-17 kept alive the game-tying touchdown drive. His 14-yard run was the touchdown, and he kept the ball again for the tying two-point conversion.
This was not a game for the running backs. Tennessee has the NFL’s top rushing defense. But sending Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon off tackle wasn’t the way to operate. Still, Edwards-Helaire picked up the key first down on a fourth-and-short late in regulation.
Passing defense: B
The Titans’ first snap was a sign of things to come. Quarterback Malik Willis’ short pass to tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo turned into a 48-yard gain when Leo Chanel, starting in the base defense instead of Darius Harris, didn’t wrap up.
Willis wasn’t going to burn the Chiefs as Ryan Tannehill has in previous games. But he made his throws count. His three first-half completions went for 86 yards. But that was it for Willis, who was sacked on two of the Titans’ final three plays. Carlos Dunlap got 1 1/2 of those sacks, giving him 99 1/2 for his career.
Rushing defense: C
Tip a cap to Derrick Henry and the Titans’ offensive line. Against Tennessee, a team can’t afford to miss tackles or gaps. But that happened too often by the Chiefs, who saw the back of Henry’s No. 22 jersey on several runs in the first half.
But the Chiefs did an excellent job after halftime. Henry had 86 yards at the break but just 29 in the second half and overtime.
Special teams: B
Time to bring back Justin Reid as kicker? Harrison Butker missed an extra point and a 47-yard field goal. But he hit the 28-yarder in overtime for the victory.
There was a nifty punt return play by the Chiefs, who dropped fumble-prone Skyy Moore deep. When the ball was snapped, Justin Watson peeled back, caught the punt and returned it 17 yards.
Hardman has replaced Moore as the punt returner, and he had a good game Sunday night, averaging 10.5 yards on four returns.
This story was originally published November 6, 2022 at 11:07 PM.