Here is who national experts predict will win KC Chiefs at Tennessee Titans game
It’s been a tough week for the Chiefs and their fans.
After losing to the Chargers last week, the Chiefs learned they’d been eliminated from playoff contention and quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Ah, but the season continues. The Chiefs will face the Titans in Nashville on Sunday in a game with only NFL Draft implications.
Kickoff is at noon on KCTV (Ch. 5) in Kansas City. Kevin Harlan and Trent Green will call the action for the second consecutive week. Here is who 64 national experts think will win.
The Chiefs will win 23-20, says Nick Suss of the Tennessean. This is a snippet of what he wrote: “It’s hard to believe this matchup might even be close. But with Mahomes on crutches, and the Chiefs eliminated from playoff contention, the Titans might have a shot. Expect a close game, and perhaps an ugly game. But don’t put your life’s savings on the upset.”
A 24-16 Chiefs victory is the forecast from the Sporting News’ Bill Bender. Here is part of what he wrote: “Titans quarterback Cam Ward averages 144 passing yards the last two weeks, but he’s taken just one sack with one interception. Where will the Chiefs’ focus be after being eliminated from the playoffs?”
A 20-17 Chiefs win is the prediction from the Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi. This is an excerpt from his story: “The Chiefs were eliminated from playoff contention last week and that wasn’t even the worst news. Patrick Mahomes went down with a torn ACL and that will impact 2026. They’re playing for pride at this point. Gardner Minshew takes over for Mahomes. The lowly Titans have lost 11 straight home games.”
A 20-17 Chiefs win is the forecast from the Arizona Republic’s Jeremy Cluff. This is from his story: “It’s Gardner Minshew time for the Chiefs, with Patrick Mahomes out for the rest of the season with an injury. The Chiefs can beat the Titans with him at QB, but it will be too little, too late for Kansas City.”
Picking the Chiefs are six of seven CBS Sports writers: Pete Prisco, Jared Dubin, Ryan Wilson, John Breech, Tyler Sullivan and Jamey Eisenberg. Picking Tennessee is Dave Richard. Prisco sees a 24-17 final. This is a bit of what he wrote: “The Chiefs have been eliminated from the playoffs and Patrick Mahomes is lost for the season. How focused will they be here? Does it matter. The Titans are bad and Gardner Minshew is more than capable of having a solid game.”
Going with the Chiefs are five of seven Bleacher Report writers: Gary Davenport, Ian Hanford, Wes O’Donnell, Kris Knox and Moe Moton. Picking the Titans are Brad Gagnon and Brent Sobleski. Here is part of what Knox wrote; “I can also see backup quarterback Gardner Minshew trying his hardest to make the most of his opportunity before 2026 free agency. Ultimately, we’ll see the Chiefs take out their frustrations on the Titans in blowout fashion.”
Picking the Chiefs are three of five writers at NFL.com: Ali Bhanpuri (21-17 final score), Dan Parr (17-16), and Tom Blair (20-16). Taking Tennessee: Brooke Cersosimo (19-16) and Gennaro Filice (19-17). Here is a bit of what Parr wrote: “I’m interested to see if they can muster the energy to go on the road and beat a Titans team that should be hungry to kick the reigning AFC champions when they’re down. It doesn’t help matters for Andy Reid that Rashee Rice is in concussion protocol as of this writing. The only thing keeping me from picking Tennessee is Kansas City’s defense. It’s still playing relatively well, despite the team’s downturn, and Steve Spagnuolo should have a plan to make life difficult on rookie Cam Ward.”
Picking the Chiefs are five of six USA Today writers: Jarrett Bell (23-16 final score), Chris Bumbaca (16-15), Nate Davis (20-13), Tyler Dragon (22-20) and Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (26-19). Picking the Titans is Nick Brinkerhoff (23-20).
The Chiefs are the choice for four of the six Sports Illustrated writers: Clare Brennan, Gilberto Manzano, John Pluym and Mitch Goldich. Taking the Titans are Conor Orr and Matt Verderame.
The Chiefs are the choice for seven of the 11 ESPN experts: Stephania Bell, Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Jeremy Fowler, Dan Graziano, Pamela Maldonado and Lindsey Thiry. Taking the Texans are Kalyn Kahler, Moses Moody, Jason Reid and Seth Wickersham
Picking the Titans are four of six Athletic writers: Joe Buscaglia, Nick Kosmider, Chad Graff and Larry Holder. Picking the Chiefs are Austin Mock and Zack Rosenblatt.
Picking the Chiefs are six of the 10 Dallas Morning-News experts: Joey Hayden, Joseph Hoyt, Dana Larson, Craig Miller, Abraham Nudelstejer and Kevin Sherrington. Going with the Titans are Tim Cowlishaw, Damon Marx, Newy Scruggs and Calvin Watkins.
Taking the Chiefs are six of the 10 SB Nation experts: Chet Gresham, Brandon Lee Gowton, Jared Mueller, Ricky O’Donnell, Nick Simon and Matt Warren. Picking the Titans: Mookie Alexander, James Dator, R.J. Ochoa and Mark Schofield.
The Chiefs will win, says Chris Simms of Pro Football Talk. He sees KC prevailing 16-10. Mike Florio believes the Titans will beat the Chiefs 20-17.
This story was originally published December 20, 2025 at 4:12 PM.
