NFL - Astounding 2nd half comeback sees Tennessee into divisional game

The Tennessee Titans produced a second half fightback and shocked the Kansas City Chiefs in the opening 2018 play-off game. The AFC South runners-up were 21-3 down at the half, before scoring 19 unanswered points in the second half to upset the Chiefs fans at Arrowhead Stadium. Marcus Mariota passed for over 200 yards, including a touchdown pass to himself, while Running Back Derrick Henry had a career high 156 rushing yards.

Magic Marcus Mariota continued to cause problems for the Kansas City defence.

Kansas City had regained their early season form toward the end of the regular season coming into the post season on the back of four straight victories. They began the game in the same form they finished the season, racing to a 14-0 lead before the end of the first quarter. The first touchdown, a one yard run for Kareem Hunt after big plays from tight-end Travis Kelce and wide receiver Tyreek Hill.  Following a quick three and out, the Chiefs went straight back at it with a 13 yard pass to Travis Kelce.

The Titans had only secured their playoff place as runners up in the AFC South with victory over the Jaguars last weekend, having spluttered toward the end of the regular season. Marcus Mariota finally got his opportunity to get the Titan offence going forward in the second quarter; but Kansas corner Marcus Peters intercepted a pass intended for Delanie Walker inside the Kansas City red zone. 

The Titans were soon back driving forward before a huge sack on 3^rd and 4 just before the two minute warning forced Tennessee to take three. However, the Chiefs continued to work the sideline with Aaron Smith and put together a scoring drive with just 3 seconds left on the clock in the half - Demarcus Robinson finishing a 14 yard pass with neat footwork to get in for the touchdown. The drive was not without its problems for the Chiefs as they lost influential tight end Kelce to a nasty collision resulting in a concussion. However, they led at the half 21-3.

Tennessee needed to score early in the second half, and they duly did. The elusive quarter back, Mariota, rushing for a vital first down on the drive, before receiving his own catch for an 8 yard touchdown to open the half. As Mariota scrambles left and aims a pass towards Corey Davis in the end zone, the ball is deflected back from the Chiefs defence and collected by Mariota himself who dives for the pylon, one of the most fortunate plays you are likely to see.

Shortly afterwards it looked like Tennessee had shot themselves in the foot as a fumbled punt return handed the Chiefs short field. But, unable to keep Hunt or Hill firing like the first half, they were forced to kick a field goal which bounced off the left upright and away. As the fourth quarter began Derrick Henry scored a touchdown with an electric 35 yard run through the middle of the Kansas defence. Tennessee elected for the two point conversion to get the score within three, but an unorganised attempt left them 21-16 down with 14 minutes still to play.

With Kansas receivers falling to convert for Aaron Smith it gave Tennessee the opportunity to drive for the lead for the first time in the game. Once again, Marcus Mariota starred in the game winning drive, scrambling as the pocket collapsed for a 25 yard rush, before threading a 22 yard pass into the end zone for Eric Decker to give the Titans a 22-21 lead. Again, an unorganised 2 point conversion failed, giving Kansas the chance to drive to regain the lead.

The Kansas drive led to a 4^th and 9 attempt but was broken up by a rejuvenated Titan defence with just 2 minutes left on the clock. The Chiefs thought they had earned themselves a reprieve as a fumble was returned to the house, but was brought back as the runner was clearly down by contact before the ball was stripped. It created a 3^rd and 10 for Tennessee where a conversion would see them enter victory formation. The two Titan stars combined as Derrick Henry rushed left for 20 yards aided by a crucial block by none other than, quarter-back Marcus Mariota.

The result stunned the passionate fans at Arrowhead stadium as the Chiefs gave up a 21-3 lead at the half. The Titans owe a huge amount to their defensive players who continuously stopped Kansas in the second half, as well as the elusive and dynamic running of Derrick Henry and the, at times, uncontainable Marcus Mariota. Many will have written off the Titans at the half, but the fightback will give pause for thought for either New England or Pittsburgh in the Divisional round next weekend. The Titans, led by the magic of Marcus Mariota are not to be underestimated.