Final score: Titans steal a 35-32 win over the Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs took over at the Tennessee Titans 32-yard line with less than two minutes left and a 32-27 lead. The offense just needed to ice the game — but they had settle for a 46-yard field goal attempt.

It all went downhill from there. A botched snap the field goal attempt led to intentional grounding and a turnover on downs. The Titans went right down the field and took a 3-point lead. The offense miraculously set Harrison Butker up for a 52-yard field goal, but the kick was blocked and the Titans pulled out a win.

Starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes started his return with a good-looking opening drive that was capped by a 3-yard shovel pass touchdown to tight end Travis Kelce.

On the following drive, the defense started out hot with a strip-sack by Chris Jones that was recovered at the Tennessee 20.

A penalty-riddled Chiefs possession led to a 30-yard field goal by Harrison Butker to take an early 10-0 lead.

The Titans brought the score within three points on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Tannehill to tight end Anthony Firkser in the second quarter. After a decent start to the following Chiefs drive, running back Damien Williams fumbled a carry that resulted in a 53-yard return for a score by Tennessee linebacker Rashaan Evans to make the score 13-10.

The Chiefs were able to get a field goal before halftime to tie the game at 13.

After the defense forced a three-and-out from the Titans to open the second half, the Chiefs took the ball right down the field and scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tyreek Hill. A missed extra point by Butker made the score 19-13.

The Titans immediately answered, taking a 20-19 lead with a 68-yard touchdown run by running back Derrick Henry two plays into their next drive. The Chiefs regained the lead with a field-goal and took a 22-20 lead late in the third quarter.

On a third down early in the fourth quarter, Mahomes avoided pressure in the pocket by jumping and throwing at the same time to Mecole Hardman — who took it 63 yards for his fifth touchdown of the season.

A long touchdown drive from the Titans was capped off by a Derrick Henry one-yard touchdown run to cut the Chiefs lead to two. Mahomes led the offense to the 21 yard-line — but they had to settle for a field goal that extended the lead to 32-27.

Tennessee tried to engineer a drive to take a late lead — but the Chiefs forced them to turn the ball over on downs. The offense had to settle for a field goal attempt, but a botched snap on the field goal attempt led to intentional grounding on Colquitt’s pass attempt and great field position for the Titans offense.

Starting from their one 39, Tennessee proceeded to drive down the field with big chunk plays — ending in a 23-yard touchdown pass to Adam Humphries. A converted two-point attempt gave Tennessee a 35-32 lead.

The Chiefs had eighteen seconds from their own 38-yard line to get into field goal range — and Mahomes made a few big throws to set up a 52-yard field goal attempt to tie. The kick was blocked — and time expired.

The Chiefs had multiple injury scares today. Tight end Blake Bell briefly left the game with an ankle injury in the first quarter. Tyreek Hill looked to have hurt his shoulder again — but came back in the game immediately. Right tackle Mitchell Schwartz missed the first snaps of his career with a knee injury before halftime but returned to the game in the second half. Right guard Martinas Rankin went down with an ugly knee injury in the second quarter and did not return.

Stats of note

Patrick Mahomes returned with 36 completions on 50 attempts for 446 yards, three touchdowns and zero turnovers. He was sacked twice.

After the run defense was praised for performing well in recent games, they gave up 207 yards on 25 carries for a rate of 8.3 yards an attempt. The lowlight was the 68-yard scoring run by Henry — one of two rushing touchdowns allowed.

Tyreek Hill finished with eleven catches for 157 yards and a touchdown . Travis Kelce accumulated 75 yards on seven receptions and a score. Mecole Hardman’s only target and catch went 65 yards for a score.

The Chiefs pass defense allowed Ryan Tannehill to earn a 133.9 passer rating with 13/19 passing, 181 yards and two touchdowns. They did get to him with four sacks.

Rapid reaction

The Chiefs enjoyed the return of their MVP quarterback — and did not think twice about his health. Mahomes dropped back a season-high 50 times and made the same unreal throws Chiefs fans have grown accustomed to. He once again did a great job spreading the wealth — although Hill had a second-consecutive week of incredible production and led the team in targets by ten.

The defense showed weaknesss against the run after a better performance in Week 9 — which is discouraging, considering the Titans offensive line is not particularly good. The defense was at its worst in the fourth quarter. They let Ryan Tannehill go right down the field and take the lead. The special teams unit deserves a lot of blame as well — but the Chiefs collectively blew this very winnable game.