Four winners and four losers in the Chiefs’ 35-32 loss to the Titans

The Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Tennessee Titans 35-32 on Sunday when a game-tying field goal was blocked in the game’s final seconds.

Here are four winners and three losers from the game.

Winners

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• Travis Kelce had seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown — and he could have had more. The Chiefs tight end had another touchdown reception called back on a penalty and yet another sail just out of his reach. There’s a reason he’s considered the best in the league — and he showed it again on Sunday.
• Patrick Mahomes had a pretty solid return, putting up 446 yards and three touchdowns. Among the most memorable plays was a ridiculous jump pass to Mecole Hardman that turned into a 63-yard touchdown. Late in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs quarterback got the team in position to get back in the game, but they weren’t able to close it out.
• Tyreek Hill had 11 catches on 19(!) targets for 157 yards and a touchdown. The league’s best receiver continues to make the tough catches to go along with the big plays.
• Chris Jones continues to be disruptive, with two more sacks and a forced fumble in the loss; the fumble was a pivotal play in the first half.

Losers

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• The Chiefs run defense only matters when it matters — and on Sunday, it mattered. Derek Henry had a monster game, with 188 yards and two touchdowns. The Titans offensive line was opening up huge lanes for Henry — especially as the second half wore on; Henry is just not the type of back you want to let get going. Early on, it felt like the Chiefs could contain him, but Henry’s 68-yard touchdown run seemed to sap the life out of them.
• James Winchester is rarely mentioned. Long snappers don’t tend to draw attention. The job is a thankless one; they are simply expected to be perfect. With the game was on the line in the fourth quarter, Winchester’s snap on a field goal attempt was early and bad — making it impossible for Harrison Butker to get a kick off. Then Dustin Colquitt threw the ball away and was called for intentional grounding. The Chiefs could have gone up eight points. Instead, they led by five — which opened the door for the Titans to win the game.
• Dave Toub’s unit was supposed to be a strength of the team — but lately it has felt frustratingly bad. Punts fielded inside the five, fumbles and penalties have been an issue all season. Against the Titans, special teams added a bad field goal snap and a blocked field goal in the final seconds.
• The Chiefs offensive line came into the game with two backups starting. Then the big uglies lost Martinas Rankin to what may be a significant knee injury. Even ironman Mitch Schwartz missed time with an injury — but he did return to the game. While Mahomes was only sacked twice, he was under duress more than he should have been. This unit is going to need serious reinforcements in the coming weeks.