Chiefs defeat Titans 35-24: Complete game summary

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Tennessee Titans 35-24 in the AFC championship game at Arrowhead Stadium, advancing to Super Bowl LIV in Miami to face the NFC champion.

OFFENSE

First half

First drive: The Chiefs started the game with a 2-yard scramble from Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes took a 2-yard sack on second down forcing the Chiefs to face 3rd-and-10. Travis Kelce dropped the would be third down conversion and the Chiefs elected to punt.

Second drive: Mahomes started the drive with a 9-yard pass to Damien Williams. Then Williams gained a first down with a 3-yard run, which was followed by a 26-yard pass to Tyreek Hill. After two incomplete passes, an 8-yard third-down pass to Kelce wasn’t enough for a first down. The Chiefs went for it on fourth-and-2, converting with a 4-yard pass to Kelce. Mecole Hardman took a jet sweep pass for eight yards. A holding penalty on the Titans gave the Chiefs goal-to-go. Hill took a jet sweep pass eight yards for a touchdown. Chiefs 7, Titans 10

Third drive: The Chiefs started the drive with a Williams for no gain. Demarcus Robinson caught a pass for 24 yards and Sammy Watkins caught another for 13 yards to put the Chiefs into the red zone. Two plays later, Mahomes completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Hill. Chiefs 14, Titans 17

Fourth drive: Mahomes started the drive with a 17-yard pass to Williams. After a completion to Williams and Hill, the Chiefs faced 3rd-and-4 and converted with an 18-yard pass to Kelce. Mahomes scrambled for seven yards, but threw an incompletion on the next play. The Chiefs faced 3rd-and-3 and converted with an 11-yard pass to Watkins. Mahomes scrambled for 27 yards and a touchdown. Chiefs 21 Titans 17

Second half

Fifth drive: The Chiefs started the drive with a 7-yard catch from Williams. After an incomplete pass and a 7-yard catch by Robinson, the Chiefs faced 3rd-and-3. Mahomes completed a 4-yard pass to Watkins to convert. After back-to-back incompletions, the Chiefs faced 3rd-and-10 later in the drive and couldn’t convert. The Chiefs elected to punt.

Sixth drive: The Chiefs started the drive with a 6-yard run by Williams. The Chiefs quickly faced third down after another run from Williams of three yards, but converted with a 5-yard run from the running back. After another run from Williams, and a 7-yard pass to Watkins, the Chiefs faced third down again and converted with a 4-yard scramble by Mahomes. Mahomes scrambled again a few plays later for 11 yards. Hill caught a pass for 15 yards to give the Chiefs goal to go, and Williams ran it in for a 3-yard touchdown a couple of plays later. Chiefs 28 Titans 17

Seventh drive: The Chiefs started the drive with a 1-yard run by Williams. Watkins got the first down on the following play with an 11-yard catch. After a 5-yard run by Williams, Mahomes completed another pass to Watkins for seven yards. After a short run and a 3-yard catch by Williams, the Chiefs faced 3rd-and-6 and Mahomes completed a 60-yard pass to Watkins for a touchdown. Chiefs 35 Titans 17

Eighth drive: The Chiefs started the drive with a Williams run for no gain. After Mahomes was sacked on second down, the Chiefs made a first down on a pass interfence call on third-and-11. After a couple of short runs from Williams, the Chiefs could not convert on third-and-9 and and punted.

Ninth drive: The Chiefs kneeled to end the game

DEFENSE

First half

First drive: The Titans started the game with a 4-yard carry from Derrick Henry. Ryan Tannehill then completed a 37-yard pass to A.J. Brown to put the Titans into field goal range. Tannehill then completed a 12-yard pass, putting the Titans into the red zone. After a short run and an incomplete pass, the Titans faced their first third down of the game and could not convert, settling for a field goal. Chiefs 0, Titans 3

Second drive: Henry started the drive with Henry runs of 11 and five yards. Then Brashaud Breeland nearly intercepted Tannehil on a deep pass attempt. Two offsides penalties gave the Titans a first down and 10 yards. After two short runs from Henry, the Titans failed to convert on third down again. Going for it on fourth down, they converted with a 3-yard pass to Humphries. Jonnu Smith caught a 22-yard pass to give the Titans goal-to-go. On the net play, Henry ran it in for a 4-yard touchdown. Chiefs 0, Titans 10

Third drive: MyCole Puitt took a pass for nine yards to start the drive. After a false start penalty, Tannehil completed an 18-yard pass. Henry ran for 13 yards to put the Titans into Chiefs territory. After an incomplete pass and a short run from Henry, the Titans faced third-and-7; an offsides penalty and a 5-yard pass to Humphries gave the Titans enough to convert. A 5-yard run by Henry and a 9-yard completion by Tannehil got the Titans into the red zone. After a holding penalty backed them up, the Titans two yards on a pass and had an incompletion that put them in third-and-22, converted on a pass interference penalty. After three runs, the Titans had goal-to-go and completed a pass to offensive lineman Dennis Kelly for a touchdown. Titans 17, Chiefs 7

Fourth drive: The Titans started the drive with a 1-yard run from Henry, quickly followed by a another run for no gain. The Titans couldn’t convert on third down and punted.

Fifth drive: With seconds remaining, the Titans kneeled to end the half.

Second half

Sixth drive: Henry started the drive with a 3-yard run. After an incomplete pass, the Titans faced third-and-7 and converted with an 8-yard pass to Humphries. After a couple of short runs from Henry and a holding penalty, the Titans faced third down yet again, failing to convert with a short scramble by Tannehil. The Titans punted.

Seventh drive: Tannehill started the drive with a 15-yard completion. After a completion to Henry for a loss of two yards and a short completion to Brown, the Titans failed to convert on third-and-7 as a result of a Tanoh Kpassagnon sack. The Titans elected to punt.

Eighth drive: Starting the drive with a pass to Henry for for a 6-yard loss and an incompletion, the Titans faced third-and-16 and fell short after an 8-yard completion. But then they faked a punt and converted with a 28-yard pass . Tannehill followed by completing passes of eight and 22 yards to put the Titans into the red zone. Kpassagnon started the next set of downs with a sack, but the Titans scored on the very next play with a 22-yard pass. Titans 24, Chiefs 35

Ninth drive: The drive started with a hands to the face penalty on Chris Jones, adding five yards to a 6-yard Tannehil scramble. After a short completion and an two incomplete passes, the Titans went for it on fourth down and Frank Clark ended the drive with a sack.

SPECIAL TEAMS

• Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman returned a kick 35 yards in the second quarter.
• Hardman fumbled a punt return in the second quarter, but the Chiefs recovered it.

INJURIES

• Titans LB Rashaan Evans left the game in the first quarter and was questionable to return

STATISTICS