Wild Card 2018 Tennessee Vs Kansas City

Derrick Johnson's reaction after seeing the Replay

TITANS vs CHIEFS

Before the game began, my original pick was Kansas City. I felt Alex Smith being the seasoned veteran was going to be the better QB in this situation. 

While he played very well in the game, Unfortunately, I was wrong. Marcus Mariota came out in the beginning looking a shade green, but that slowly changed. Mariota took the Titans down the field on a drive that lasted over 8 minutes. The drive ended with the 2nd greatest self-pass to one self.  Mariota threw the ball, but it was tipped by the Chiefs defender (Darrelle Revis) and Mariota had the presence to grab the pass and take it into the end zone for Tennessee’s 1^st touchdown. While a good play, the more I've watch the replay, the more I have questioned it (and of course you are the final judge) if his foot was slightly over the line of scrimmage.  

(Brad Johnson was the first in 1997 against the Carolina to throw a TD to himself in the same manner of a tipped pass.) 

This was all Tennessee need to get going, because they held Kansas City from scoring in the 2^nd half.

Peter's got lucky in the 4th quarter, as he picked up the wrong receiver and coverage and nearly blew a touchdown. It really didn't matter though, because on the following play Eric Decker called a strike over the middle for a touchdown. Overall, for the fans that have questioned him, He played a pretty good game. He played with control and you saw his passion to get the ball back on the Henry strip (Henry was already down so it was reversed).

The only problem I had with Tennessee is they went for two points when in my opinion, I didn’t think they really needed. The 1^st time now that I look at the scenario was up for debate.

Scenarios:

If they make it, they are only down a field goal to tie, but taking the extra point and you’re down 2 scores. Taking the extra point slightly made more since because if Kansas City would have scored a field goal, Tennessee could have marched down the field to score a game tying touchdown leading us to a potential overtime shoot out if no time remained in the 4^th quarter.

When they scored again to take the lead 22-21, I understand the attempt at 2 points to try and go up 3, however they would have been in the driver seat had they taken the first extra point.

(That’s just my 98¢)

Demetrius Harris (Chiefs Tight End) made some mistakes throughout the game, and the hold on him was questionable.... A phantom call in my opinion. Big 3rd down catch on a drive but, unfortunately, it wasn't enough...

Hell of a job by Marcus Mariota, and it's great to have an option 1A in Derrick Henry to fall back on throughout these playoffs. Great job by you both gentlemen. Mariota help seal the win by giving a nice block on the Kansas City Defender to allow Derrick Henry to get the first down on 3rd down, allowing the Titans to run out the clock.

For my Kansas City Chiefs fans, please understand that this had nothing to do with Alex Smith. He played a great game and in this case the better man just won the game. Smith lost his top receiver Travis Kelce and there were a few drops to be considered that may have extended some drives and led to scores.

Congratulations Tennessee. Let's see what you can do in the next round.

TEAMS	Scoring by Quarter				Final Score
	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
Tennessee Titans	0	3	7	12	22
Kansas City Chiefs	14	7	0	0	21

^{tennessee held kansas city scoreless in the 2nd half…..}

Key player Stats:

Tennessee Titans

               #8 Mariota    19/31 205yds 2TDS 1 Int        8 carries 46yds

               #22 Henry   23 carries 156yds TD    2 receptions 35yds… (Over 100 rushing in the 2^nd half)

               #82 Walker 6 receptions 74yds

               #91 Morgan 2 Tackles and 1 sack

               #96 Williams 2 Tackled and 1 sack

               #31 Byrd 6 Total Tackles

Kansas City

               #12 Smith    24/33 264yds 2TDS 0 Int      4 carries 13yds

               #27 Hunt   11 carries 42yds

               #10 Hill   7 receptions 87yds     1 carry 14yds

               #87 Kelce   4 receptions 66yds TD (injured in the game right before the 2^nd half)

               #56 Johnson 8 Total Tackles 1 sack 

               #59 Ragland 9 Total Tackles

Henry indicating he was down. Peters ripped the ball from Henry and Johnson scored on the play, but Henry was down by contact