The Kansas City Chiefs were riding high in their Wildcard Weekend match-up against the Tennessee Titans.  The Chiefs dominated throughout the first half, and had the game ended there the Chiefs would be moving on to the second round. However, the Chiefs blew an eighteen-point lead, and have a lot to think about heading into the offseason.

In the first half the Titans had no answer for the Chiefs passing attack. Quarterback Alex Smith completed 23 of 33 passes for 236 yards, and was able to throw two touchdown passes to star Tight End Travis Kelce.

Kelce was a very effective weapon against the Titans, Kelce would not finish the game as he was knocked out late in the second quarter with a concussion. As a result of that injury the Chiefs were not able to have an effective passing attack.

The Titans were able to score 19 unanswered points in the second half. The Titans showed tremendous heart during the game. They were led by Marcus Mariota.

Mariota had a very good showing in his playoff debut. Mariota completed 19 of 31 passes for 205 yards, threw two touchdown passes, and committed one turnover.

One of Mariota’s touchdown passes was to himself, his pass was deflected by a Chiefs defender and Mariota alertly caught the ball and ran it in for a touchdown. That easily may be a highlight of Mariota’s young career.

It was not just Mariota though who showed up in the second half, Titans running back Derrick Henry also helped the Chiefs control the game. Henry was   able to get two critical first downs during the final two minutes of the fourth quarter, to seal the game for the Titans.

Henry rushed for 156 yards and scored one touchdown.

Whatever the Titans coaches said to their team during halftime really worked, because the Titans were able to shutout the Chiefs offense during the second half. Now the Titans wait to see if they will go to New England or Pittsburgh next week. After earning a hard-fought victory against the Chiefs, the Patriots and Steelers should view the Titans as a threat.