Key Matchups: Chiefs Vs Titans

Opportunities will be there for the taking when the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tennessee Titans meet on Sunday. Due to injuries, the depth of each squad will be tested once again. How will that affect the game plans of either the Chiefs or the Titans? Plus, can the teams carry things over after they both completed meaningful victories?

Kansas City and Tennessee each win with different styles. Offensively, the team’s greatest strength on each side has extremely favorable matchups against the opposing defense that they will be going up against. Which defensive unit will display a stronger backbone? That remains to be seen.

Which personnel matchups could help one team gain an advantage over the other? Today, we will list our top five key matchups entering Sunday’s game between the Chiefs and the Titans. Let’s kick it off with a battle involving the Kansas City front seven.

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Derrick Henry Vs Chiefs Front Seven

Derrick Henry has been the NFL’s best running back for a long while. However, he continues to dominate and will not slow down. Henry already has rushed for 10 touchdowns, including three games with three rushing touchdowns. He has also ran for at least 113 rushing yards or more in five of the first six games of the season. More importantly for the Titans, his style of running is an extremely positive aspect for Tennessee, if they are going to win this game.

Henry’s speed once he hits the open field is otherworldly. Especially, when you consider his size (6’3’’, 247 pounds). Add in his field vision, broken tackle ability and power, and you can easily keep defenses on their heels.

The Chiefs run defense has struggled at times this season to take proper angles, recognize play flow and complete tackles in crucial moments. That improved last week in Washington. Not only were tackles more secure, but they left the Washington ball carriers bruised and battered. Kansas City also worked hard to keep runs contained to the inside. This led to a fumble forced by Mike Danna on one play in particular.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs were able to put the pressure on Washington’s offense. They felt the need to rely on the passing game as the game went on. If Henry gets rolling however, he can usually get even more impressive as the game gets deeper. His rushing ability can also put more stress on the opposing defense, by opening up the Titans offense even further.

Titans Wide Receivers Vs Chiefs Secondary

The health of Tennessee wide receivers AJ Brown and Julio Jones remains a question mark. They each missed Wednesday’s practice, as Brown had an illness and Jones continues to work through a hamstring injury.

The Titans possess a solid mix of speed and physical prowess within their receiving corps. Brown is a technician as a route runner. Jones can push the play vertically, which is something Kansas City has struggled with this season. Moreover, guys like Chester Rogers and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine have continued to improve as the season has grown. That duo already has the quickness. But, their ability to find and sit in zones, while also playing bigger than their size indicates, pairs well with a quarterback like Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill has a great feel for attacking on crossing routes and in the intermediate part of the field.

Having the quickness of Juan Thornhill on the field for every defensive snap got the Chiefs secondary back to a comfortable state last week. With him staying over the top of routes, Tyrann Mathieu was able to move around the defensive formation. He played more in the box and in the slot than he has in a long while. It was much overdue. On the other hand, Rashad Fenton and L’Jarius Sneed have been tight in coverage, making plays at the catch point and have remained calm when dropping back. Carrying over that confidence and communicating well with each other will be major against the Titans on Sunday.

Chiefs Offensive Line Vs Titans Pass Rush

This week, the Chiefs offensive line will face a similar pass rush from last week, from a stylistic perspective. Tennessee lines up with three down linemen in their base defense. You also have to be aware of how many rushers are coming from a stand up position.

The player who leads the way for the Titans pass rush is Harold Landry. Routinely one of the most forgotten about pass rushers in the league, the Boston College product wins with pure speed off of the edge. He has steadily improved with converting speed to power and with hand counters as well. Landry is currently tied for the third most sacks in the league among players (6.5 sacks). The rest of the starters all bring a strong presence to the fold. Tennessee’s trio of Bud Dupree, Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry are also very disciplined.

Kansas City will face a similar challenge this week as they did in Washington. There appears to be no limit on how much freedom the Titans pass rushers have to switch gaps. This comes from plenty of stunts or twists. Furthermore, the Chiefs blockers will be forced to play more man blocking schemes, rather than zone blocking schemes.

Travis Kelce Vs Kevin Byard

Travis Kelce fought hard to play through ailments last week in Washington. Even still, he finished with eight catches, 99 receiving yards and 12.38 yards per catch. The Chiefs were also boosted by him and Patrick Mahomes getting back on the same page. Kelce had his highest catch percentage (72.7 percent) in a single game since Week Two at Baltimore.

This week, Kelce’s focus and sure hands will be facing a stingy matchup in safety Kevin Byard. The Middle Tennessee State product flashes ball-hawking ability, physicality and sneaky quickness on the backend. Byard’s play recognition, instincts and patience will be the part that will challenge the Chiefs passing attack and Kelce the most.

With Byard being on top of everything, combined with him having to be even more perfect because of a horrid secondary, Kansas City must be aware to get the ball to Kelce quickly in the route. Let him show off his ability to make people miss after the catch. Moreover, the Chiefs cannot wait too long or put too much air under it when throwing at Byard. Kelce can find the soft spots as good as any tight end. Though, Byard’s ability to bait throws into traffic have become commonplace.

Darrel Williams Vs Titans Linebackers

Darrel Williams brought a fierce attitude to the fold last week. That was perfect for a Kansas City offensive line that has had no problem being road graders in the rushing attack this season. The significant push upfront allowed Williams opportunities to cut runs back across the formation, or even allowed him to hit the hole quickly.

Williams has proven to be a direct running back. He will not waste time dancing in the open field. To boot, Williams enjoys the chance to run somebody over on the opposite side.

Titans linebackers David Long Jr., Rashaan Evans and Monty Rice have all had up and down campaigns so far this season. When they have faced tougher, hard nosed runners like Williams, the results have been mixed. Tackles are broken more often. Failure to trigger downhill quickly has also stuck out. Will the Tennessee linebackers show a more relentless effort Sunday against the Chiefs running game?

Be on the lookout for our game preview article and podcast episode on Friday. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.