The No 6. seed Tennesse Titans travel to Kansas City, Missouri Sunday, looking to upset the heavily favored Chiefs in the AFC championship game. The game is set to kickoff at 1:05 p.m. MST.
Denver Sports Betting is here to preview the action.
The Titans are seeking to return the Super Bowl for the first time since 1999, which is when Kevin Dyson infamously came up one-yard short of the game-winning touchdown.
The Chiefs haven’t been to the Super Bowl in 50+ years (1969). They fell short last season when Tom Brady and the Patriots defeated them in overtime during the AFC championship game.
These two squads matched up earlier in the season (week 10), with the Titans earning a 35-32 upset victory. The Chiefs out-gained the Titans in that game and dominated time of possession.
The Titans defense gave up plenty of yards but was able to hold the Chiefs to five field-goal attempts, which kept the game close. The game-deciding play came when Rashaan Evans of the Titans returned a fumble 53-yards for a touchdown.
In the betting world, the Chiefs are -7 favorites and 63% of public money is heading towards Kansas City ATS. The over/under set at 52 per the Action Network and 55% of public bets are going towards the over.
This game features two teams with contrasting styles of play. The Chiefs are an explosive team that can score multiple touchdowns in five or fewer total plays per possession.
The Titans are a smash-mouth bunch, that control the clock by running the football and converting on 3rd and short. Last week, Tennesse manipulated the game into their favor and wound up destroying the Baltimore Ravens.
Typically, whenever the Chiefs are playing, the over is usually a safe bet, but the Titans’ defense has proved to be a force to be reckoned with this postseason. Sunday’s game is sure to cause some problems for Patrick Mahomes and company, which makes the under an intriguing play, although the number has dropped steadily after being at 53.
The Chiefs are 13-4 in straight bets, 11-5-1 ATS and 9-8 against the O/U. The Titans possess an 11-7 record in straight bets, 11-7 ATS and 10-8 against the O/U. Both teams are above .500 in all three categories, which makes this game somewhat unpredictable if you’re purely looking at the betting statistics.
Both the Chiefs and Titans also come into this game relatively healthy, with just a few players listed on the injury report.
LeSean McCoy is the only player listed on the Chiefs’ report with an illness. He is questionable to play.
Star defensive tackle Chris Jones did not play during the divisional round against the Texans with a lingering calf injury, but he returned to practice Friday and is looking to give it a go.
The Titans are dealing with slightly more injury concerns. Adoree Jackson, Jack Conklin, and Rashaan Evans are all nursing minor injuries that are classified as questionable to play Sunday.
Derrick Henry of the Titans has been the vital cog in Tennessee’s two upset road victories this postseason. Henry, at 6’3, 230+lbs, is a freight train running through the line and is almost impossible to tackle one-on-one in the open field.
Henry became the first running back in league history to rush for over 175 yards in back-to-back playoff games. Henry is also the only player in league history to run for 1,200-yards and ten touchdowns over an eight-game span, which he accomplished this regular season.
The Titans have played the role of spoiler this postseason, beating the Patriots and top-seeded Ravens on the road after barely squeaking into the playoffs at 9-7. Henry and the Titans peaked at the right point in the season and are one game away from another upset victory.
Kansas City was nearly upset themselves last weekend as they had to come back from a large first-half deficit against the Houston Texans. Houston amassed a 24-0 lead before Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense woke up.
The Chiefs went on to score five consecutive touchdowns, including a 51-7 blowout during the 2nd half. Mahomes threw for 321-passing yards and five touchdowns in the 51-31 victory. Tight end Travis Kelce had a huge game, catching 10 balls for 134-yards and three touchdowns. Running back Damien Williams kicked the Chief’s explosion off by scoring on a 17-yard touchdown reception. He went on to finish with 68-total yards and three total touchdowns.
Sunday’s AFC Championship game promises to be a thrilling one between two teams that play on the opposite sides of the spectrum.