Tennessee Titans: Reasons for optimism and concern vs. Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 24: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during pre-game warm ups, prior to a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 11: Tajae Sharpe #19 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots with teamamtes at Nissan Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Optimism: Titans seem to rise to the occasion

We’ve seen a trend the last few years with the Titans when it comes to playing opponents that are superior to them. It always seems Tennessee rises to the occasion when faced with a particularly difficult opponent, and the Chiefs certainly qualify as such this week.

In 2018, for example, four of the Titans’ nine wins were in some of their toughest matchups. Tennessee beat the Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots, all of which were playoff teams. In fact, the Titans smacked the eventual Super Bowl champion Patriots, 34-10.

This trend has led to even more frustration when fans see the Titans not play up to standards against seemingly equal or lesser teams. With the deck stacked against them, it would be typical Titans if they somehow found a way to win against the Chiefs.

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