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Titans vs. Chiefs: Reasons for optimism and concern for Tennessee

By Michael Moraitis

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans delivers a stiff arm during a touchdown carry during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Nissan Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeats Kansas City 35-32. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans delivers a stiff arm during a touchdown carry during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Nissan Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeats Kansas City 35-32. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 29: Mecole Hardman #17 of the Kansas City Chiefs joined Kansas City Chiefs fans in the lower level after his 104-yard kick return for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – DECEMBER 29: Mecole Hardman #17 of the Kansas City Chiefs joined Kansas City Chiefs fans in the lower level after his 104-yard kick return for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

Concern: Playing at Arrowhead

Yes, the Titans have proven they can win playoff games on the road this year and have done so in two of the tougher environments in the NFL. However, playing at Arrowhead Stadium is a different animal entirely.

The Chiefs’ home stadium might be the loudest building in the NFL. Then add in the fact that this is a playoff game with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line and you have a situation in which the crowd will be absolutely raucous for this contest.

Tennessee getting off to a fast start will be vital in taking the crowd out of this game at least somewhat, but then again the Texans got off to a 24-0 lead and Chiefs fans were still very much involved.

Things could get tricky for the Titans in Arrowhead. It’ll be harder for Ryan Tannehill and the offense to  operate with all the noise, and that’s on top of already feeling a ton of pressure from the big moment that Tennessee is in.

But, as they say, defense and rushing attacks travel well, and the Titans have both of those things. Furthermore, Titans fans are expected to make up 25 percent of the crowd on Sunday, which is the biggest percentage of road fans of any 2020 playoff game and should help counteract the noise.

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