NFL.com and Sporting News picks
Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com: Kansas City (37-27)
Rosenthal’s prediction has the Titans defense putting up almost zero resistance against the high-powered Chiefs offense. In fact, he calls a Tennessee defense that has allowed 25 points in two playoff games and is coming off a contest in which it allowed just 12 points to the No. 1 scoring offense in the NFL this season “mid-level”.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Kansas City (34-27)
Iyer is also rolling with the Chiefs and expects them to put up over 30 points, although he has the final score to within one possession. While Iyer expects Chiefs head coach Andy Reid to play it “conservative at times” he believes KC will turn on the jets in the second half and do enough to beat the upstart Titans.
Tadd Haislop, Sporting News: Kansas City (34-28)
Haislop believes the performances of the Titans’ defense during the first two playoff games involved a little bit of luck, thus he doesn’t think it will carry over against a superior Chiefs offense. He also notes that Mahomes will be more willing to use his legs than he was in Week 10 when returning from injury. Mahomes was the Chiefs’ leading rusher last week.