Tennessee Titans: 3 keys to victory over Kansas City Chiefs

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 11: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans looks on from the bench during the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 11: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans looks on from the bench during the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Titans QB, Ryan Tannehill.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 11: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans looks to pass during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Exploit the Chiefs’ Secondary with play action

The Titans are one of the best rushing teams in the NFL this season, but also one of the best offenses in the league since Tannehill has taken over. Most of that is due to Tannehill’s amazing production in play action situations that set up by Henry’s dominance.

Tannehill has revitalized the Titans’ offense since taking over for Marcus Mariota. While Tannehill has been overshadowed in the last two postseason games after throwing for under a 100 yards in each, he has done everything he has been asked to do.

Tannehill came out with amazing precision off of the play action in the divisional round. In the second quarter of last week’s game, the Ravens sold out on a run but Tannehill moved in the pocket to hit a wide open Kalif Raymond in the end zone. The Titans are going to need to create more of that magic in the passing game to hold defenders out of the box.

The Titans’ offense is rolling with great efficiency. Since Tannehill has taken over, the Titans have scored a touchdown on 34.6 percent of drives, the second-best in the NFL. In that same span, Tannehill has driven the Titans to a 31 touchdown to one field goal ratio in the red zone.

In other words, the Titans are deadly when the get inside the 20-yard line.

Tannehill will find more openings down field against a softer Chiefs secondary. The Titans faced three All-Pro cornerbacks in the past two weeks but get some relief this week. That means rookie wideout A.J Brown and Corey Davis will be featured in the offense more.

Brown and Davis are both physical wide receivers that can win one-on-one matchups. Tannehill will look to get them the ball for big plays. The Titans should look to score early and fast to conserve Henry for the second half as much as possible.

If the Titans can attack downfield, the Chiefs will have no answer for the Titans’ offense. If the Titans win this game, I am expecting a big offensive output through the air from Tannehill.