The Chiefs figured the Titans were going to hit the ground running, both literally and figuratively. It was a no-brainer, really. Given the way their opponents blazed the starts of set-tos against the Patriots in the wild card game and the Ravens in the divisional round, they knew the same determined effort would challenge them from the get-go yesterday. And, true enough, they were greeted by a ground attack starring Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry, who put up 32 yards in the first two series that netted 10 points. With 5:52 still left in the first quarter, they were already down by double digits.
The Chiefs would persevere, though. They wound up surviving the initial salvo, and even when their ensuing touchdown was matched by the Titans, courtesy of 29 more yards from Henry, they remained confident of their chances to prevail. After all, they firmly believed they had the superior roster. From wunderkind Patrick Mahomes to such notables as Damien Williams and Sammy Watkins, they possessed the offense to match a vaunted coverage slated to provide them with ample more opportunities. And, as things turned out, they were right.
By the time the first half ended, the Chiefs had the advantage. Fittingly, their first taste of the lead came care of Mahomes, who skirted the left sideline on the way to a spectacular 27-yard touchdown run with 11 seconds to spare in the second period. From then on, it was a matter of staying ahead — which they did with aplomb by scoring on their second, third, and fourth drives of the second half. The Titans never recovered, with Henry restricted to seven yards and quarterback Ryan Tannehill unable to turn to other weapons with consistency to keep pace.
Up next for the Chiefs: their first Super Bowl appearance since 1970 and just the third all told since they were established nearly 61 years ago. Needless to say, they’re keen on making good, never mind their relative inexperience in the sport’s grandest stage. And who’s to say they can’t follow through? With Mahomes at the helm and head coach Andy Reid bent on moving past a final-game defeat in 2004, the Vince Lombardi Trophy may yet be in their grasp when all is said and done.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
