Chiefs lead Titans 17-10 at halftime
The Kansas City Chiefs are leading the Tennessee Titans 17-10 at halftime on Friday night at Arrowhead Stadium. Most fans and pundits look to the third preseason game to get a glimpse of what the regular season holds, and if that is the case, look out for the Chiefs.
Despite the relatively close score at halftime, there has been nothing close about this game. Kansas City’s first-team offense has been much-maligned throughout the preseason through the first two weeks, but it is firing on all cylinders.
Alex Smith absolutely tore through Tennessee’s defense, completing 16-of-18 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns in less than two quarters. Smith’s main target was Jeremy Maclin, who caught seven passes on as many targets for 65 yards and a score. Travis Kelce was the recipient of the other touchdown, cashing in from eight yards away.
Kansas City went eight plays and 80 yards to begin the game and took a 6-0 lead. After forcing Tennessee to punt after only one first down, the Chiefs drove inside the 5-yard line before settling for a Cairo Santos field goal. After another Titans punt, the Chiefs drove 81 yards on seven plays and finished with a Charcandrick West two-point conversion, making the score 17-0.
Tennessee was finally able to get on the board with a 10-play, 66-yard drive which resulted in a Ryan Succop field goal. After Aaron Murray came in to replace Smith, the second-year quarterback tossed a brutal pick at midfield to Perrish Cox. The Titans were able to capitalize, going seven plays and 43 yards to cut the lead to seven.
Overall, Kansas City looked tremendous. Smith was hitting everyone all over the field, Maclin looks like the receiver this team has been missing for 40 years, and even Jamaal Charles got into the act with 41 total yards on three carries and a reception. The only reported injury was a shoulder problem with Albert Wilson, although it does not appear serious (Wilson is still on the sideline in pads).
All told, the Chiefs put up 229 yards of offense in the first half.