Lessons learned from the Chiefs loss to the Titans in Week 10
The Chiefs loss to the Titans in Week 10 should aide them when preparing for the AFC Championship Game. A cautionary tale.
The last time the Kansas City Chiefs played the Tennessee Titans, during Week 10 this season, they came out with a 35-32 defeat. That was also the last time the Chiefs lost.
In a continuation of what many have dubbed Kansas City’s “Revenge Tour,” the Chiefs line up to face a second consecutive team in these playoffs against whom they’ve already lost this season. This time, the game will decide the AFC’s representative in the Super Bowl.
Without a doubt, the entire Chiefs organization will use the film from that game as preparation and motivation for what amounts to the biggest game ever hosted at Arrowhead Stadium.
As the team looks forward to the challenge that is the Tennessee Titans, what can the players and coaching staff take away from the first game to help this time around?
When Special Teams are In Play…
The 2019 season has not been Dave Toub’s best look. The Chiefs special teams coach has seen a significant regression relative to 2018; and it’s no coincidence that we did not hear his name mentioned in this year’s head coaching carousel as we have in year’s past. From muffed kicks/punts to blocked field goals and punts, nearly every game has featured some sort of special teams miscue.
But that does not mean they have not also had their share of big plays. Special teams play provided several sparks on Sunday, from a huge kick return by Mecole Hardman to a well-read fake punt to forcing a fumble on a kickoff return.
It may be too much to ask to see a perfect game from the special teams, but there are three things the Chiefs must learn from the Week 10 game against Tennessee:
First, for whatever reason, they are susceptible to blocked kicks this season. The punt and field goal units have both given up blocked kicks, and Tennessee is adept at capitalizing on this weakness. They literally ended the last matchup with a blocked kick. Toub has got to change up blocking schemes this week relative to Week 10 (and last week) to avoid giving Tennessee a spark. Mistakes like that cost teams trips to Super Bowls.
Second, the Chiefs should be aggressive when Tennessee is kicking the ball. Go after them. Not only is the offensive line a struggle in pass/kick protection for the Titans, but their kicker has also not attempted a field goal this entire season. They have the worst kicking team in the entire league, and the Chiefs should try to take advantage.
Third, do not be afraid to make mistakes. Kansas City can overcome mistakes if they must. The team should not be afraid to make a mistake, as that caution takes out their biggest advantages: speed and big play ability.