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KC Chiefs at Titans: Henry is a game-wrecker, but he’s not Kansas City’s only concern

Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill didn’t put up huge numbers against the Buffalo Bills last week. Derrick Henry, as he so often is, was Tennessee’s star on offense in a 34-31 Titans victory.

But Tannehill was an effective, too — 18 completions in 29 attempts for 216 yards — and the Titans used the play-action pass well against the Bills’ man coverage. That created a balanced attack and helped Tennessee keep up with Buffalo.

Linebacker play will be of paramount importance for the Chiefs in their game at Nashville Sunday. So how do they stack up?

Veteran Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens missed most of last week’s game against Washington with a triceps injury. Rookie Nick Bolton played well and Willie Gay Jr. is coming along slowly but surely.

Between the play-action threat and Henry as a workhorse, the Titans present big challenges for this Chiefs position group.

“You’ve got to study the tape and see if you can’t come up with some kind of indicator,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said about Tennessee’s play-action ability. “They do a great job with that, but you’ve got to be able to pure read it and then get yourself back and in position where they’re not attacking the middle of the field, because you’re not there since you’re stuck on the line of scrimmage. You’ve got to be disciplined with that. You’ve got to study.”

Here’s how the teams could scheme things up to handle the Titans Sunday.

When the Chiefs pass

Bizarre as it is to see Patrick Mahomes’ interception total — only the Jets’ Zach Wilson has thrown more picks than Mahomes’ eight — he still leads the NFL with 18 touchdown passes, and he’s coming off a nice second half: the Chiefs outscored Washington 21-0 after the break Sunday afternoon. Maybe we’ll see a little more of new receiver Josh Gordon against the Titans? Tennessee is banged up, including in the secondary. Whether Gordon or other guys Sunday, there should be an opportunity for a big game through the air by the Chiefs in Nashville.

Edge: Chiefs

When the Chiefs run

Darrel Williams made the most of his first NFL start, rushing for 62 yards and two touchdowns and adding 27 receiving yards on three catches. Jerick McKinnon got only three rushing attempts but impressed in his one reception for 5 yards: second effort produced a first down. Mike Remmers looks like he’ll make a second start at right tackle for Lucas Niang and the overall the Chiefs’ offensive line had an excellent game against Washington.

Edge: Chiefs

When the Titans pass

Did you see that catch by Julio Jones against the Bills on Monday night? Remarkable concentration to flag down the ball that bounced off Micah Hyde’s helmet. Tannehill can have big games. He threw for 347 in a victory at Seattle in Week 2. And Jones remains one of the league’s most dangerous receivers. He missed the second half against the Bills with a hamstring injury and has been dealing with injuries throughout the season. A.J. Brown came up with seven receptions for 91 yards against Buffalo. If Chris Jones returns for the Chiefs after missing two games with an injury, does he shift from defensive end back to playing defensive tackle, where he’d had success in previous years? That could help put pressure on the Tannehill and the passing game.

Edge: Titans

When the Titans run

With so many good quarterbacks in the NFL right now, it’s hard to chose the best: Brady, Mahomes, Rodgers, Jackson, Allen ... all are in that conversation. But there is no debating the best running back in the league: Derrick Henry is a bruiser. He’s topped 100 yards in five straight games and with 783 rushing yards this season he’s about the lap the field in that category. At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Henry has tight end size with running back speed and elusiveness. He’s tormented the Chiefs in two of his four appearances in this series; who can forget his 156-yard day in the Titans’ 2017 Wild Card playoff victory at Arrowhead? The Chiefs did a better job of containing him 2019 AFC title game, holding him to 69 yards. But Henry could come up big against the Chiefs’ No. 2-ranked rushing defense in this one.

Edge: Titans

Special teams./coaching/intangibles

Titans kicker Randy Bullock has missed a couple of field goals, and about half of his kickoffs are returned. The Chiefs like to bring the ball out, and there could be plenty of opportunity for that on Sunday in what could be a high-scoring game.

Mike Vrabel has a winning record in each of his first three seasons as an NFL head coach, and the Titans are bidding for their third straight trip to the playoffs.

Tennessee reasserted itself as a top contender with Monday night’s victory over the Bills. The Titans will try to follow it up with another inspirational performance Sunday, though they risk coming out flat because they’re playing on a short week.

Edge: Titans