Titans complete comeback over collapsing Chiefs for wild-card win

The Tennessee Titans erased an 18-point second-half deficit to rally past the Kansas City Chiefs for a 22-21 wild-card win.

Marcus Mariota sparked the comeback by getting Tennessee its first touchdown after catching his own deflected pass in the third quarter to reduce the deficit to 21-10. A 35-yard run by Derrick Henry further cut into the Chiefs' lead before Eric Decker's 22-yard catch gave the Titans their first lead.

Mariota, who delivered a key block on Henry's game-clinching run in the fourth quarter, finished with 205 yards and two touchdown passes with one interception.

“Special,” Mariota said. “I’m part of a great team. I’m part of a group of guys that really believe in each other. And it’s something special.”

Tennessee became just the second team in NFL history to win a playoff game after trailing by 18 points or more in the second half. The win was the organization's first playoff win since the 2003 season. 

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Kansas City controlled the first half, gaining 264 yards. But tight end Travis Kelce's concussion shortly before halftime derailed the passing game, as quarterback Alex Smith struggled to replicate his early success as the offense was held scoreless in the final 30 minutes. He finished with 264 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-33 passing.

“He’s feeling as empty as we all are," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of Smith after the game. "These guys are hurting. Nobody knows better than the players and feels worse than those guys.”

The Chiefs were briefly given a glimmer of hope in the final two minutes when an apparent Henry fumble was returned for a score by linebacker Derrick Johnson, but reviews revealed the running back was down by contact.

Tennessee's divisional-round opponent depends on the outcome of Sunday's Buffalo Bills-Jacksonville Jaguars game. If the Jaguars win, the Titans will play the New England Patriots next Saturday. But if the Bills win, the Titans will face the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday.

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