Game Note

A contrast of NFL offensive eras clash this Sunday in the AFC Championship. The Tennessee Titans play a throwback retro-style of offense that grounds and pounds opponents led by bruising RB Henry who runs over and thru today’s finesse defenders. In an age where defenses rarely conduct padded full-contact practices, Henry takes full advantage of current NFL rules that have severely limited defenders’ tackling techniques which allow him to initiate contact and wear down opponents over four quarters. In contrast, the fast-break offense that Kansas City HC Andy Reid has constructed around the phenomenal play of QB Mahomes has made the Chiefs’ offense virtually impossible to stop this season. The creativity of Reid’s formations and Mahomes’ ability to make every throw in the playbook has brought KC within one game of the Super Bowl in consecutive seasons. This clash of styles played out in Week #10 as each offense executed their game plans to near perfection with Tennessee securing a last second victory at home in a thoroughly entertaining contest. Aside from the venue switch, little else has changed for this rematch as both offenses have maintained their dominant play while the defenses have performed at levels not worthy of a championship contender. While KC’s fan base will undoubtedly be oiled and revved for this game, their bravado can’t extend to the playing field to make tackles and neither does the home team’s defense. KC’s lone alpha tackler DL Jones is a gimpy game-time decision, leaving his defensive brethren to contend with the physicality of the Titans’ run game and playing in temperatures (single-digit wind chill) not conducive for an aerial show should benefit the suspect Tennessee defense to make this a competitive contest. With a trip to the ‘ship on the line in what may come down to the final possession, take the Titans with the insurance of a pointspread (+7.5) that bookmakers have set to take advantage of a betting public that is typically swayed by the pizzazz of the passing game and doesn’t relate to the importance of football's primitive physicality played in its purist form.