American Football: Domination

Before the 2017 season began, if anyone had predicted that the Tennessee Titans would make the playoffs, they would have been met with a wave of eye-rolls and mutterings of, "That guy must be crazy."

The Titans hadn't made the playoffs since the 2008 season, and they hadn't won a single playoff game since 2003.

The franchise, originally known as the Houston Oilers, was founded in 1960 and was one of the original teams of the American Football League (AFL). They won the AFL championship in 1960 and 1961, cementing themselves as a team with history and tradition. Even after the AFL-NFL merger, they remained competitive.

Unfortunately, since the turn of the millennium, the Titans have struggled to find their footing in an increasingly competitive league.

In 2015, Tennessee used the second overall pick to select quarterback Marcus Mariota, hoping the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner would become their franchise cornerstone and lead them out of mediocrity.

After a disappointing rookie season, Mariota showed flashes of potential in 2016, helping the Titans to a 9-7 record. However, they narrowly missed the playoffs, falling just short of qualification.

Head coach Mike Mularkey became the scapegoat. Many in the front office believed he had failed to maximize the team's potential. On paper, they had a talented roster, yet they couldn't take the next step to becoming a true contender. Analysts agreed.

Both the Titans' offense and defense were filled with high-caliber players.

On offense, besides Mariota, they had a formidable backfield duo in DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry. Their receiving corps included Pro Bowl-caliber talent like Eric Decker, Harry Douglas, and Eric Weems.

On defense, they had a strong front seven featuring Jurrell Casey, Sylvester Williams, and Brian Orakpo—players with Pro Bowl and All-Pro credentials.

If there was a weakness, it was in the secondary, which the team had been trying to address through the draft and free agency.

Everything seemed to be heading in the right direction, so why weren't the results following?

After the 2016 season, most experts predicted the Titans would continue struggling to break through.

However, Mularkey had only taken over as head coach midway through 2015. The 2017 season was just his second full year at the helm, and many believed he deserved time to mold the team in his vision.

And so, under that scrutiny, the Titans entered the new season.

A 9-7 record.

For the second straight year, Tennessee finished with the exact same record. But this time, they squeaked into the playoffs by the narrowest of margins.

A surprise? Absolutely.

Looking at the numbers, though, the Titans' performance was still unimpressive. Their offense ranked 19th in the league, their defense 13th—both below average. By all logical measures, they shouldn't have been a playoff team. So, what happened?

Key wins.

Throughout the season, the Titans lost several games they should have won. But when it came to head-to-head matchups against other playoff hopefuls, they stepped up.

Against the Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals—teams that were also vying for postseason spots—Tennessee secured crucial victories.

Most notably, they swept their division rival Jacksonville Jaguars, handing the Jags two of their five regular-season losses.

And in the final week of the season, in a must-win game, they once again defeated Jacksonville to punch their playoff ticket.

Unexpected? Without a doubt.

That's why, despite their modest 9-7 record, the Titans were widely viewed as a tough, physical team—one that could not be overlooked.

For Bart, this was clear-cut.

"The Chiefs and Titans were separated by just one game in the standings," he pointed out. "The gap between them isn't as big as people think."

"Kansas City has a tendency to collapse in crucial moments—they've blown multiple leads this season. Tennessee, on the other hand, has shown the ability to come through when it matters most."

"Add that up," he continued, "and in a tight, single-elimination playoff game, the Titans might actually have the edge."

Bart really didn't want to get burned again. Every fiber of his being rejected the idea of another humiliating miscalculation.

That's why this time, he made sure to analyze everything carefully before making a prediction.

Of course, he hadn't forgotten about one key factor—the one player who had repeatedly made him look foolish this season.

"In my opinion, there are two matchups that will decide this game."

"First, 'Smith vs. Mariota.'"

"Both quarterbacks have had the best seasons of their careers. Their performances will dictate the game, and the battle between the passing offense and pass defense on both sides will be fascinating."

"Second, 'Ground game vs. Ground game.'"

"Kansas City has Lance and Hunt. Tennessee has Murray and Henry. Both teams feature a two-headed monster at running back. The Chiefs lean on speed and elusiveness, while the Titans focus on power and physicality. Two contrasting styles of ground-and-pound football will clash—and it will be critical to the outcome."

"One more thing," Bart added. "Lance vs. Henry—this will be their first-ever head-to-head meeting."

"The way these two matchups unfold will determine the winner."

For once, Bart's analysis was well-received. Even within Inside the League, the consensus was split.

——"6 to 4."

Out of ten panelists, six picked Kansas City, while four sided with Tennessee. A razor-thin margin.

Those who believed in the Titans, like Bart, pointed to their ability to rise to the occasion in big games.

Those who backed the Chiefs, led by Lawson, put their faith in Lance.

"After that six-game losing streak, the Chiefs came back stronger. It's still the same team, but they've developed a different mentality," Lawson explained.

"Most importantly, their ground game—led by Lance—has been dominant. This is not the same Kansas City offense we thought we knew."

"In the playoffs, that run game could be their greatest asset. It will allow Smith more freedom to take risks in the passing game. That's why I believe the Chiefs can finally overcome their history of playoff struggles."

Lawson remained objective, but his confidence was evident. In just one season, Lance had completely changed how he viewed the Chiefs.

"Lance vs. Henry!"

A long-anticipated showdown—finally set to take center stage.

And on the playoff stage, no less.

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Powerstones?

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