Game Center
The Falcons have forced two special teams turnovers against the Rams to build an early lead in Los Angeles. Follow along here with all of the action, including stats and in-game highlights.
CLOSE Fans celebrate in Nashville as the Titans beat the Chiefs Michael Schwab/USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
Titans center Ben Jones (60) congratulates quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) after his Mariota's touchdown during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018 in Kansas City , Mo. (Photo: Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
Titans fans have waited nine seasons for a playoff game, but that wait is over. Tennessee faces the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC wild-card round tilt at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday. We'll have live updates throughout the game below.
Refresh this page for updates.
FINAL: Titans 22, Chiefs 21
You'll want to soak that one in for a while, Titans fans. Here's some post-game reading:
Jason Wolf and Joe Rexrode break down the win:
CLOSE The Titans got their first win in the playoffs in 14 years when they beat Kansas City. Autumn Allison/USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee
Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE TITANS RETURN TO NFL PLAYOFFS, FACE KANSAS CITY Fans celebrate in Nashville as the Titans beat the Chiefs | 0:20 Fans celebrate in Nashville as the Titans beat the Chiefs Michael Schwab/USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee 1 of 15 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE TITANS RETURN TO NFL PLAYOFFS, FACE KANSAS CITY Fans react to Derrick Henry's TD run | 0:17 Titans fans in Nashville celebrate Derrick Henry's touchdown run in the second half against the Chiefs, which pulled the Titans to within 5 points. Michael Schwab / USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee 2 of 15 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE TITANS RETURN TO NFL PLAYOFFS, FACE KANSAS CITY Marcus Mariota's TD pass to himself: Titans fans react | 0:45 Marcus Mariota caught his own touchdown pass against the Chiefs (seriously), and the fans were celebrating at the Nashville watch party at The George Jones bar. Michael Schwab / USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee 3 of 15 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE TITANS RETURN TO NFL PLAYOFFS, FACE KANSAS CITY Titans fans react to Eric Decker's third-down drop | 0:13 Titans WR Eric Decker dropped an easy third-down catch against the Chiefs, and fans at the Nashville watch party were less than happy. Michael Schwab / USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee 4 of 15 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE TITANS RETURN TO NFL PLAYOFFS, FACE KANSAS CITY Titans: Finally back in NFL playoffs, looking for respect | 0:34 The Tennessee Titans return to the NFL playoffs after a nine season hiatus when they face Kansas City on Saturday. Autumn Allison|USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee 5 of 15 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE TITANS RETURN TO NFL PLAYOFFS, FACE KANSAS CITY Titans owner Amy Adams thanks fans for support at Kansas City wildcard game | 0:26 Titans fans were able hang with team owner Amy Adams Strunk when she visited the fans' tailgate outside of Arrowhead Stadium. Autumn Allison|USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee 6 of 15 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE TITANS RETURN TO NFL PLAYOFFS, FACE KANSAS CITY Titans vs. Chiefs: Fans gather for Nashville playoff watch party | 0:15 Titans fans gathered in The George Jones bar in downtown Nashville on Jan. 6 to watch their team take on the Chiefs in the NFL playoffs. Michael Schwab / USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee 7 of 15 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE TITANS RETURN TO NFL PLAYOFFS, FACE KANSAS CITY Titans fans do the 'Cupid Shuffle ' at Kansas City tailgate | 1:25 Titans fan held an impromptu dance party in the parking lot of Arrowhead Stadium. Autumn Allison|USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee 8 of 15 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE TITANS RETURN TO NFL PLAYOFFS, FACE KANSAS CITY Mularkey on the hot seat? Discussing the Titans' playoff implications | 8:02 Joe Rexrode and Jason Wolf discuss the playoff game between the Titans and the Chiefs. Autumn Allison/USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee 9 of 15 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE TITANS RETURN TO NFL PLAYOFFS, FACE KANSAS CITY Titans fans party at Johnny's Tavern in Kansas City | 0:43 Tennessee Titans fans took over downtown Kansas City bar Johnny's Tavern for a night before the playoffs' party. Autumn Allison|USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee 10 of 15 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE TITANS RETURN TO NFL PLAYOFFS, FACE KANSAS CITY Nashville Predators send good luck wishes to playoff-bound Titans | 0:31 The Titans face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC wild-card round on Saturday. Adam Vingan/USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee 11 of 15 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE TITANS RETURN TO NFL PLAYOFFS, FACE KANSAS CITY Titans: Mariota's stiff-arm momentous for playoff berth | 2:10 Can Marcus Mariota keep up his recent string of success of moving the ball for the Titans or will his limited passing successes spell doom in the playoff game at Kansas City? Autumn Allison/USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee 12 of 15 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE TITANS RETURN TO NFL PLAYOFFS, FACE KANSAS CITY Titans likely in for ugly, defensive bout with Kansas City | 1:40 Jason Wolf and Joe Rexrode discuss how the Titans' offensive tendencies will make it difficult to beat Kansas City if the game turns into a shootout. Autumn Allison|USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee 13 of 15 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE TITANS RETURN TO NFL PLAYOFFS, FACE KANSAS CITY Titans' Marcus Mariota, Mike Mularkey discuss Kansas City | 1:07 Titans' Marcus Mariota, Mike Mularkey discuss Kansas City Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean 14 of 15 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE TITANS RETURN TO NFL PLAYOFFS, FACE KANSAS CITY 'Got no words to describe' Titans playoff berth says Walker | 0:49 Titans tight end Delanie Walker said that the Titans playoff berth has been a long time coming after Tennessee beat the Jacksonville Jaguars at home. Autumn Allison|USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee 15 of 15 Last VideoNext Video Fans celebrate in Nashville as the Titans beat the Chiefs
Fans react to Derrick Henry's TD run
Marcus Mariota's TD pass to himself: Titans fans react
Titans fans react to Eric Decker's third-down drop
Titans: Finally back in NFL playoffs, looking for respect
Titans owner Amy Adams thanks fans for support at Kansas City wildcard game
Titans vs. Chiefs: Fans gather for Nashville playoff watch party
Titans fans do the 'Cupid Shuffle ' at Kansas City tailgate
Mularkey on the hot seat? Discussing the Titans' playoff implications
Titans fans party at Johnny's Tavern in Kansas City
Nashville Predators send good luck wishes to playoff-bound Titans
Titans: Mariota's stiff-arm momentous for playoff berth
Titans likely in for ugly, defensive bout with Kansas City
Titans' Marcus Mariota, Mike Mularkey discuss Kansas City
'Got no words to describe' Titans playoff berth says Walker
4TH QUARTER
► Another first down by Henry and that will do it!
► Henry ruled down. Bullet dodged. Chiefs taking timeouts.
► Wow. Ball came out on a Henry run and Derrick Johnson returned to the end zone, but it looks like Henry was down. Review underway.
► Henry gets a first down and we hit the 2-minute warning.
► Albert Wilson can't hold on to deep pass on 4th and 9, Titans take over at the 44.
► Chiefs into Titans territory, but Smith is flushed and dropped on 3rd and long.
This is what it sounded like in Nashville when the #Titans took the lead pic.twitter.com/WI5lpYeKEB — Tennessean (@Tennessean) January 7, 2018
► TITANS 22, CHIEFS 21: Eric Decker redeems himself with a leaping 22-yard TD grab. Titans on top for the first time today.
► Titans with the ball back again and driving. First down in Chiefs territory after a Mariota scramble.
CLOSE Titans fans in Nashville celebrate Derrick Henry's touchdown run in the second half against the Chiefs, which pulled the Titans to within 5 points. Michael Schwab / USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
► CHIEFS 21, TITANS 16: Derrick Henry takes it up the middle for a 35-yard TD gallop. Two-point conversion is no good, but we've got ourselves a game.
3RD QUARTER
► Strange as this sounds, that was not the first TD-pass-to-yourself in NFL history.
Marcus Mariota is not the first person to throw a TD pass to himself, Brad Johnson did it in 1997! https://t.co/mmt5w81IN7 — ProFootballReference (@pfref) January 6, 2018
► Chiefs' FG attempt off the upright, no good. Whew.
► Titans get a stop again, but Adoree' muffs the punt and Chiefs have it at the Titans' 28. Killer.
► Even if this game doesn't go the Titans' way, you can remember it as the day Marcus Mariota threw a touchdown to Marcus Mariota.
Titans fans go wild in Nashville as Marcus Mariota scores a touchdown from a pass that gets tipped back to him #titanspic.twitter.com/hJW60TOElo — Tennessean (@Tennessean) January 6, 2018
► CHIEFS 21, TITANS 10: Um so Marcus Mariota threw a pass which was batted back to himself, which he caught and ran in for a TD. Still processing this.
► Mariota finds Henry on a short route, and the former Heisman winner turns it upfield for a 29-yard gain.
► Chiefs TE Travis Kelce is out for the game with a concussion. Kelce led all tight ends in receptions this season.
#Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (concussion) is out for the game #Titans — Jason Wolf (@JasonWolf) January 6, 2018
► Mariota scrambles for 11 yards on 3rd and 8. They're going to need some more heroics from him.
► Titans get the ball to start the half but get a penalty for a blcok in the back on the return. They'll start at their own 9.
HALFTIME: Chiefs 21, Titans 3
#Chiefs Alex Smith 19-23, 231 yards, 2 TD, 137.5 rating#Titans Marcus Mariota 7-13, 82 yards, INT, 41.2 rating — Jason Wolf (@JasonWolf) January 6, 2018
2ND QUARTER
► CHIEFS 21, TITANS 3: Chiefs conduct a textbook 2-minute drill, capped by a 14-yard Smith scoring pass to Demarcus Robinson. Kevin Byard misses the TD-saving tackle, and the Titans are in real trouble heading into the half.
► Here's a look at that sack of Mariota:
► Kelce is hurt after a nasty-looking head-to-head hit collision with Jonathan Cyprian. He's up but headed to the locker room. He also appeared to fumble, but it's not reviewed. Review would have to come from the booth inside two minutes.
Titans are on the board. Fans celebrate "it is good!" at @gjmuseum in Nashville pic.twitter.com/tTME5vU2eh — Tennessean (@Tennessean) January 6, 2018
► CHIEFS 14, TITANS 3: Replay appeared to show Mariota fumbling on the sack by Johnson, but officials rule his forward progress was stopped and it can't be challenged. Succop on for the field goal, which is good.
► Mariota gets annihilated by free-rushing Derrick Johnson on 3rd down, and we'll hit the 2-minute warning. FG likely coming up for Tennessee.
► Titans get another 3 and out, and the offense is on the move again, down to the Chiefs 22 after starting on their own 8.
► Marcus Peters picks Mariota at the 9 yard line, just as Titans' offense was finally showing some life. Chiefs will have it at their 37.
I don't know what Mariota saw there, but that's a crushing pick for the Titans. Marcus Peters. — Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) January 6, 2018
Titans fans in Nashville not happy with the drop by Eric Decker on 3rd down pic.twitter.com/5LFRVsKV87 — Tennessean (@Tennessean) January 6, 2018
► After getting shredded on the last two drives, the Tennessee defense gets a stop assisted by a KC holding flag. Jackson fair catches the punt at the Titans 46. Field position!
► Eric Decker drops an easy 3rd down catch, and Titans punt again. Titans at least picked up their first first down on that drive on a Mariota scramble.
1ST QUARTER
► Derrick Henry promptly fumbles on the first play of the ensuing drive. Luckily it goes out of bounds.
► Total yards so far: Chiefs 179 (152 through the air), Titans 22.
► CHIEFS 14, TITANS 0: Kelce hauls in 13-yard Smith pass for a TD. Chiefs are getting yards in chunks and Titans are offering almost no resistance. This could get ugly quickly if Tennessee can't stop the bleeding.
Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (27) goes in for the touchdown defended by Titans linebacker Avery Williamson (54) during the first quarter at Arrowhead Stadium Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018 in Kansas City , Mo. (Photo: Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
► Tyreek Hill again. He beats Jackson for 26 yards on the first play of the drive and the Chiefs are at midfield.
► Unnecessary roughness penalty on Ben Jones backs the Titans up into a 2nd and 20 at their own 13, and they can't convert. Brett Kern's punt goes just 36 yards, but the Chiefs pick up a unnecessary roughness flag of their own on the kick, which will back them up to their 25.
► CHIEFS 7, TITANS 0: Two plays to set up 1st and goal for KC: Tyreek Hilll takes a short pass and blazes for 45 yards, then Alex Smith finds a wide-open Travis Kelce for 27 more. Kareem Hunt punches it in from a yard out two plays later.
This is just such a loaded Chiefs offense. We saw the Titans give up 14 quick here last year and end up yielding 17. I think more Titans points are going to be necessary today. — Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) January 6, 2018
► It's just above freezing in Kansas City. You know, warm enough to pop the shirt off.
Titans fans John Thomas Lynn, left, Christian Lynn and Ben Price watch warmups before the game at Arrowhead Stadium Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018 in Kansas City , Mo. (Photo: George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)
► Justin Houston gets a hit on Marcus Mariota on the Titans' first offensive play, and Tennessee goes three and out.
► Titans' defense gets a stop on KC's first drive. Adoree' Jackson takes the punt out to the about the Titans' 25.
► Look who made an appearance the Titans watch party in Nashville:
► We're underway at Arrowhead Stadium. Chiefs will be on offense after Titans won the toss and deferred.
CLOSE Titans fans gathered in The George Jones bar in downtown Nashville on Jan. 6 to watch their team take on the Chiefs in the NFL playoffs. Michael Schwab / USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee
PREGAME
► Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk thanked fans for their support at a tailgate:
CLOSE Titans fans were able hang with team owner Amy Adams Strunk when she visited the fans' tailgate outside of Arrowhead Stadium. Autumn Allison|USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee
► More pregame fan antics:
CLOSE Titans fan held an impromptu dance party in the parking lot of Arrowhead Stadium. Autumn Allison|USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee
► Just in from Jason Wolf: Titans coach Mike Mularkey thought he might have been fired if his team lost to Jacksonville last week, and might still be on the hot seat today. Wolf and Joe Rexrode discussed this in their game preview today:
CLOSE Joe Rexrode and Jason Wolf discuss the playoff game between the Titans and the Chiefs. Autumn Allison/USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee
► The fire chiefs in Nashville and Kansas City have a friendly wager on today's game. Read more here.
► Titans left guard Quinton Spain is active today.
#Titans LG Quinton Spain (back) is active today vs #Chiefs. Inactives: QB Brandon Weeden, RB DeMarco Murray, DB Curtis Riley, LB Josh Carraway, LB Nate Palmer, OL Corey Levin & WR Harry Douglas. https://t.co/k0nUmpKIXB — Jason Wolf (@JasonWolf) January 6, 2018
► Titans fans were partying last night in Kansas City:
Watch
Network: ABC/ESPN
ABC/ESPN Nashville affiliate: WKRN News 2
WKRN News 2 Play-by-play: Sean McDonough
Sean McDonough Analyst: Jon Gruden
Jon Gruden Chiefs sideline reporter: Lisa Salters
Lisa Salters Titans sideline reporter: Adam Schefter
Adam Schefter Streaming: Watch ESPN/NFL Game Pass (replays only)
Listen
For the first time in 32 years, the Rams are getting set to host an NFL playoff game in Los Angeles and it's all thanks to a coach who wasn't even born the last time the Rams hosted a postseason game in Southern California.
Follow all the action in Saturday's Falcons-Rams Wild Card showdown with our live blog below. and read on for more about this matchup.
How to Watch
Who: Falcons at Rams
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
When: Saturday, Jan. 6, 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Live Blog
Preview
The Rams' wild card game against the Falcons will mark their first home playoff game in Los Angeles since January 4, 1986, when they beat the Cowboys 20-0. It's fitting that the Rams won that game by 20 points because 20 days after it was played, Sean McVay was born.
The 31-year-old Rams coach, who turns 32 on January 24, has set the NFL on fire this season with a high-powered Rams offense that led the NFL in scoring in 2017 with 29.9 points per game. It was an almost inconceivable turnaround for a Rams team that ranked dead last in scoring in 2016 with just 14 points per game. With McVay calling the offensive shots, the Rams became just the second team in NFL history to go from lowest-scoring team in the league one season to the highest-scoring team the next season.
A big reason why the Rams' offense has been successful is because McVay has done everything he can to utilize Todd Gurley. Not only did Gurley lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns (13) and finish second in the league in rushing with 1,305 yards, but we also found out that he's quite the weapon coming out of the backfield as a receiver. Going into 2017, Gurley only had 515 receiving yards and zero touchdowns in two seasons with the Rams under Jeff Fisher. In one season with McVay, he blew those numbers away with 788 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
If the Rams are going to win their first playoff game since January 2005, they're going to have to beat the team they lost to the last time they were in the playoffs: the Atlanta Falcons.
If the Falcons are going to win on Saturday, it's likely going to be because Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman put up huge numbers. If the Rams have had one weakness this season, it's stopping the run. They gave up 122.4 yards per game on the season, which ranked 28th in the NFL. If Freeman and Coleman get going, that will open things up for Matt Ryan and the Falcons' passing offense.
As for Gurley, if there's any team in the NFL up to the challenge of stopping him, it's the Falcons. Over the final six weeks of the season, the Falcons absolutely shut down every run game they faced, surrendering an average of just 84.3 yards per game on the ground.
Even though the Falcons faced a brutal schedule of running backs -- including facing Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram twice -- Atlanta only gave up 100 yards rushing to one running back the entire season, and that came against Jay Ajayi in the fifth game of the season.
If the Falcons can slow down Gurley, there's a good chance they could be heading to Philadelphia next week for a date with the Eagles.
