Chiefs vs. Titans 2013: Kansas City resilient on the road, Jake Locker missed by Tennessee

Our SB Nation writers are sounding off about the Chiefs’ 26-17 win over the Titans.

by Mike Kaye

Oct 7, 2013, 12:00 PM UTC

Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

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The Chiefs were able to continue their winning ways in a 26-17 road win over the Titans in Week 5. Kansas City used a stout defense and a successful running attack to subdue Tennessee, despite a mediocre performance from Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith. The Titans were unable to create enough offense to stay even or in front of the Chiefs with backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. The former Bills passer was threw for one touchdown and two interceptions while adding another score on the ground.

More: For more on the Chiefs, go to Arrowhead Pride For more on the Titans, go to Music City Miracles

August West of Music City Miracles believes the difference between starter Jake Locker and Fitzpatrick is what cost the Titans the game:

If we’d been able to start Locker, we win this game. Fitzpatrick gave a pretty gutsy performance after halftime, but I’ll never understand why he played the final few drives like it was all on his shoulders. Especially on the INT that led to the Chiefs’ field goal, we didn’t need that big play. With over four minutes left to play, Fitzy should have been much more conservative and willing to dink and dunk.
The only upshot was the defense, which continues to absolutely dominate. They played a phenomenal game that was marred by points given away on special teams and turnovers gifting the Chiefs instant scoring position.

Joel Thorman of Arrowhead Pride was thrilled to see the Chiefs be resilient against the Titans:

In the big picture, this is huge. We wanted to see the Chiefs losing in the fourth quarter and prove that they can come back and win it. That’s what they did, entering the fourth quarter down 17-13 to the Titans. KC put up 13 fourth quarter points to seal the win.
They did not play a perfect game. They had a lot of penalties against them. They turned it over. But when they needed a HUGE play, they got it.
The Chiefs had their backs against the wall and responded. The biggest takeaway from this game.

In Week 6, the Chiefs will host the Raiders, while the Titans will travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks.