The last time the Kansas City Chiefs walked off of a meaningful football field, their vaunted defense had just allowed the Indianapolis Colts to storm back from a 28-point deficit and pull off the second largest comeback in NFL postseason history. Needless to say, they'll be looking for redemption when they begin the 2014 season against the Tennessee Titans at 1 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS.
Titans vs. Chiefs 2014 game preview: Kansas City defense hoping to get off on the right foot
With last season’s playoff nightmare still visible in their rearview, the Chiefs are looking to start a more successful postseason march against a new-look Tennessee team.
Jamie Squire
How difficult scoring an early-season redemption will be depends on the progress the Titans make under the direction of new head coach Ken Whisenhunt, the veteran offensive guru who replaced Mike Munchak after last season’s 7-9 finish.
Whatever the Chiefs accomplish on Sunday, they'll have to do it without No. 1 wideout Dwayne Bowe, who's serving a one-game suspension for a substance abuse violation.
Meet the Titans
Can Jake Locker finally become the franchise quarterback that Tennessee so desperately wants him to be? He was making steps toward that in 2013 before first a shoulder issue, then a foot injury curtailed his promising season. Keeping him healthy and upright is a focal point, but it remains to be seen whether right tackle addition Michael Oher -- who struggled mightily in his final season in Baltimore -- will accomplish that goal (though No. 11 overall pick Taylor Lewan provides some quality insurance off the bench). Locker lost backfield mate Chris Johnson over the offseason, but the Titans are hoping to replace him at running back with a trio of new additions. Veteran Shonn Greene is the starter for now, but he'll share the load with (and may eventually be overtaken by) second-round pick Bishop Sankey. Former Chiefs offensive weapon Dexter McCluster should help replace some of Johnson's explosive plays (not that there had been very many of late).
Tennessee will attack Kansas City's retooled offensive line with a defensive front led by Pro Bowler Jurrell Casey, who signed a big-money extension after leading all NFL defensive tackles in sacks last season. Free agent linebacker signee Wesley Woodyard struggled in coverage and run support last season in Denver, but did record three sacks and 13 quarterback pressures. The biggest question mark is in the secondary, where new defensive coordinator Ray Horton faces the unenviable task of replacing Pro Bowl cornerback Alterraun Verner (now with Tampa Bay).
Meet the Chiefs
Kansas City has plenty of talent at the skill positions even without Bowe, but the offensive line is a potential problem after losing Pro Bowl left tackle Branden Albert and both starting guards to free agency. It's imperative that Eric Fisher, who's been moved from right tackle to left to replace Albert, finally shows the ability that made him the No. 1 overall pick in 2013. The Chiefs will combat that unproven offensive line with short drops and quick passes -- a specialty of quarterback Alex Smith -- and a heavy dose of screens and draws with All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles.
On paper, the Chiefs boast one of the best defenses in the league. Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and Dontari Poe make up a ferocious defensive front that piled up 47 sacks last season. They're supported on the back line by playmaking safety Eric Berry, who Pro Football Focus graded out as the No. 2 player at his position in 2013. The problem is that despite all of that talent, the unit allowed a combined 941 offensive yards in their last two games, including the postseason debacle in Indy. They'll need to be more consistent this year, beginning with whatever Whisenhunt can whip up for Tennessee.
Injuries
The Chiefs have 13 players on the injury report, though 10 of those players are listed as probable after being full participants in practice throughout the week. Cornerback Marcus Cooper and center Eric Kush are listed as questionable with ankle and shoulder injuries, respectively. The big name is running back De’Anthony Thomas, who is dealing with a hamstring injury and did not practice on Friday. He’s listed as doubtful to play in this one.
The Titans have just three players on the injury report, and none of them are serious. Running back Jackie Battle and quarterback Charlie Whitehurst are listed as probably, while defensive tackle Michael Martin is questionable with a hamstring injury.
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Odds
The Chiefs opened as a 5.5-point home favorites and the total over/under opened at 43.5. Check Oddsshark.com for the latest lines.
Next Week
The Titans return to Nashville for an interconference matchup with the Dallas Cowboys (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET). The Chiefs get to test their defense when they travel to Mile High to take on Peyton Manning and the Broncos (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET), who beat them twice a season ago.
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