For underdog lovers, the Titans are the flavor of the playoffs. I cashed tickets backing them against the Patriots and again last week against the AFC’s No. 1 seed, the Ravens. I’m tempted to go with them again, because the Saturday divisional playoff winners are 5-1 ATS on Championship Sunday the past three years. The Titans fit that description.
Patrick Mahomes has convinced me otherwise. Broadcasting from the Raiders’ radio booth the past two years, I have watched Mahomes demonstrate why he’s the NFL’s No. 1 quarterback. In leading K.C.’s four victories against Oakland the past two seasons, Mahomes threw for 1,194 yards and 11 touchdowns to seven receivers. The Chiefs outscored the Raiders in those games, 143-55.
Titans backers love to point out that they beat the Chiefs in Week 10 in Nashville, and that when championship games are rematches, the winners of the first games are 6-1 over the past five years. Strong stuff. But in that wild 35-32 loss, Mahomes threw for 446 yards and three touchdowns.
Mahomes is the real deal, and I believe he would have played in the Super Bowl a year ago had the Patriots not won the overtime coin flip and scored a touchdown, ending the game before the Chiefs got a fair chance. (Yes, I hate the overtime rule.)
Derrick Henry has been fabulous for Tennessee, and I’m predicting he’ll rush for 150 yards. But Mahomes and the Chiefs will rule the day.
The pick: Chiefs 34, Titans 24. Give the 7.