The NFL postseason kicks off Saturday afternoon from Kansas City as the Chiefs face the Tennessee Titans in the playoffs for the first time.
Tennessee is one of a whopping eight clubs to make the playoffs that didn’t last year. The Titans were the AFC’s top wild-card team in their first postseason trip since 2008. Kansas City is the conference’s fourth seed as it repeated as AFC West champion – the first time in franchise history it has won a division title in back-to-back years. It’s Kansas City’s third straight season in the playoffs overall. It hasn’t won a home postseason game since following the 1993 season.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
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Opening 1 Jan 1:08pm | TEN | -7.5 -110 | O +45 -110 |
Closing 6 Jan 8:59pm | TEN | -9 -110 | O +44.5 -105 |
The Titans have won the past two meetings with the Chiefs. They played Week 15 of 2016 in Kansas City, and Tennessee pulled off a 19-17 upset. Former Chief Ryan Succop kicked a 53-yard field goal as time expired – the Titans outscored the Chiefs 12-0 in the fourth quarter. Tennessee won despite turning it over three times. The weather was a major factor that day at Arrowhead Stadium as it was 1 degree at kickoff with a wind chill of minus-19. It will be reasonably warm for Kansas City on Saturday with high temperatures projected at 41 degrees and a low of 34.
The road team has covered seven of the past eight meetings in this series.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans (9-7 SU, 8-7-1 ATS) were 8-4 at one point and battling for the AFC South title before losing three straight and putting the job of Coach Mike Mularkey in jeopardy. He probably would have been fired if Tennessee hadn’t beaten visiting Jacksonville 15-10 in Week 17 to clinch a wild-card spot. It wasn’t pretty offensively as neither team had even 235 yards, but the Titans forced four Jacksonville turnovers. Marcus Mariota, who has largely regressed this year, threw for a touchdown and led the team with 60 yards rushing. Succop had three field goals. Co-No. 1 running back DeMarco Murray missed the game with an injured right knee. Remains to be seen if he can play here. The Titans are one of the most conservative offences in the NFL as they want to run the ball as much as possible and let Mariota simply manage the game.
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City (10-6 SU, 10-6 ATS) was one of the most schizophrenic teams in the league this year. The Chiefs were the last team to lose, starting 5-0. Then they lost six of seven, only to close with four consecutive wins. Coach Andy Reid rested many starters in a meaningless Week 17 win in Denver. However, rookie running back Kareem Hunt did have one carry – and it was good for 35 yards and a TD to give Hunt the NFL rushing title with 1,327 yards. Rams running back Todd Gurley was atop the rushing list entering Week 17, but he was fully rested. Hunt became just the second rookie not drafted in the first round to win a rushing title since 1967. QB Alex Smith, who sat out Week 17, had his best season and led the NFL with a rating of 104.7. Yet his next loss likely will be his final game in a Chiefs uniform as many believe the team will trade him this offseason to make way for 2017 first-round pick Patrick Mahomes.
Weather

temp | 33 |
condition | sunny |
wind | Southeast 10mph |
Injuries
Logan Ryan (CB)
Quinton Spain (G)
Brice McCain (CB)
Kalan Reed (CB)
Da'Norris Searcy (S)
Jonnu Smith (TE)
DeMarco Murray (RB)
Nate Palmer (LB)
LeShaun Sims (CB)
Karl Klug (DL)
Travis Kelce (TE)
Tyreek Hill (WR)
Jarvis Jenkins (DL)
Albert Wilson (WR)
Phillip Gaines (DB)
De'Anthony Thomas (WR)
Kenneth Acker (DB)
Rakeem Nunez-Roches (DL)
Kevin Pierre-Louis (LB)
Cameron Erving (OL)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
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Logan Ryan (CB) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 09 / 01 / 18 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Ryan will likely suit up against the Patriots in the AFC divisional round even though he is dealing with an ankle injury. |
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Quinton Spain (G) | Prob Sat | Back - 09 / 01 / 18 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Spain is dealing with a back injury but is expected to be available for the AFC divisional round against the Patriots. |
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Brice McCain (CB) | Prob Sat | Hamstring - 03 / 01 / 18 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
McCain has a hamstring injury but is expected to play against the Chiefs in the AFC wild-card round. |
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Kalan Reed (CB) | Prob Sat | Concussion - 03 / 01 / 18 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
Reed is dealing with a concussion but is likely to be available for the AFC wild-card round against the Chiefs. |
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Da'Norris Searcy (S) | Prob Sat | Illness - 03 / 01 / 18 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
Searcy has come down with an illness but is expected to be available for the AFC wild-card round against the Chiefs. |
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Jonnu Smith (TE) | Prob Sat | Concussion - 03 / 01 / 18 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
Smith is going through concussion protocol but is expected to be cleared in time for the AFC wild-card round against the Chiefs. |
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DeMarco Murray (RB) | Out Sat | Knee - 24 / 12 / 17 | 4-0 | 2-2 | + - |
Murray suffered a third-degree MCL tear and will not be available for the AFC divisional round against the Patriots. |
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Nate Palmer (LB) | Ques Sun | Illness - 21 / 12 / 17 | 4-0 | 2-2 | + - |
Palmer is ailing from an illness and it is undetermined if it will keep him out of Sunday's lineup against the Rams. |
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LeShaun Sims (CB) | I-R | Hamstring - 20 / 12 / 17 | 4-0 | 2-2 | + - |
Sims hurt his hamstring and is on the injured reserve list. |
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Karl Klug (DL) | Prob Sun | Groin - 18 / 12 / 17 | 4-0 | 2-2 | + - |
Klug has a groin injury but is expected to play against the Rams on Sunday. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Travis Kelce (TE) | day-to-day | Concussion - 06 / 01 / 18 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Kelce left Saturday's game with a concussion and will not return. |
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Tyreek Hill (WR) | Prob Sat | Personal - 04 / 01 / 18 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Hill is expected to play Saturday against the Titans despite dealing with a personal issue. |
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Jarvis Jenkins (DL) | Prob Sat | Knee - 03 / 01 / 18 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Jenkins is battling a knee injury but is expected to play against the Titans in the AFC wild-card round. |
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Albert Wilson (WR) | Prob Sat | Hamstring - 02 / 01 / 18 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Wilson has a hamstring injury but is expected to be available for the AFC wild-card round against the Titans. |
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Phillip Gaines (DB) | I-R | Elbow - 31 / 12 / 17 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Gaines has an elbow injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list. |
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De'Anthony Thomas (WR) | I-R | Leg - 31 / 12 / 17 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Thomas sustained a broken tibia and is on the injured reserve list. |
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Kenneth Acker (DB) | Ques Sun | Illness - 30 / 12 / 17 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Acker has an illness and his status is unknown for Sunday's game against the Broncos. |
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Rakeem Nunez-Roches (DL) | Out Sat | Ankle - 30 / 12 / 17 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Nunez-Roches is nursing a right ankle injury and will be inactive against the Titans in the AFC wild-card round. |
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Kevin Pierre-Louis (LB) | Ques Sat | Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 17 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Pierre-Louis is dealing with a shoulder injury and his status against the Titans in the AFC wild-card round is up in the air. |
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Cameron Erving (OL) | Ques Sun | Illness - 30 / 12 / 17 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Erving has come down with an illness, leaving his availability against the Broncos on Sunday in question. |
Titans vs. Chiefs Prediction
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TENNESSEE TITANS
17 -
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
24
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 1 Jan 1:08pm TEN -7.5 -110 O +45 -110 Closing 6 Jan 8:59pm TEN -9 -110 O +44.5 -105 -
Weather
temp 33 condition sunny wind Southeast 10mph -
Injuries
Logan Ryan (CB)
Prob Sat Ankle - 09 / 01 / 18Quinton Spain (G)
Prob Sat Back - 09 / 01 / 18Brice McCain (CB)
Prob Sat Hamstring - 03 / 01 / 18Kalan Reed (CB)
Prob Sat Concussion - 03 / 01 / 18Da'Norris Searcy (S)
Prob Sat Illness - 03 / 01 / 18Jonnu Smith (TE)
Prob Sat Concussion - 03 / 01 / 18DeMarco Murray (RB)
Out Sat Knee - 24 / 12 / 17Nate Palmer (LB)
Ques Sun Illness - 21 / 12 / 17LeShaun Sims (CB)
I-R Hamstring - 20 / 12 / 17Karl Klug (DL)
Prob Sun Groin - 18 / 12 / 17Travis Kelce (TE)
day-to-day Concussion - 06 / 01 / 18Tyreek Hill (WR)
Prob Sat Personal - 04 / 01 / 18Jarvis Jenkins (DL)
Prob Sat Knee - 03 / 01 / 18Albert Wilson (WR)
Prob Sat Hamstring - 02 / 01 / 18Phillip Gaines (DB)
I-R Elbow - 31 / 12 / 17De'Anthony Thomas (WR)
I-R Leg - 31 / 12 / 17Kenneth Acker (DB)
Ques Sun Illness - 30 / 12 / 17Rakeem Nunez-Roches (DL)
Out Sat Ankle - 30 / 12 / 17Kevin Pierre-Louis (LB)
Ques Sat Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 17Cameron Erving (OL)
Ques Sun Illness - 30 / 12 / 17Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Logan Ryan (CB) Prob Sat Ankle - 09 / 01 / 18 1-0 0-1 + - Ryan will likely suit up against the Patriots in the AFC divisional round even though he is dealing with an ankle injury.
Quinton Spain (G) Prob Sat Back - 09 / 01 / 18 1-0 0-1 + - Spain is dealing with a back injury but is expected to be available for the AFC divisional round against the Patriots.
Brice McCain (CB) Prob Sat Hamstring - 03 / 01 / 18 2-0 0-2 + - McCain has a hamstring injury but is expected to play against the Chiefs in the AFC wild-card round.
Kalan Reed (CB) Prob Sat Concussion - 03 / 01 / 18 2-0 0-2 + - Reed is dealing with a concussion but is likely to be available for the AFC wild-card round against the Chiefs.
Da'Norris Searcy (S) Prob Sat Illness - 03 / 01 / 18 2-0 0-2 + - Searcy has come down with an illness but is expected to be available for the AFC wild-card round against the Chiefs.
Jonnu Smith (TE) Prob Sat Concussion - 03 / 01 / 18 2-0 0-2 + - Smith is going through concussion protocol but is expected to be cleared in time for the AFC wild-card round against the Chiefs.
DeMarco Murray (RB) Out Sat Knee - 24 / 12 / 17 4-0 2-2 + - Murray suffered a third-degree MCL tear and will not be available for the AFC divisional round against the Patriots.
Nate Palmer (LB) Ques Sun Illness - 21 / 12 / 17 4-0 2-2 + - Palmer is ailing from an illness and it is undetermined if it will keep him out of Sunday's lineup against the Rams.
LeShaun Sims (CB) I-R Hamstring - 20 / 12 / 17 4-0 2-2 + - Sims hurt his hamstring and is on the injured reserve list.
Karl Klug (DL) Prob Sun Groin - 18 / 12 / 17 4-0 2-2 + - Klug has a groin injury but is expected to play against the Rams on Sunday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Travis Kelce (TE) day-to-day Concussion - 06 / 01 / 18 1-0 1-0 + - Kelce left Saturday's game with a concussion and will not return.
Tyreek Hill (WR) Prob Sat Personal - 04 / 01 / 18 1-0 1-0 + - Hill is expected to play Saturday against the Titans despite dealing with a personal issue.
Jarvis Jenkins (DL) Prob Sat Knee - 03 / 01 / 18 1-0 1-0 + - Jenkins is battling a knee injury but is expected to play against the Titans in the AFC wild-card round.
Albert Wilson (WR) Prob Sat Hamstring - 02 / 01 / 18 1-0 1-0 + - Wilson has a hamstring injury but is expected to be available for the AFC wild-card round against the Titans.
Phillip Gaines (DB) I-R Elbow - 31 / 12 / 17 2-0 1-1 + - Gaines has an elbow injury and has been placed on the injured reserve list.
De'Anthony Thomas (WR) I-R Leg - 31 / 12 / 17 2-0 1-1 + - Thomas sustained a broken tibia and is on the injured reserve list.
Kenneth Acker (DB) Ques Sun Illness - 30 / 12 / 17 2-0 1-1 + - Acker has an illness and his status is unknown for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Rakeem Nunez-Roches (DL) Out Sat Ankle - 30 / 12 / 17 2-0 1-1 + - Nunez-Roches is nursing a right ankle injury and will be inactive against the Titans in the AFC wild-card round.
Kevin Pierre-Louis (LB) Ques Sat Shoulder - 30 / 12 / 17 2-0 1-1 + - Pierre-Louis is dealing with a shoulder injury and his status against the Titans in the AFC wild-card round is up in the air.
Cameron Erving (OL) Ques Sun Illness - 30 / 12 / 17 2-0 1-1 + - Erving has come down with an illness, leaving his availability against the Broncos on Sunday in question.