The Tennessee Titans will face one of their toughtest challenges of the 2022 season when they take on the Kansas City Chiefs on the road in Week 9 at Arrowhead Stadium on “Sunday Night Football”.
The Chiefs enter this game with a 5-2 record and after having won three of their last four games. Kansas City is also No. 3 in the conference, sitting a spot behind Tennessee.
The Chiefs made big headlines this offseason when they traded wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for five draft picks.
And, while many thought Kansas City would have issues without its best receiver, the Chiefs keep chugging right along and sport the No. 1 scoring offense and No. 2 passing attack in the NFL.
In order to get more information on Tennessee’s Week 9 opponent, we asked Chiefs Wire managing editor Charles Goldman a handful of questions about the team he covers. You can check out his responses below.
1. Talk about the impact Frank Clark's absence will have on the Chiefs' defense.
Goldman: I hate to break it to you, but I’m not sure the team will miss Clark all that much. Sure, he had his best game of the season ahead of the bye week, but he’s been a beacon of inconsistency throughout his career. I’d bet on Aliens existing before I’d bet on him putting up back-to-back games with that kind of production. If anything, this might end up being addition by subtraction because it’ll allow Carlos Dunlap to get even more snaps. He’s highly motivated too as he needs just two more sacks before reaching 100 for his career.
2. The Chiefs seem to be doing just fine without Tyreek Hill; how have they managed?
Goldman: They’ve become more efficient on offense. They’re spreading the ball out a lot. It seems like there are at least eight to nine guys catching passes every week and three to four players getting touches in the run game. It makes it hard to game plan for Kansas City because any given week, any number of players could go off and have a big game. In Week 7 against the 49ers for instance, K.C. had basically three 100-yard receivers and another receiver who had three total touchdowns.
3. What's behind the big improvement for the Chiefs' run defense?
Goldman: Defensive line coach Joe Cullen. He’s been a big-time difference-maker when it comes to the defensive line’s play in both the run game and the passing game. Veteran guys like Chris Jones and Frank Clark have been raving about him and the young guys have taken to him and his coaching style as well. He really seems to coach them in a way that is bringing out the best in that group.
4. Name one under-the-radar player on both sides of the ball who could make a big impact.
Goldman: On offense, I’ll go with rookie RB Isiah Pacheco. He got his first career start in Week 7 and the coaching staff loves what he brings to the table with his violent running style. I know Tennessee has been good against the run this season, but they look rather banged up on the defensive line right now. I think it might behoove Kansas City to establish the run with a player like Pacheco this week.
As for the defense, I’m looking at Willie Gay Jr. as a potential difference-maker. He’s on his second game back after suspension and should be looking at a full complement of snaps in Week 9. In my humble opinion, there have been times when he’s looked like the second-best defensive player on the team next to Chris Jones. He just hasn’t had much of a chance to show it due to his early-year injury last season and the suspension this year.
5. Should we expect anything out of Kadarius Toney if he makes his debut?
Goldman: I think it’d be a pleasant surprise if Toney does much of anything for the Chiefs this week. Maybe he gets a chance to return some kicks and punts. Maybe they give him a package of plays in their opening script on offense and in the red zone. Early indications out of practice have been that he’s been impressive in the classroom, but as expected his timing and chemistry with Mahomes need a bit of work.
6. Give us your prediction for Week 9.
Goldman: Yeah, I’m going to give you two predictions. If Ryan Tannehill plays, I’m sticking with my prediction from USA TODAY Sports Weekly, which was Chiefs 37, Titans 20. If it’s the rookie, Malik Willis, I think Tennessee fans better pray for an early lead so they can ride Derrick Henry all night. Arrowhead Stadium is hardly the most welcoming spot for a rookie quarterback making his second start and this defense plays infinitely better in front of a home crowd. I’d be surprised if the Titans managed two touchdowns with the rookie at the helm.
Related: Behind enemy lines with Titans Wire
Chiefs Wire also asked us questions ahead of the Week 9 game. Check out our responses RIGHT HERE.
