The Chiefs avenged last year’s overtime AFC championship game loss with a 35-24 win over the Titans to notch their first Super Bowl appearance since 1969.
Kansas City had to dig out of an early deficit again as the Chiefs trailed 10-0 in the first quarter. Similar to the 24-point comeback last week against the Texans, the Chiefs again stormed back behind their high-powered offense.
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Patrick Mahomes finished the day 23-of-35 for 294 yards and three passing touchdowns, in addition to a dazzling 27-yard touchdown scramble in the second quarter. After a relatively slow start, Mahomes and the Chiefs offense found their momentum as the game progressed and were in control throughout the second half.
Much of the talk entering Sunday involved Kansas City’s plan to stop Titans running back Derrick Henry, who had tallied 377 rushing yards and two total touchdowns in Tennessee’s first two playoff games. Though Henry did find the end zone, the Chiefs held Henry in check with just 69 rushing yards on 19 carries as the Kansas City defense dominated the game’s final 30 minutes.
Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from Chiefs vs. Titans in the AFC championship game:
Chiefs vs. Titans score
| 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | F | |
| Titans | 10 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| Chiefs | 7 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 35 |
Chiefs vs. Titans live update, highlights from AFC championship
(All times ET)
FINAL: Chiefs 35, Titans 24
3:07 p.m.: Frank Clark sacks Tannehill on fourth down and Kansas City will kneel out the victory.
3 p.m.: Chiefs punt it back to Tennessee just before the two-minute warning.
2:54 p.m.: Tennessee is flagged for a deflating pass-interference penalty on third-and-long on a deep shot to Mecole Hardman. The penalty winds up being more than a 40-yard gain for the Chiefs.
2:47 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, TITANS. Tannehill strikes with a 22-yard completion to Anthony Firkser for the score with 4:18 remaining. Chiefs 35, Titans 24.
2:45 p.m.: Instead of punting, the Titans perfectly execute a fake punt and throw to pick up the first down.
2:44 p.m.: Titans aren’t able to get anything going and will line up to punt again.
2:37 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, CHIEFS. Mahomes launches deep downfield to an open Sammy Watkins who cashes it in for a 60-yard score. Kansas City can smell the victory now. Chiefs 35, Titans 17.
2:28 p.m.: Tannehill is sacked on third down as the Tennessee offense continues to struggle in the second half. Titans have to punt once again.
2:22 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, CHIEFS. Damien Williams goes off to the right with the handoff and sneaks into the end zone to open the fourth quarter with a touchdown. Chiefs 28, Titans 17.
End of third quarter: Chiefs 21, Titans 17
2:18 p.m.: Chiefs end the third quarter just yards away from adding another touchdown to the day’s total.
2:08 p.m.: Kansas City will get the ball back after forcing another Tennessee punt.
1:58 p.m.: Mahomes’ pass to Hill goes through his hands and falls incomplete. Kansas City will have to punt it away.
1:47 p.m.: Chiefs will get the second half started on offense.
Halftime: Chiefs 21, Titans 17
Stats
Possession: Titans 19:02, Chiefs 10:52
First downs: Chiefs 14, Titans 14
Net yards: Chiefs 213, Titans 186
Rushing yards: Titans 66, Chiefs 43
Passing yards: Chiefs 170, Titans 120
Penalties: Titans 4-25, Chiefs 5-36
1:28 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, CHIEFS. Mahomes scrambles out of the pocket, breaks a series of tackles and then spins his way into the end zone. Chiefs take the lead right before the break. Chiefs 21, Titans 17.
1:18 p.m.: Chiefs force a quick stop and will get the ball back after the two-minute warning.
1:12 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, CHIEFS. Mahomes drills Tyreek Hill for a 20-yard dart to bring the Chiefs back within a field goal. Titans 17, Chiefs 14.
1:05 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, TITANS. Tannehill fakes the handoff and hits uncovered offensive tackle Dennis Kelly for the touchdown pass. Titans 17, Chiefs 7.
End of first quarter: Titans 10, Chiefs 7
12:46 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, CHIEFS. Tyreek Hill takes the pop pass from Mahomes into the end zone from 8 yards out to close the gap. Titans 10, Chiefs 7.
12:30 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, TITANS. Derrick Henry takes the direct snap and navigates into the end zone untouched for the score. Titans 10, Chiefs 0.
12:28 p.m.: A short pass moves the sticks on fourth down. Titans keep the drive alive.
12:25 p.m.: The play is ruled incomplete and then Chris Jones is called for an offsides penalty, granting Tennessee a fresh set of downs at the Chiefs 37.
12:21 p.m.: Bashaud Breeland appears to intercept Tannehill’s pass downfield but the play is under review and initially appears to be incomplete.
12:16 p.m.: Kansas City goes three-and-out on its first drive of the day.
12:11 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, TITANS. Tennessee hits its first attempted field goal in over a month as the Titans tally three points on their opening drive. Titans 3, Chiefs 0.
12:07 p.m.: Tannehill hits A.J. Brown who gains 37 yards and is within the Chiefs 30 and in striking distance.
12:05 p.m.: Ryan Tannehill and the Titans will get things started on offense from Arrowhead Stadium.
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