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AFC Championship Live Blog: Chiefs Beat Titans, Advance to Super Bowl LIV

Chiefs and Titans battle for a chance to go to Super Bowl LIV. Live updates, score updates, playoff updates and highlights

Michael Shapiro

AFC Championship Live Blog: Chiefs Beat Titans, Advance to Super Bowl LIV
AFC Championship Live Blog: Chiefs Beat Titans, Advance to Super Bowl LIV /

The Chiefs are going to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1970.

Kansas City overcame a 10–0 deficit against the Titans on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Texas Tech product shredded Tennessee on Sunday with 294 yards and three passing touchdowns, adding a rushing score with a 27-yard scamper to the end zone late in the second quarter. One year after a devastating AFC Championship loss, Kansas City has finally ended its five-decade Super Bowl drought.

Mahomes completed passes to six different receivers on Sunday, including a pair of touchdown tosses to Tyreek Hill. The speedy wideout hauled in five catches for 67 yards, scoring Kansas City's first two touchdowns. The 49ers or Packers will have their hands full in Super Bowl LIV.

Ryan Tannehill turned in a solid 209-yard performance on Sunday, adding a touchdown on a completion to offensive lineman Dennis Kelly in the second quarter. But Tannehill couldn't keep up with Mahomes as Kansas City largely bottled the Titans' dominant running game. Derrick Henry tallied 69 yards on 19 carries, failing to run through the Chiefs as he did against the Patriots and Ravens in the AFC wild card and divisional rounds. The Titans' magical run ended in Kansas City.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid will head to the Super Bowl for the second time in his career on Feb. 2. He lost Super Bowl XXXIX against the Patriots as the Eagles' head coach in February 2005.

Follow along for all postgame news and reactions on Sports Illustrated's TitansMaven and ChiefsDigest sites. You can also find the final box score here.

Chiefs vs. Titans Live Blog

6:10 p.m. ET – Chiefs Advance to Super Bowl LIV

The Chiefs forced an incompletion from Ryan Tannehill on fourth down to regain possession with 1:20 remaining. Patrick Mahomes took a trio of kneel downs, sending Kansas City to the Super Bowl for the first time 1970. 

5:55 p.m. ET – Titans Commit Critical Pass Interference

The Titans looked to force a punt on a Chiefs third down with just under four minutes minutes remaining, but defensive back Tramaine Brock Sr. committed a 41-yard pass interference. The time remaining is perhaps more important than the yardage as the Titans have just one timeout as Kansas City has a first down at the Tennessee 19-yard line. 

5:50 p.m. ET – Tannehill finds Firkser For Seven

Ryan Tannehill put the Titans back within two scores with 4:18 left on Sunday as he tossed a touchdown pass to Anthony Firkser in the middle of the end zone. Tennessee went 80 yards in less than four minutes, and it now trails Kansas City 35-24.

5:45 p.m. ET – Titans Complete Fake Punt

Tennessee kept its AFC title hopes alive with a fake punt inside its own territory, earning a first down on a pass from Brett Kern to Jonnu Smith. It was a nice toss from Kern, but the Titans will need to score quickly to stay alive in Kansas City.

5:40 p.m. ET – Mahomes Completes Bomb to Watkins

Patrick Mahomes gave the Chiefs a 35-17 lead on a mammoth 60-yard touchdown pass to Sammy Watkins midway through the fourth quarter. The deep toss was Mahomes' third touchdown pass of the day, extending the Chiefs' advantage to three scores. Ryan Tannehill and the Titans will need a minor miracle to advance to Super Bowl LIV. 

5:25 p.m. ET – Damien Williams Gives Chiefs 27-17 Lead

Kansas City continued to rely on the running game to close its seven-minute drive as Damien Williams ran in a touchdown from three yards out. The Chiefs overcame a 10-0 deficit on Sunday, and are now just under 15 minutes from the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance since 1969. 

5:20 p.m. ET – Chiefs Bleed Clock, Hold Lead 

The Chiefs changed the pace on their final drive of the third quarter, calling seven run plays on an 11-play, 70 yard drive. The long trot down the field didn't result in a score, though. The Chiefs closed the quarter with a 2nd and 6 at the Tennessee 18-yard line, leading the contest 21-17. After a thrilling second quarter, the two teams were held scoreless before the final 15 minutes.

4:55 p.m. ET – Andy Reid Wins Challenge, Chiefs Get First Down

Officials ruled Sammy Watkins' third-down reception near the sideline incomplete, but the Chiefs retained possession after a challenge by Andy Reid. Kansas City advanced to the its own 34-yard line with the overturned call in the Chiefs' first possession of the second half. 

4:30 p.m. ET – Mahomes Rushes for Miraculous TD

What can't Patrick Mahomes do? The Chiefs QB capped an 86-yard touchdown drive with a 27-yard scamper to the end zone, giving Kansas City a 21-17 lead with just eleven seconds left in the first half. Mahomes has now thrown for 172 yards and accounted for three touchdowns. He remains the league's most dangerous quarterback.

4:15 p.m. ET – Hill Strikes Again for TD

Tyreek Hill continued to shine on Sunday, blazing past the Titans secondary for a 20-yard touchdown down the seam. Mahomes is now 9-13 for 120 yards and two touchdowns in the AFC Championship as the Chiefs trail 17-14 with 4:03 left in the second quarter.

4 p.m. ET – Titans Seize 17-7 Lead After Penalty

The Kansas City defense committed a critical penalty on 3rd and 22 for Tennessee, interfering with Titans receiver Corey Davis. The error cost the Chiefs in a major way. Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill tossed a beautiful touchdown pass off play-action, finding offensive lineman Dennis Kelly. The fat-guy touchdown gave the Titans a 10-point lead midway through the second quarter.

3:45 p.m. ET – Hill Puts Chiefs on Board

Tyreek Hill's speed is perhaps unmatched in the NFL, and the Chiefs receiver turned on the jets as he scored on an eight-yard flip pass from Mahomes. Kansas City now trails 10-7 with 46 seconds left in the first quarter.

3:30 p.m. ET – Henry Scores on Direct Snap

Two drives, two scores for the Titans who found the end zone on a direct snap to Derrick Henry with 5:52 left in the first quarter. After trailing 24-0 to Houston last week, the Chiefs are now down 10-0 in the first quarter in the AFC Championship.

3:20 p.m. ET – Breeland Interception Overturned

Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland appeared to make a major defensive play in the first quarter, intercepting Ryan Tannehill in Kansas City territory. But Breeland came just short of the INT. The ball hit the turf upon replay review, and Titans head coach Mike Vrabel won his first challenge of the afternoon.

3:10 p.m. ET – Titans take 3-0 lead

The Chiefs defense held after A.J. Brown's big play, forcing a field goal after two incompletions. Titans kicker Greg Joseph converted from 30 yards out to get the Tennessee on the board first. 

3:05 p.m. ET – Big Play for Brown

Titans rookie AJ Brown got Tennessee off to a roaring start on Sunday with a 37-yard reception through the heart of the Chiefs secondary. Brown caught just two passes in the last two games, but made an immediate impact on Sunday. 

3 p.m. ET – Chiefs Win Toss, Defer

Andy Reid and the Chiefs won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. The Titans punted on their first drive against the Ravens in the AFC divisional round. Will they reach the end zone early in Kansas City? 

More From Maven Team Sites:
Chiefs: Chiefs Heading to Super Bowl for First Time in 50 Years
Titans: Titans Say They'll Remember Sense of Family, Not Failure

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Michael Shapiro
MICHAEL SHAPIRO

Michael Shapiro is a staff writer for Sports Illustrated. He is a Denver native and 2018 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin.

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