As the Kansas City Chiefs turn their attention to Sunday’s Week 16 matchup with the Tennessee Titans, their message has been just like those before any other game: records aside, their opponent demands respect. With the postseason out of reach — and three games remaining — Kansas City is focused on finishing with purpose. That begins with a physical test in Tennessee.
Head coach Andy Reid opened the week by pointing to Tennessee’s defense — and the way the team has responded under interim head coach Mike
McCoy.
“They’re playing good football,” said Reid, “particularly on the defensive side with that defensive front. They’ve got a heck of a defensive front. Mike’s done a nice job of taking over as the interim. He’s had a lot of experience as a head coach, so he knows how to handle a role like that. He’s done a nice job of keeping the guys going and playing hard.”
Defensive end George Karlaftis noted that the Titans have been improving in recent weeks.
“Their record doesn’t indicate it, but it’s a tough team,” he said. “They play really hard. If you watch the tape over the past three games, they’re playing really good football.”
Karlaftis also believes last April’s No. 1 overall draft pick — quarterback Cam Ward — will present a challenge, along with veteran running back Tony Pollard.
“He can make all the throws,” Karlaftis said of Ward. “He’s athletic. He’s strong. The offensive line keeps getting better. Their running back — Pollard — is a great player. And they’ve got weapons. We’ve got a lot of respect for them.”
Defensive end Ashton Gillotte faced Ward in college last season — and on film, his traits remain evident.
“It’s still the same thing,” he observed. “He’s got amazing arm talent. He’s got good vision. He’s a strong quarterback — especially in the pocket. He can shrug off blocks.”
Gillotte added that against such a player, limiting explosive plays will be critical.
“If you let quarterbacks like that work, they’ll make plays,” he said. “So it’s about minimizing those opportunities and capitalizing when we get ours.”
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is also impressed with the Tennessee rookie.
“I’ll tell you what: he can zip that thing,” he observed of Ward’s passing. “He can spin it. He’s got a really strong arm, and he’s another athletic quarterback.”
But for Spagnuolo, it doesn’t stop there.
“He’s got a good young receiver,” he added, “and I think both those backs are really good.”
Defensive tackle Chris Jones noted the strides Tennessee has made since its coaching change — particularly on offense.
“They’ve been scoring 20 to 30 points in each of their last three games,” Jones said. “That tells you the improvement they’re making on offense. They’re making strides.”
Jones also praised the quarterback’s toughness and mobility.
“He’s got a heck of an arm,” he noted. “He’s very mobile in the pocket — [and] he’s strong, too. He doesn’t want to go down; it’s going to be tough trying to bring him down.”
With postseason hopes gone, the Chiefs’ focus has shifted toward evaluation — and finishing strong. The message from Reid and his defense is clear: Tennessee is improving, dangerous and worthy of full attention — regardless of where either team stands in the playoff race.
