Mariota sparks Tennessee’s rally
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Marcus Mariota did everything he could to help the Titans advance in the playoffs, throwing a touchdown pass to himself, running for crucial first downs and providing the kind of spark that Tennessee needed to rally from a big halftime hole.
Heck, he even threw a crucial block on the run that clinched the game.
It all added up to a 22-21 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, the first postseason win for the Titans in 14 years and one that will provide some relief — for the week, at least — for embattled coach Mike Mularkey.
“Special,” said Mariota, whose 205 yards passing included the go-ahead 22-yard strike to Eric Decker with six minutes left as the Titans overcame a 21-3 halftime deficit. “I’m part of a great team. I’m part of a group of guys that really believe in each other. And it’s something special.”
Now, the Titans will find out Sunday whether they’re headed to New England or Pittsburgh.
Derrick Henry added 156 yards rushing and another score for Tennessee, whose defense — fileted by Alex Smith and the Chiefs in the first half — pitched a shutout in the second half.
The Chiefs haven’t won a home playoff game since January 1994.
“I’m in shock,” Smith said. “The swing at halftime to the final whistle, definitely a shock. Yeah. Didn’t feel like we played up to how we’re capable of playing, and that’s disappointing.”
Smith threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns, but most of that came before halftime. He couldn’t get going in the second half and misfired on fourth-and-9 at the Titans’ 44 with just over two minutes to go, denying the Chiefs a chance for Harrison Butker to kick a go-ahead field goal.
Mariota threw a block that helped spring Henry for a 22-yard gain on third-and-10 late that helped finish off the comeback.
“Grit. It’s just grit,” Henry said. “We told them we’ve got 30 minutes left, all we’ve got to do is play our game. Execute the plays and everything will take care of itself.”
Mariota capped a 91-yard TD drive to start the second half in bizarre fashion: He threw a TD pass to himself.
His throw to the end zone was batted right back at him by Darrelle Revis, and Mariota caught the ball and dived for the goal line. It was the first time a player has thrown a TD pass to himself in the playoffs, and the first time in any game since the Vikings’ Brad Johnson during the 1997 season.
“Right place, right time,” Mariota said with a smile.
“I feel really good around our football team,” Mularkey said. “I know what I’m going to get from them every week. That’s a good feeling, knowing how they’re going to come out, no matter what.”