#and then devonta smith totally catching out of bounds and forcing the game along before 49ers could challenge it?

[bearsace]

GO CHIEFS GO!

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New Post has been published on https://techcrunchapp.com/alabama-vs-georgia-final-score-results-tide-rebound-in-second-half-for-massive-win-over-bulldogs/

Alabama vs. Georgia final score, results: Tide rebound in second half for massive win over Bulldogs

It certainly had “Game of the Year” moments, but Saturday’s meeting between No. 2 Alabama and No. 3 Georgia — which pitted the Tide’s top-ranked offense against Georgia’s top-ranked defense — ended up in a predictable 41-24 win for the Crimson Tide.

The game could not have started worse for Alabama (4-0, 4-0 SEC) after Georgia’s Azeez Ojulari forced an interception on the first play from scrimmage by Mac Jones. Three plays later, a Justin Eboigbe interception of Stetson Bennett set the tone for what would be a wild first half. Bennett was efficient early, matching Jones’ stat line of two touchdowns and an interception in the first 30 minutes.

For a while, it seemed as if Alabama’s defense — which put up a historically bad effort against Ole Miss — would cost the Tide again: Georgia (3-1, 3-1 SEC) took a 24-17 lead with less than a minute remaining in the half on a 5-yard touchdown connection between Bennett and Jermaine Burton. But Alabama managed to sneak in a 52-yard field goal with a second remaining to make the score 24-20 at halftime. The kick, it seemed, completely turned the tide of the game.

Alabama’s defense responded in a big way in the second half, holding Georgia scoreless and forcing two punts, two interceptions and a missed field goal attempt. Meanwhile, Alabama scored on three consecutive drives, capped by a 90-yard Jaylen Waddle touchdown catch, a 2-yard Najee Harris touchdown run and a 13-yard DeVonta Smith touchdown catch, respectively.

Against that No. 1 Georgia defense, Jones completed 24 of 32 passes for 410 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. Harris was equally impressive, rushing 31 times for 152 yards and a score. Receivers Smith (11 catches, 167 yards, two touchdowns), Waddle (six catches, 161 yards, one score) and John Metchie III (three catches, 50 yards, one touchdown) also had excellent games.

Bennett finished the game completing 18 of 40 passes for 269 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Running back Zamir White rushed 10 times for 57 yards, while running back James Cook led all Bulldogs in receiving yards: He had four receptions for 101 yards and a score. Burton had four catches for 58 yards along with his touchdown.

Below are the live updates, highlights and scores from Saturday’s top-five SEC matchup between Alabama and Georgia in Tuscaloosa.

MORE: Watch college football live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)

Alabama vs. Georgia score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total Georgia 7 17 0 0 24 Alabama 7 13 14 7 41

Alabama vs. Georgia live updates, highlights

(All times Eastern)

Final: Alabama 41, Georgia 24

11:31 p.m.: And Alabama just sucks the life out of Georgia’s defense with a ton of runs — not unlike the pre-Lane Kiffin units. That will do it from Tuscaloosa.

11:27 p.m.: Harris is now gashing Georgia’s defense. He has 128 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries.

11:26 p.m.: Harris gets a first down run — every ticking second is a dagger for the Bulldogs’ hopes of winning.

11:23 p.m.: GEORGIA MISSED FIELD GOAL. That’s a rough outcome for Georgia; Podlesny misses the 35-yard field goal just to the left. With just over six minutes remaining, that could be it for Georgia.

11:23 p.m.: Bama gets off the field after Bennett only nets 4 yards on a third-and-14. The field goal team is coming out to attempt to make it a two-touchdown game.

11:22 p.m.: Harris is in on another couple plays to make it third-and-14 for Georgia from the Alabama 22.

11:20 p.m.: A Christian Harris sack is negated by a hold on Josh Jobe. Georgia gets 10 yards to the Alabama 36 and a fresh set of downs.

11:18 p.m.: Georgia needs to get something going now. Bennett hits Jackson for a 19-yard gain into Alabama territory with roughly 8:30 left to play.

11:13 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA. Jones goes for the dagger! He hits Smith in the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown. Incredible effort by Smith not only to high-point the ball over the defender, but to also bring his foot down inbounds and maintain control of the ball through the end of the catch. It’s 41-24 Alabama with 9:32 remaining.

11:11 p.m.: Harris uses a patient power run game to net another third-down conversion. That’s the sixth straight run by Alabama this drive (after the Waddle target).

11:09 p.m.: Tide are turning to Harris after that free set of downs. Ideal outcome for Bama would be to kill clock and get a score here.

11:07 p.m.: Go for the kill. Jones targets Waddle, who is held by Tyrique Stevenson. That’s an automatic first down and 10 yards for Alabama. The Tide are driving in Georgia territory.

11:07 p.m.: What will Alabama do now that it has a 10-point lead and the ball? Try to grind out drives or go for the kill?

11:04 p.m.: INTERCEPTION ALABAMA. Bennett avoids the sack, rolls out and throws the ball to Alabama’s Daniel Wright. A block in the back backs Alabama up to its 45-yard line, but that’s another huge play by the Tide defense.

Third quarter: Alabama 34, Georgia 24

10:58 p.m.: Alabama’s kickoff team has been suspect on coverage. The Bulldogs get the ball at their 38.

10:55 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA. One play later, Harris runs it in from 2 yards out to make it 34-24. The momentum has swung completely in Alabama’s favor with 51 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

10:54 p.m.: Alabama gets a fresh set of downs after Stokes is called for pass interference on Smith in the end zone. Alabama gets the ball at the 2-yard line.

10:52 p.m.: And now Alabama is getting cute — Harris flips the ball back to Jones for a flea-flicker, and Jones hits Smith for a 34-yard gain to the Georgia 11.

10:51 p.m.: INTERCEPTION ALABAMA. A tipped pass ricochets into freshman Malachi Moore’s hands, and he returns it 42 yards to the Alabama 44. Great opportunity here for Alabama.

10:49 p.m.: Georgia trading haymakers with Alabama. Bennett finds Burton for a 36-yard gain to Alabama’s 35. One play later, James Cook takes it 11 yards for another first down. Bulldogs are already driving near the red zone.

10:44 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA. Waddle finally makes the big play on a 90-yard touchdown reception from Jones to retake the lead for the first time this half. Alabama leads 27-24 with four minutes remaining in the third.

10:39 p.m.: Georgia punter Jake Camarda boots it 48 yards on fourth-and-2 from Georgia’s 43-yard line. Kudos to the Bulldogs’ punt coverage team, as well: They’re not letting Jaylen Waddle get anything. He calls a fair catch at Alabama’s 9.

10:37 p.m.: Georgia continues to rely on the run on their next drive, getting 3 yards on a third-and-1 carry.

10:32 p.m.: Alabama tries to go hurry-up, but it seems there was a mix-up between Jones and Forristal. He is hit hard for a 7-yard loss sack by Nakobe Dean, and the Tide’s drive stalls at the Georgia 41. The Bulldogs take over at their 9-yard line after the punt.

10:30 p.m.: Jones gets a couple of 10-plus-yard passes to Smith, followed by a holding call by Georgia on Waddle. The Tide are already out to their 47-yard line.

10:29 p.m.: Jones is a little gimpy after getting hit out of bounds on the throwaway — will we see some more pressure dialed up by Georgia?

10:27 p.m.: Alabama will take over at its 10-yard line, but smart play by Smart to — no pun intended — to steal a timeout.

10:24 p.m.: Josh Jobe breaks up an intended pass to Burton, making it fourth-and-5 from the Alabama 44. But Georgia forces an Alabama timeout looking to attempt a fourth-down conversion.

10:23 p.m.: The Bulldogs are relying heavily on the ground game early in the second half; trying to set up play-action?

10:22 p.m.: Georgia uses the run to get a couple of chunk plays; the Bulldogs are already driving just past midfield.

10:21 p.m.: Georgia gets a decent return and will take over at its 39-yard line.

Halftime: Georgia 24, Alabama 20

10:03 p.m.: Some halftime stats: Alabama has outgained Georgia 298-268. The Tide have a 244-177 advantage through the air, but Georgia has 91 rushing yards to Alabama’s 74.

Mac Jones has completed 15 of 23 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns to one interception; Stetson Bennett is 12 of 25 for 177 yards and two touchdowns to one pick.

Alabama’s Najee Harris leads all rushers with 80 yards off just 13 carries. Georgia’s James Cook — a running back — leads all receivers with 101 yards off four receptions. Each of Alabama’s primary receivers has more than 50 yards on the night as well (DeVonta Smith: 86 yards, one touchdown; Jaylen Waddle: 70 receiving yards; John Metchie III: 50 yards, one touchdown).

10 p.m: FIELD GOAL ALABAMA. Reichard just sneaks it inside the left upright for a 52-yard field goal. That makes it 24-20 Georgia, but that’s a pretty big momentum swing for the Tide right before halftime.

9:57 p.m.: Jones hits Waddle for a first down down to the Georgia 34; Alabama spikes it with just a second remaining. The Tide will attempt a 52-yard field goal.

9:55 p.m.: Jones then hits Forristal to get out to the Georgia 46. One more decent gain and Alabama can attempt a long field goal.

9:54 p.m.: Harris gets a 14-yard gain on first down, and Alabama calls a timeout. They may try to get something going right before half with 16 seconds remaining.

9:52 p.m.: And the call is confirmed. 24-17 Georgia.

9:51 p.m.: Somehow, that play is under review. That should stand.

9:49 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN GEORGIA. Bennett doesn’t miss this time; he hits Burton in the back of the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown with just 23 seconds remaining in the half. That’s four straight scoring possessions for Georgia, and they get the ball to start the second half.

9:47 p.m.: Bennett missed another open man. This time he simply overthrew a wide-open Jermaine Burton. Third down from the 6 upcoming.

9:47 p.m.: Bennett misses Darnell Washington in the end zone; it’s now second-and-goal.

9:46 p.m.: Bennett gets Alabama’s defense to jump, but they get back in time; Bennett did it again, and then got Christian Barmore. Georgia has a fresh set of downs at the 6.

9:44 p.m.: Actually, after review, Georgia has it fourth-and-short just outside the 10-yard line. Decision time for Kirby Smart?

9:42 p.m.: Georgia looks to convert another third down; the Bulldogs have it first-and-goal at the 10-yard line with 56 seconds in the half.

9:40 p.m.: Bennett finds Pickens in the zone for a third-and-7 conversion of 19 yards. Georgia’s driving at the 20-yard line with 1:17 left to play in the half.

9:38 p.m.: Georgia is moving with temp and already has the ball past midfield. Could be a big drive for either team depending on how it plays out.

9:36 p.m.: Georgia will take over at its 33-yard line with two timeouts and just over three minutes left in the half.

9:33 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA. One play later, Jones finds Smith all alone on the wheel route for a 17-yard touchdown. We’re tied up at 17 with 3:06 remaining in the half.

9:31 p.m.: Jones has all day to throw and finds Smith for a huge third-down-converting connection. Alabama’s driving at the Georgia 20.

9:30 p.m.: Alabama still trying to throw haymakers; Jones hits Waddle for a 38-yard pickup to Georgia’s 37.

9:26 p.m.: FIELD GOAL GEORGIA. Jack Podlesny boots a 50-yard field goal right down the center to extend Georgia’s lead back to 17-10.

9:25 p.m.: Alabama finally gets off the field on third down; Bennett had Kenny McIntosh open, but his pass was batted down at the line of scrimmage.

9:22 p.m.: Georgia converts on third-and-2 with a 19-yard connection with George Pickens, his first catch of the game.

9:17 p.m: FIELD GOAL ALABAMA. And Reichard knocks it through; he’s 3 for 3 on the season and narrows Georgia’s lead to 14-10.

9:16 p.m.: Jones is sacked for a small loss on third down; Alabama kicker Will Reichard out to attempt the 33-yard field goal.

9:11 p.m.: Forristal makes a third down-converting catch and immediately falls down. Alabama has it first-and-10 at Georgia’s 21.

9:10 p.m.: Eric Stokes is called for holding on Smith, giving Alabama 10 yards and an automatic first down. Mental error by the DB there gives the Tide a fresh set of downs at the Georgia 33.

9:07 p.m.: Another catch by Smith, this one for 13 yards. However, Jones is called for unintentional grounding on the next play, making it second-and-22 from the Alabama 45.

9:06 p.m.: Alabama comes out swinging on their ensuing drive. Jones connects with DeVonta Smith on consecutive passes to get the Tide out to Georgia’s 45 (the last pass was nearly intercepted, however).

9:02 p.m: TOUCHDOWN GEORGIA. The Bulldogs’ first play of the second quarter is an 82-yard touchdown connection between Bennett and Cook. Alabama linebacker Christian Harris had position to defend it but completely misjudged the ball. That’ll make it 14-7 Georgia, the Bulldogs’ first lead of the night.

First quarter: Alabama 7, Georgia 7

8:57 p.m.: Alabama gets out to near midfield before stalling on the drive. Georgia will take over at its 14-yard line after the punt with just a couple seconds remaining in the quarter.

8:54 p.m.: Jones hit DeVonta Smith for the first time on the crossing route for a 12-yard gain. Bama is driving at its 37-yard line. One play later, Harris grinds for an 11-yard gain to get out to the 48.

8:51 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN GEORGIA. One play later, White takes it up the gut for a 10-yard score to tie the game at 7 apiece.

8:50 p.m.: Georgia converts on third down with Bennett catching James Cook out of the backfield. Bulldogs have it first-and-goal from the 10.

8:47 p.m.: Receiver Jermaine Burton drops a touchdown pass in the end zone — Bennett’s pass was slightly behind, but still very catchable. It’s third-and-9 Georgia from Alabama’s 20.

8:46 p.m.: On the ensuing play, freshman running back Kendall Milton gashes Alabama for 24 yards straight up the gut. Georgia is driving at the 21, just outside the red zone.

8:45 p.m.: Stetson hits Jackson down the sideline, but the receiver can’t bring it in. The Bulldogs will face second-and-10 from Alabaama’s 45.

8:44 p.m.: Jones clearly feels pressure on the third-down pass-rush and short-arms it to his open receiver. A 30-yard punt gives Georgia the ball around its 40.

8:43 p.m.: Waddle drops a pass that would have gone for 26 yards to midfield; but it’s not all bad. Forristal is out of the locker room and running on his own power.

8:41 p.m.: Three straight rushes by Harris get Alabama out to its 24-yard line.

8:37 p.m.: Waddle gets a decent return, but Patrick Surtain II is called for block in the back. The Tide will take over at their own 7.

8:36 p.m.: Alabama gets off the field on third down; Bennett tried to hit Kearis Jackson, but Alabama’s Daniel Wright and Brian Branch double-covered it. Punt team coming on again.

8:34 p.m.: Zamir White takes the ball off left tackle for a 10-yard gain on second-and-10. Georgia’s now driving at the 24.

8:30 p.m.: Jones hits Metchie underneath for a 9-yard gain out to the 49. It’s fourth-and-1, but the punting unit will come out. Georgia will take over at their 15-yard line.

8:28 p.m.: Bama starts the next drive with a 17-yard run up the gut by Najee Harris. Tide driving at the 40.

8:24 p.m.: The Alabama defense forces a Stetson Bennett sack on third-and-long; Dylan Moses and Christian Barmore get the credit. That’s an interception and three-and-out by the Tide defense to start the game. Alabama will take back over on its 23.

8:18 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA. On the very next play, Jones hits John Metchie III over the top for a 40-yard touchdown with 13:16 left in the quarter.

8:17 p.m.: Jaylen Waddle takes a tunnel screen 16 yards across midfield for Alabama. Tide are driving at the 40.

8:16 p.m.: INTERCEPTION ALABAMA. Three plays into Georgia’s drive, DJ Dale knocks up a Stetson Bennett pass into teammate Justin Eboigbe’s hands. Bama back on its 42.

8:14 p.m.: INTERCEPTION GEORGIA. The play stands as called on the field. They’ll take over at Bama’s 41.

8:11 p.m.: Already there’s a huge play by Georgia. On the first play from scrimmage, linebacker Azeez Ojulari knocks pressures Mac Jones and knocks affects his pass; Richard Lecounte is credited for the interception, but it’s under review. Meanwhile, tight end Miller Forristal is being looked at by trainers.

8:10 p.m.: Georgia wins the toss and defers. Alabama’s offense will take over at the 24-yard line to start the game.

Alabama vs. Georgia start time

Date: Saturday, Oct. 17

Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET

TV channel (national): CBS

Live stream: CBS All Access, fuboTV

​Alabama’s game against Georgia is the second of three “SEC on CBS” broadcasts for the Tide in 2020; the first was a 52-24 win vs. Texas A&M in Week 5; the third will be at LSU in Tiger Stadium on Nov. 14. As for Georgia, this is the first of two “SEC on CBS” broadcasts.The Bulldogs’ second appearance will occur on Nov. 7 against Florida in Jacksonville, Fla.

Alabama football schedule 2020

Week 4 Sept. 26 Alabama 38, Missouri 19 Week 5 Oct. 3 Alabama 52, Texas A&M 24 Week 6 Oct. 10 Alabama 63, Ole Miss 48 Week 7 Oct. 17 Alabama 41, Georgia 24 Week 8 Oct. 24 at Tennessee Week 9 Oct. 31 vs. Mississippi State Week 10 Nov. 7 Bye Week 11 Nov. 14 at LSU Week 12 Nov. 21 vs. Kentucky Week 13 Nov. 28 vs. Auburn Week 14 Dec. 5 at Arkansas

Georgia football schedule 2020

Week 4 Sept. 26 Georgia 37, Arkansas 10 Week 5 Oct. 3 Georgia 27, Auburn 6 Week 6 Oct. 10 Georgia 44, Tennessee 21 Week 7 Oct. 17 Alabama 41, Georgia 24 Week 8 Oct. 24 at Kentucky Week 9 Oct. 31 Bye Week 10 Nov. 7 vs. Florida (Jacksonville) Week 11 Nov. 14 at Missouri Week 12 Nov. 21 vs. Mississippi State Week 13 Nov. 28 at South Carolina Week 14 Dec. 5 vs. Vanderbilt

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New Post has been published on https://www.stl.news/latest-falcons-topple-rams-26-13-face-eagles-next/62823/

The Latest: Falcons topple Rams 26-13, face Eagles next

/January 6, 2018 (AP)(STL.News) —The Latest on the NFL playoffs on wild-card weekend (all times EST):

11:45 p.m.

Matt Ryan passed for 218 yards and hit Julio Jones for an 8-yard touchdown with 5:48 to play, and the defending NFC champion Falcons advanced from the wild-card round with a methodical 26-13 victory over the Rams.

Devonta Freeman rushed for an early score and Matt Bryant kicked four field goals for the Falcons (11-6), who spoiled the Rams’ first playoff game in 13 years while showing off the postseason poise they earned from last season’s journey to the Super Bowl.

Atlanta never trailed at the Coliseum while winning playoff games in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history.

The Falcons advanced to face the top-seeded Eagles on Jan. 13 in Philadelphia.

___

10:50 p.m.

The Atlanta Falcons got two more field goals from Matt Bryant to take a 19-10 lead against the Los Angeles Rams in their wild-card game.

Bryant had kicks of 25 and 54 yards as the Falcons controlled the clock in the third quarter.

He kicked field goals of 29 and 51 yards in the first quarter.

The Falcons got the kickoff to open the second half and, behind Matt Ryan, used half of the third quarter on a 16-play, 76-yard drive capped by Bryant’s 25-yarder.

Ryan kept the drive alive on a sneak on fourth-and-1 from the Rams 21.

Earlier, he hit Tevin Coleman for 14 yards on a screen pass on third-and-9.

Jared Goff had a nice 25-yard pass to Robert Woods but the Rams’ drive fizzled on an incompletion by Goff and a drop by Todd Gurley.

The Falcons then drove for Bryant’s 54-yarder.

— Bernie Wilson reporting in Los Angeles.

___

10 p.m.

The Los Angeles Rams scored 10 points in the final 2:34 of the first half to pull to 13-10 against the Atlanta Falcons in their wild-card playoff game.

After rookie Cooper Kupp made a nice over-the-shoulder catch of a 14-yard scoring toss from Jared Goff, the Rams got the ball back with 1:15 left and no timeouts.

Goff led them 67 yards in six plays, with the drive capped by Sam Ficken’s 35-yard field goal with 3 seconds left.

The drive was kept alive by a pass interference call against Blidi Wreh-Wilson followed by Goff’s 38-yard pass to Robert Woods.

The Rams benefited from a replay that added 8 seconds to the clock, but they still had to settle for the field goal.

After a halftime concert by Snoop Dogg, the Falcons were to receive the second-half kickoff.

— Bernie Wilson reporting in Los Angeles.

___

9:45 p.m.

The Los Angeles Rams finally showed some life in their first playoff game in 13 years and closed to 13-7 late in the second quarter of their wild-card game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Rookie Cooper Kupp made a nice over-the-shoulder catch of a 14-yard scoring pass from Jared Goff with 2:34 to go before halftime.

The big play on the drive was a 26-yard run by Todd Gurley, with 15 yards tacked on after Ricardo Allen shoved Gurley after he’d gone out of bounds.

The crowd chanted “M-V-P! M-V-P!” after the play.

Gurley led the NFL with 2,093 yards from scrimmage and 19 total TDs in the regular season.

He likely would have won the rushing title but sat out the finale, along with other stars, to rest for the playoffs.

— Bernie Wilson reporting in Los Angeles.

___

9:10 p.m.

The Atlanta Falcons have taken a 13-0 lead over the Los Angeles Rams early in the second quarter of their wild-card playoff game, thanks in large part to sloppy special teams play by Pro Bowl returner Pharoh Cooper.

Cooper fumbled on a kickoff return late in the first quarter when he was hit by Damontae Kazee, with Kemal Ishmael recovering at the Rams 32.

Devonta Freeman capped the short drive with a 3-yard scoring run.

Matt Bryant kicked field goals of 29 and 51 yards in the first quarter.

The Falcons’ first score was set up by a special teams blunder by the Rams that allowed Atlanta to almost completely flip the field.

With the Falcons forced to punt from their 14, Cooper was indecisive and let the ball bounce at about the L.A. 40.

It hit off Blake Countess’ foot during a wild scramble that ended with LaRoy Reynolds recovering at the Rams 17.

The Falcons had to settle for Bryant’s 29-yard field goal. He kicked a 51-yarder on Atlanta’s next possession.

— Bernie Wilson reporting in Los Angeles.

___

8:15 p.m.

The NFL playoffs returned to Los Angeles for the first time in a long time when the Rams hosted the Atlanta Falcons in a wild-card game.

The Rams are hosting their first playoff game in the Coliseum since Jan. 7, 1979, when they lost 28-0 to the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC championship game.

They’re hosting their first playoff game in Southern California since Jan. 4, 1986, when they beat the Cowboys 20-0 at Anaheim Stadium.

First-year coach Sean McVay, who has presided over the Rams’ stunning turnaround from 4-12 to 11-5, was born 20 days after that game.

The Rams moved to St. Louis after the 1994 season and won their only Super Bowl on Jan. 30, 2000, by beating Tennessee 23-16 in Atlanta.

They moved back prior to the 2016 season.

Until Sunday, the previous NFL playoff game at the Coliseum was on Jan. 9, 1994, when the L.A. Raiders beat the Denver Broncos 42-24.

The previous NFL playoff game in Southern California was Jan. 17, 2010, when the San Diego Chargers lost 17-14 to the New York Jets.

The Chargers moved to a Los Angeles suburb for this past season and missed the playoffs for the seventh time in eight seasons.

— Bernie Wilson reporting in Los Angeles.

___

7:55 p.m.

Marcus Mariota led Tennessee to three second-half touchdowns, incredibly throwing one of his TD passes to himself, and the Titans rallied from a 21-3 deficit to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 22-21 for their first playoff win in 14 years.

Mariota threw for 205 yards and two scores, including the 22-yard go-ahead strike to Eric Decker with just over six minutes left that ushered the Titans into the divisional round of the playoffs.

Derrick Henry had a career-high 156 yards rushing and another score for Tennessee (10-7), while a defense that was fileted by Alex Smith and the Chiefs (10-7) during the first half pitched a shutout in the second half — dooming the Kansas City franchise to another humiliating postseason defeat.

The Chiefs haven’t won a home playoff game since January 1994.

___

7:25 p.m.

The Titans have pulled ahead of the Chiefs 22-21 on Marcus Mariota’s touchdown pass to Eric Decker, and the ensuing 2-point conversion could become a point of controversy.

Tennessee went for two in an attempt to make it a field-goal advantage, and Mariota was wrapped up for a sack by Daniel Sorenson.

The ball came loose and Frank Zombo picked it up, and the linebacker began returning it for two points that would have swung the lead back to Kansas City.

But the officials had blown their whistles, ruling that Mariota’s progress had been stopped.

So, the Titans lead 22-21 with 6:06 left in the game.

— Dave Skretta reporting in Kansas City

___

7:05 p.m.

The Titans have pulled within 21-16 of the Chiefs after Derrick Henry ran nearly untouched 35 yards for a touchdown with 14:08 left in their playoff game.

The Chiefs have led the whole way, but their offense has grown stagnant since tight end Travis Kelce was knocked out with a concussion. And the Titans, for all their mistakes, have managed to keep plugging away behind Henry’s hard running.

The former Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama has 17 carries for 106 yards and his score.

— Dave Skretta reporting in Kansas City

___

7 p.m.

The Chiefs are one quarter away from their first home playoff win in nearly a quarter century.

They lead the Titans 21-10 after three quarters at Arrowhead Stadium, though they just missed a chance to add to the lead. They recovered a fumbled punt deep in Tennessee territory but couldn’t pick up a first down, and Harrison Butker missed a 48-yard field goal off the left upright.

Now, the Titans are driving in hopes of making it a one-score game.

Kansas City has not won a playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium since January 1994, when Joe Montana was the quarterback. The Chiefs beat the Steelers that day.

— Dave Skretta reporting in Kansas City

___

6:55 p.m.

There is a sizeable fire blazing in a wooded area across the street from Arrowhead Stadium, where the Chiefs are leading the Titans 21-10 late in the third quarter.

It’s unknown what set the blaze about a half-mile southwest of the stadium, and a short walk from the Chiefs’ practice facility. Fans inside the stadium are unaware of it, but it is clearly evident out the south-facing windows of the press box.

Several fire trucks are already on the scene, trying to put it out before the end of the game.

— Dave Skretta reporting in Kansas City

___

6:40 p.m.

Marcus Mariota threw a touchdown pass to himself in the Titans’ playoff game against Kansas City.

The Tennessee quarterback took the snap with third-and-goal at the 6, and he was under pressure as he scrambled to his left.

His pass to the end zone was deflected by Darrelle Revis right back to Mariota, who not only caught it but dived into the end zone for the score.

Mariota’s touchdown pass — and reception, for that matter — capped a 15-play, 91-yard drive that took 8:29 and ultimately trimmed the Titans’ deficit to 21-10.

— Dave Skretta reporting in Kansas City

___

6:25 p.m.

All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce is out for the rest of the Chiefs’ playoff game against the Titans after sustaining a concussion late in the first half.

The injury also puts his status in question for next week should the Chiefs advance.

Kelce was being tackled when the Titans’ Johnathan Cyprien delivered a blow with his shoulder. Their helmets also collided and Kelce appeared to be dazed when he got to his feet.

The Chiefs lead 21-3 early in the third quarter.

— Dave Skretta reporting in Kansas City

___

6:10 p.m.

The Chiefs are taking a 21-3 lead into halftime of their wild-card playoff game against Tennessee after driving 79 yards in 1:52 and scoring on a 14-yard touchdown pass to Demarcus Robinson.

Kansas City converted on third-and-6 early in the drive, when the Titans called timeout in hopes of getting the ball back, then moved effortlessly downfield the rest of the way.

Robinson crossed the goal line with 3 seconds left in the first half.

Alex Smith was 19 of 23 for 231 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the half.

His counterpart, Marcus Mariota, was 7 of 13 for 82 yards with no touchdowns and an interception.

— Dave Skretta reporting in Kansas City

___

6 p.m.

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is being evaluated for a concussion after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from the Titans’ Johnathan Cyprien late in the first half of their playoff game.

The second-team All-Pro caught a pass over the middle and was going to the ground when Cyprien tried to lay a shoulder into him. Their helmets collided and Kelce lay on the turf stunned.

When he got up, he was wobbling toward the end zone and officials called for the training staff.

Kelce was taken immediately to the locker room.

— Dave Skretta reporting in Kansas City

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5:55 p.m.

The Titans are on the scoreboard after Ryan Succop’s 49-yard field goal, and they got some help from the officiating crew just to trim their deficit to 14-3 late in the first half.

Marcus Mariota took a vicious hit from Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson on a delayed blitz, and he clearly dropped the ball before he hit the ground. But the play was blown dead by the officials, so even though Justin Houston picked up the fumble, the Titans got a chance to kick a field goal.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid spent an entire timeout arguing the call to no avail.

— Dave Skretta reporting in Kansas City

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5:20 p.m.

The Chiefs lead the Titans 14-0 at the end of the first quarter, which is precisely the same score after 15 minutes when these teams met in the regular season in 2016.

The Titans wound up rallying for a 19-17 victory.

In fact, the Chiefs carried a 17-7 lead into the fourth quarter of that game. But the Titans mounted a comeback, and former Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop hit a 52-yard field goal on the final play of the game — after a timeout by Andy Reid gave him another shot — to give Tennessee the win.

— Dave Skretta reporting in Kansas City

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5:15 p.m.

The Chiefs that won five straight to start the regular season and four straight to finish it have apparently showed up in the playoffs, racing to a 14-0 lead over the Titans.

Alex Smith connected with tight end Travis Kelce for a 13-yard touchdown pass with 2:15 left in the first quarter. It was the second straight TD drive for Kansas City, both covering 75-plus yards.

Smith is 8 of 11 for 154 yards and the score. Kareem Hunt has 25 yards rushing and the other TD.

— Dave Skretta reporting in Kansas City

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4:55 p.m.

The Chiefs are on the board first in their playoff game against Tennessee with Kareem Hunt, this season’s NFL rushing champion, plunging in from 1 yard out for a touchdown.

The teams swapped scoreless drives before Kansas City went 81 yards in just under three minutes.

Two big plays set up the short TD run: Tyreek Hill caught a pass underneath the coverage and raced 45 yards, then tight end Travis Kelce caught a 27-yard pass to the 2-yard line.

— Dave Skretta reporting in Kansas City

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4:35 p.m.

Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters hid out in the locker room during the national anthem before their playoff game against Tennessee, just as he has done all season.

Peters has never fully addressed the reason he protests during the anthem.

Fans unfurled a field-length flag during the rendition, and a B-2 bomber flew overhead, while the Titans and the rest of the Chiefs stood on their respective sidelines at attention.

Tennessee won the coin toss and deferred to the second half.

— Dave Skretta reporting in Kansas City

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4:30 p.m.

Jon Gruden may be getting an up-close look at his future rival.

Gruden is providing the color analysis for ESPN’s broadcast of the Chiefs-Titans playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Associated Press and several other outlets have reported that Gruden will be introduced as the coach of their AFC West-rival Oakland Raiders on Tuesday.

Play-by-play man Sean McDonough congratulated Gruden on his transition back to coaching, and the former Raiders and Buccaneers head coach replied: “Nothing is official yet but these Chiefs fans have been on my case since I got here.”

— Dave Skretta reporting in Kansas City

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4 p.m.

The Chiefs have only won two home playoff games in franchise history, the last in January 1994, so perhaps there was some trepidation among fans about investing in a ticket this season.

Chiefs president Mark Donovan vowed that their game against the Titans would sell out, but there were still plenty of seats available late in the week.

And with an hour left before kickoff, the usual snarl of traffic getting into the parking lots was relatively light.

Several ticket brokers listed seats Saturday for less than $30 apiece, including the fees.

— Dave Skretta reporting in Kansas City

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The NFL playoffs get started Saturday with a doubleheader starting in Kansas City, where the Chiefs will try to beat Tennessee for their first home postseason win in nearly a quarter century.

The fourth-seeded Chiefs won four straight games to cap the regular season and capture their second straight AFC West title. The Titans needed a win in their regular-season finale and some help to earn a wild-card spot as the AFC’s fifth seed.

The nightcap features the Falcons visiting the Rams at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.

The Bills visit the Jaguars and the Panthers visit the Saints on Sunday, and the outcome of those games will determine whom the winners on Saturday will face next week.

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By Associated Press – published on STL.News by St. Louis Media, LLC (ZS)

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