NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
Here's a look at six things to watch:
**
Will Mariota bounce back?**
Mariota had his string of eight straight games with at least two touchdown passes snapped last Sunday in a 6-for-20 performance against the Broncos. He'd posted a passer rating of 100-plus in six of eight games before that 45.4 outing. Mariota usually bounces back with a vengeance after an off game. Will the trend continue? The Titans sure hope so.
Run the ball
The Titans are ranked third in the NFL in rushing offense, led by DeMarco Murray, the NFL's No.2 ranked rusher with 1,135 yards. The Chiefs are ranked 27th in the league in run defense. The Titans would love to run it on a cold day. They'll test the middle of a Kansas City defense that will be without linebacker Derrick Johnson, who suffered an Achilles injury against Oakland last week.
Turnover battle
The Titans enter this week's game with a streak of four consecutive games without committing a turnover. The last time they lost a fumble or threw an interception was in San Diego on November 6. The franchise has never gone five straight games without committing a turnover. It's a big key Sunday against a Kansas City team with a plus-11 takeaway/giveaway.
**
Contain Kelce**
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has been a beast, especially of late. He's one of just three tight ends in NFL history with 100-plus receiving yards in four straight NFL games, and he has a whopping 70 catches for 916 yards on the season. Kelce is a big-play specialist, with 20 plays of 25 yards or more since 2014. The Titans need to slow him down, and several defenders will be in charge of trying to do it.
Keep Hill from getting away
There's also danger in the form of Chiefs receiver/return man Tyreek Hill, who is the third rookie in NFL history and the first since Gale Sayers in 1965 to have a rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown, kickoff return touchdown and punt return touchdown in a single season. Hill is a speedster, and the Titans need to be wary of his playmaking abilities both on defense and on special teams.
Handle the cold
OK, it can't be ignored. Sunday's game is shaping up as the second-coldest game in the "Titans era," behind only the playoff game against New England in 2004. So how will the Titans handle it? The team practiced in cold temperatures in Nashville all week, and that should help. Mariota learned he didn't like the feel of a glove on his throwing hand. But the real test will come during the game, when the temperature might not make it out of the single digits.
TitansOnline.com looks back at the team's all-time series against the Kansas City Chiefs. (AP Photos)























































































































































































Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson celebrates with fans after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Tennessee Titans strong safety Johnathan Cyprien (37) is congratulated by teammates Tennessee Titans linebacker Jayon Brown (55) and Tennessee Titans cornerback Logan Ryan (26) after breaking up a pass late in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) visits with fans after beating the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL wild-card playoff game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) visits with fans after beating the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL wild-card playoff game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Eric Decker (87) makes a 22-yard touchdown catch in front of Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Eric Murray (21) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) leaps for a touchdown in front of Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Will Redmond (24) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Mariota’s throw to the end zone was batted right back at him by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Darrelle Revis, and Mariota hauled it in and dove for the goal line. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs past Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Ron Parker (38) for a 35-yard touchdown during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry celebrates with fans after the team's NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, in Kansas City, Mo. The Titans won 22-21. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Tennessee Titans center Ben Jones (60) celebrates following an NFL wild-card playoff football game against Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)