The Tennessee Titans amassed a commanding lead and didn't look back on Sunday as they dealt the Kansas City Chiefs their fourth loss of the season.
Here are some quick notes from the loss.
1. The Titans made some plays early and the Chiefs couldn't recover.
Tennessee scored on each of its first five possessions, including touchdowns on three of its first four drives. It put Kansas City in a significant hole early in the game, and while the Titans didn't score in the second half, the deficit proved to be too much.
Titans' quarterback Ryan Tannehill completed 21-of-27 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown in the game, helping Tennessee convert 8-of-12 third down opportunities.
2. Nick Bolton's performance was a bright spot.
In terms of positives from the game, Bolton's performance certainly qualifies. He racked up a team-leading 15 tackles (9 solo) and four tackles-for-loss, becoming the only rookie since at least 1999 to record 15+ tackles and 4+ tackles-for-loss in a single contest. Additionally, Bolton is only the third player – regardless of rookie status – to record such a performance in that span, joining Brian Simmons and Jeremiah Trotter.
Bolton is currently tied for the league-lead with nine tackles-for-loss on the season, and his 55 overall tackles lead all rookies by a wide margin.
3. Willie Gay Jr recorded the first interception of his career.
Gay has flashed his immense potential in limited opportunities this season following his stint on Injured Reserve to begin the year, and we saw that again on Sunday. Late in the game, Gay leapt in the air and hauled in the first interception of his young career, demonstrating the athletic traits that make him an ideal fit for the linebacker position in the modern NFL.
Both Bolton and Gay provided some bright spots in an otherwise tough game, and their continued development will be important as the Chiefs look to turn things around.
4. Tennessee's defense deserves credit for their performance.
The Chiefs entered Sunday's matchup with the No. 5 scoring offense in the NFL and the third-most overall touchdowns in the league, so the Titans deserve considerable credit for their defensive performance.
One specific area of note was on third down, where the Chiefs – who entered the game with a league-best 60.3 percent conversion rate – went just 4-of-11. Turnovers also continue to be an issue for the Chiefs, as they committed three giveaways in the contest.
5. It wasn't the Chiefs' day offensively, but Tyreek Hill recorded a career milestone.
Kansas City's offense struggled on Sunday, but Hill achieved something that should be noted. The speedy receiver has now tallied 50+ receptions, 500+ receiving yards and 5+ touchdowns in each of his first six seasons as a professional, which is something that only four other players have accomplished to begin their careers. Hill joined Gary Clark, Larry Fitzgerald, Marvin Harrison and Randy Moss as the only players to accomplish the feat.
Those kinds of things are lost in performances like Sunday, but it's an example of why this team still has plenty going for it moving forward. The Chiefs still feature some of the most accomplished players in recent memory, and the rest of the locker room will look to players like Hill for leadership as Kansas City aims to get back on track.
