text: The 2019 season was the 100th season of the NFL, while the 60th for the Titans. Mike Vrabel returned for his second season and Mariota for his fifth. The Titans opened up the season with a 43-13 blowout against the Cleveland Browns, with Mariota passing for three touchdowns and the defense logging three interceptions. During halftime of the 19-17 Week 2 loss against the Indianapolis Colts, the Titans retired the jersey numbers of running back Eddie George and quarterback Steve McNair. After starting the year 2–4, Mariota was benched during Week 6 in favor of backup Ryan Tannehill, who they traded for in the offseason. Tannehill would go on to win the next 7 out of 10 games, with the Titans finishing 9–7. They would make the playoffs following a 35-14 Week 17 victory over the Texans. Derrick Henry had a career year, leading the NFL in rushing yards with 1,540 and tying for the most rushing touchdowns with 16. In the playoffs, the Titans upset the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium winning 20–13 in the Wildcard Round, with Henry rushing for 182 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries. The Titans then beat the heavily favored top-seeded Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium 28–12 in the divisional round, with Henry running for 195 yards on 30 carries and throwing a touchdown. The Titans reached their first AFC Championship since 2002, and the first sixth-seed to do so since the 2010 Green Bay Packers. The Titans would lose, however, to the Kansas City Chiefs, 35–24, at Arrowhead Stadium.