Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tennessee Titans: Preview, Key Matchup and Prediction

It's at that time of the NFL regular season where every game becomes extremely important for teams who are hoping to get into the playoffs in January.

This weekend's matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tennessee Titans is cut from the same mold, as both teams need a win in order to have a shot at this year's playoffs.

The Titans come in at 6-8 and each of their final two games are must-win games, as they are two games behind the first place leaders in their division, Indianapolis and Jacksonville.

The Chiefs come into their Week 17 bout with Titans still clinging to a one-game lead over San Diego, with Oakland not far behind at just two games out.

KC has a chance to secure a division title this week, but they need a win over the Titans and a loss from the Chargers.

Tennessee brings in the 13th-best offense in the league and it is spear-headed by talented running back Chris Johnson.

Johnson has rushed for over 1,200 yards this season and scored 11 rushing touchdowns after he went for 2,000 yards on the ground just one season ago.

The 37-year-old journeyman QB, Kerry Collins, will get the start for the Titans and has been efficient in limited time so far this season, throwing for 10 touchdowns and posting a QB rating of 81.5.

Collins' two main receiving targets including veteran Nate Washington and the impressive second-year wideout Kenny Britt.

They will be facing a Chiefs defense that is ranked 11th in the league for scoring by only giving up 20.1 points per game.

KC's defense also has an improving pass rush as well as a rapidly improving, but young secondary.

If the Chiefs can shut down Chris Johnson and the Titans running game, I see Kerry Collins struggling to pass the ball against a talented, hungry KC secondary unit.

For the Chiefs offense, they have a very talented back of their own in Jamaal Charles, as he has lead the league in yards per carry for virtually the entire season with a 6.4 average.

Kansas City also likes to give the ball to the veteran Thomas Jones as well, often handing him the ball in red-zone and goal-line situations.

Chiefs QB Matt Cassel has been statistically one of the best in the league at his position this season, as he has the fifth best QB rating in the league at 96.2 and has thrown for 24 touchdowns to just five interceptions as well.

Cassel's favorite target is the former LSU product Dwayne Bowe and the two have been very successful this season, as the pair have hooked up 61 times for 14 touchdowns in '10.

The Titans, like the Chiefs, give up only 20.1 points per game on defense, but they are near the bottom in passing yards allowed and have struggled at times against the run.

Tennessee's defense will face their toughest opposing rushing attack this season with the Chiefs running game, which is currently ranked No. 1 in the NFL, averaging around 168 yards per game for the year.

If the Chiefs can get their running game going, it could be a long day for the Titans, but the KC running game has been on and off over the last few games and Tennessee will be hoping that they can throw them off their game again this Sunday.

Key Matchup: Titans RB Chris Johnson vs. Chiefs Front Seven

Winning this battle will be the key to winning the game for both teams.

If Chris Johnson goes off on the Chiefs D, it will open up more of the passing game for Kerry Collins and the Titans passing attack.

If the Chiefs are able to contain Johnson, it will make life very difficult for the Titans offense, as they will have to rely more on Collins' ability to make plays, which could be hindered more with an emerging Chiefs pass rush and a loud Arrowhead Stadium for him to deal with.

Prediction: Chiefs 28, Titans 10

I see the Chiefs rolling to an easy victory in this game, as they are very tough to beat at home, where they are undefeated this season.

I think that the Chiefs will limit Chris Johnson in a similar way that they were able to slow down Rams RB Steven Jackson last week.

The Titans offense will struggle for much of the game, with the Chiefs rushing offense getting it done once again this week.