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KANSAS CITY —** The Titans face the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium.

Here's a look at six things to watch:

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Mariota magic?**

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota seemingly regained some of his swagger in the season-finale. He stepped up big down the stretch, and his stiff-arm and staredown of a Jaguars defender had folks talking all week. The best sign coming out of that game, however, was Mariota.s mobility. He ran well, and that's a game-changer. Mariota is set to play in his first ever postseason game. Can he create some magic for the Titans?

Derrick Henry's mood

The Titans running back was especially critical of himself after rushing for 51 yards on 28 carries against the Jaguars. The low rushing total – and 1.8-yard average – isn't what bothered Henry most. The big back didn't like how he ran the ball against the Jaguars. He said it felt like he ran "soft," and he promised to run with more of an attitude vs. the Chiefs. The Chiefs, ranked 25th in run defense, should see a fired up Henry.

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Postseason pressure**

The Titans have 18 players with playoff experience, but 35 more who've never played in a postseason contest. The intensity will be heightened, along with the pressure. It's impossible to know how guys on each side will manage it all. But the team that handles it best – from limiting mistakes and mental errors to making big plays – will give themselves the best chance of advancing.

Run defense

The Titans finished the regular season ranked No.4 in the NFL in run defense, allowing just 88.8 yards per game. The Chiefs have the NFL's leading rusher in running back Kareem Hunt, who finished with 1,327 yards rushing on 272 carries with eight touchdowns. The Titans will need to be a disciplined, swarming bunch in this one. Hunt is tough to tackle, and it usually takes multiple guys to get him down.

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Fluster Alex Smith**

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith doesn't make a lot of mistakes. He finished the year as the NFL's top-rated passer with a 104.7 rating, and he threw just five interceptions all year. The Titans, after racking up 43 sacks during the season, need to make him uncomfortable on Saturday. But what scares you about Smith is his ability to tuck the ball and run with it. Smith had 355 rushing yards on the year, so he's not afraid to take off and go.

The tight ends

The tight ends in this contest are the most dangerous weapons for each team in the passing game. Titans tight end Delanie Walker finished the year with 74 catches for 807 yards, while Kansas City's Travis Kelce hauled in 83 passes for 1,038 yards and eight scores. Walker and Kelce were teammates at the Pro Bowl last year in Orlando. Both guys are game-changers, and the defense that does a better job limiting big plays here will have a big edge.