On Sunday, the New England Patriots will try to accomplish something they were unable to do even with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick still running the show: win three straight games on the road. After already beating the Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints, the Tennessee Titans will host them for their third away game in a row.
Mike Vrabel and company going a perfect 3-0 in those game to improve to 5-2 on the year is not out of the question. The Patriots, after all, look like one of the hottest teams
in the NFL right now and will also go up against a 1-5 team that fired its head coach just earlier this week.
On top of all that, we can see that New England has a clear advantage in most key areas.
Passing game
Patriots pass offense vs. Titans pass defense: Led by standout defensive tackle Jefferey Simmons, whose 4.5 sacks are ranked eighth in the NFL, the Titans pass defense did have some positive moments this season. All in all, however, the unit has been among the least successful in the league so far stopping opposing passing games: quarterbacks are completing almost 71% of their passes (28th) while averaging 0.220 expected points per dropback (31st). Now facing one of the most efficient quarterbacks in football so far this year — yes, you heard us — it will have its hands full. There will be opportunities for Drake Maye and company to move the ball through the air. | Edge: Patriots
Patriots pass defense vs. Titans pass offense: The Patriots pass defense has not quite lived up to its promise so far, but it should still be able to put the clamps on Cam Ward and the Titans. Ward, after all, has looked every bit the rookie that he is: there have been encouraging moments mixed with head-scratching play, resulting in him turning the ball over eight times and getting sacked on a league-high 25 snaps. He very well may develop into a quality quarterback further down the line, but at this point in his career he is a player who New England should be able to put under pressure both literally and figuratively. | Edge: Patriots
Running game
Patriots rushing offense vs. Titans run defense: Tennessee’s run defense has not been particularly impressive so far this season, ranking 21st in yards per attempt (4.5) and 24th in EPA per run (-0.039). And yet, it should have the edge over New England entering Sunday. The Patriots, after all, just cannot seem to figure out how to properly move the ball on the ground. Whether it’s blocking miscues or hesitation from the running backs, the run game synergy has been lacking through six games. It might still develop the more time the group keeps spending together, but until the results show it we will keep treating it as the 32nd-ranked rushing attack it is. | Edge: Titans
Patriots run defense vs. Titans rushing offense: Tony Pollard is coming off four straight seasons of more than 1,000 scrimmage yards, and remains a player capable of doing some damage as a multi-purpose running back. That said, he and the Tennessee running game finding game-changing success versus New England still seems unlikely. Sure, the Patriots have shown some inconsistency setting a firm edge, but they still have given up only 10 explosive runs all year and none longer than 22 yards. The statuses of outside linebackers Harold Landry and Anfernee Jennings will be worth watching — both missed practice on Wednesday — but the visitors still look better equipped for this particular battle. | Edge: Patriots
Special teams
New England’s decision to move on from Joey Slye and bring in Andy Borregales in the draft looks like a good one so far. Whereas the Titans’ new kicker has missed five kicks already and made just 77.3% of his combined attempts, the Patriots’ rookie sits at three and 88%, respectively. In addition to their kicker’s performance, the Patriots also have looked potent in the return game and in kick coverage. This matchup projects to be closer than others in this game, but even fighting Tennessee to a draw would still be a win for Jeremy Springer’s unit considering the overall head-to-head comparison between the two clubs. | Edge: Patriots
Coaching
One of the two teams just fired its head coach. Need we say more? Well, actually, let’s do. Brian Callahan getting the axe (and his father, offensive line coach Bill Callahan, leaving as well) might end up a net positive for Tennessee this week because it introduces an element of uncertainty. Nonetheless, it is hard to envision that this alone will give the team now led by interim Mike McCoy an edge over Mike Vrabel and his staff. | Edge: Patriots
Verdict
The Patriots are listed as a touchdown favorite heading into Week 7, and it is not hard to see why. Even though there are some areas in which the Titans have performed adequately this season, and New England being not up to par in some others, overall the visitors look like the better team. That starts at quarterback and extends all the way down the roster and to the coaching staff. A loss on Sunday would therefore be a disappointment.
