The Patriots string of three-straight highway video games ends Sunday once they journey to Tennessee to tackle the Titans.
This one ought to imply additional for head coach Mike Vrabel, who served as Titans head coach for six seasons earlier than getting fired following the 2023 season.
The Titans already fired Vrabel’s alternative, Brian Callahan, this week, with Mike McCoy taking on as interim head coach.
Right here’s what we’re watching because the Patriots attempt to enhance their document to 5-2:
• Quarterback Drake Maye has now gone three video games with out turning the ball over. The Patriots are 4-0 when he avoids turnovers. His ball safety has been immense within the Patriots’ sudden rebuild. The Titans, regardless of their 1-5 begin, have really been fairly good at taking the ball away. They rank tied for fifth within the league with 9 takeaways. They’ve 4 interceptions and 5 fumble recoveries. In addition they rank third in giveaways with 10 for a unfavourable turnover differential.
• There’s no good option to put this: The Patriots’ run sport has been abhorrent. They rank lifeless final in EPA (anticipated factors added) per dashing play and in rush success price. Primarily based on knowledge, the operating backs are the larger difficulty. Primarily based on the attention check, it’s nearer between the backs and the offensive line. One thing wants to vary. The Titans’ protection is twenty fourth in rush EPA per play and eleventh in rush success price. Fantasy supervisor would like to see rookie TreVeyon Henderson obtain extra touches. He has struggled as a rookie, nevertheless, so which may not essentially be the answer.
• The Patriots have had 4 completely different main receivers in six video games. It’s been Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte twice every, and Hunter Henry and Rhamondre Stevenson as soon as a bit. Who will or not it’s this week? Primarily based on the info, Diggs. The Titans rank thirty second in go DVOA vs. a staff’s No. 1 huge receiver. They’re sixteenth in opposition to a WR2, twelfth in opposition to a WR3, fourth in opposition to tight ends and nineteenth in opposition to operating backs.
• Look ahead to the deep ball. Boutte has been Maye’s prime downfield goal with a 16.1-yard common depth of goal. The Titans’ protection ranks thirty first in passing DVOA in opposition to the deep ball.
• Pre-deadline scouting? The Patriots may very well be patrons on the NFL commerce deadline, and there are nonetheless loads of gamers on the roster who had been coached by Vrabel, together with operating again Tyjae Spears, tight finish Chigoziem Okonkwo and out of doors linebacker Arden Key. The largest prize could be defensive sort out Jeffery Simmons, however it’s unclear what it will take to accumulate him or if he’s even obtainable.
• It’s a get-right sport for the Patriots’ go rush. The Titans’ offensive line ranks twenty ninth in pass-blocking effectivity this season. Titans quarterback Cam Ward might have his fingers full with defensive tackles Milton Williams and Christian Barmore and out of doors linebackers Harold Landry III and Okay’Lavon Chaisson.
• Ward ranks second to final in PFF’s passing grade amongst certified quarterbacks this season, however he has gotten barely unfortunate. He ranks seventh with 4 interceptions, however he has simply 5 turnover-worthy performs, which is tied for twenty sixth within the NFL. He’s finishing simply 55% of his passes, and he’s not making performs along with his legs. It shouldn’t be a really troublesome matchup for the Patriots’ secondary.
• The Patriots’ offensive line has been a pleasing shock thus far this season, but when there’s a weak spot, it’s rookie left guard Jared Wilson. It is sensible to proceed to let him develop, but when he continues to wrestle, the Patriots do have an skilled backup in Ben Brown, who performed properly in his lone begin this season.
• The Patriots have rotated linebackers subsequent to Robert Spillane, and it labored properly for Christian Elliss and Jack Gibbens in Week 6. Each gamers turned in excessive PFF grades. In the event that they proceed their robust play, then which may imply persevering with to fend off Jahlani Tavai from slicing too deeply into their play counts. This can be a return to Tennessee for Spillane, Gibbens, Landry, backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs and tight finish Austin Hooper. Kicker Joey Slye is among the many former Patriots on the Titans’ roster.
• The Patriots are favored by seven factors, and the purpose whole over/below is 42. This feels prefer it has blowout potential for the Patriots. Patriots 31-13.
