Keep in mind me?
Mike Vrabel will make his extremely anticipated return to Tennessee this weekend, main one of many hottest groups in soccer towards a franchise that should already remorse firing him lower than two years in the past.
This week, the Titans fired Vrabel’s successor, Brian Callahan, who went 4-19 over his transient tenure. Tennessee (1-4) has fallen flat on its face this 12 months, even by rebuilding requirements, save for a miraculous fourth-quarter comeback at Arizona two weeks in the past, which they adopted up with a 20-10 loss at Las Vegas.
As for the Patriots (4-2), they now lead the AFC East and are heavy favorites going into Nashville. Drake Maye is enjoying at a Professional Bowl stage, whereas Vrabel’s protection is producing well timed turnovers to masks some points in move protection. And although Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward has struggled, interim head coach Mike McCoy, a former offensive coordinator, might need a couple of tips performs up his sleeve to stave off a possible blowout.
“We’ll should be ready for every little thing,” Vrabel mentioned.
Right here’s what to look at for in Nashville:
When the Patriots run
There’s nowhere to go however up, proper?
The Patriots rank useless final in speeding by EPA, success charge and DVOA. Issues have sprouted all over the place.
Their offensive line isn’t sustaining blocks lengthy sufficient on the level of assault on some runs, then failing to safe second-level blocks on others. TreVeyon Henderson (3.6 yards per carry) had proven improved persistence till final weekend, then left yards on the sphere by not permitting his blocks to develop. In New Orleans, Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson every broke one deal with apiece, and Stevenson has hardly ever created yards on his personal this season.
To leap-start their speeding assault, the Patriots might contain Drake Maye on possibility runs from shotgun formations. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels solely known as designed runs on two of 26 shotgun snaps final weekend. The mere risk Maye poses — after gaining 95 speeding yards in final 12 months’s assembly — might have the ability to scare off crashing edge defenders.
One silver lining: the Titans’ run protection ranks twenty seventh by DVOA.
When the Patriots move
At 75%, no quarterback has been extra correct on deep passes this season than Maye.
That’s proper. Maye, who ranks second within the NFL in completion share at 73.4%, has been extra correct downfield than nearer to the road of scrimmage. And he ought to have loads of possibilities to go lengthy in Tennessee.
The Titans’ move protection ranks second-worst within the league towards deep passes by DVOA. Opponents have picked on gamers all throughout their again seven, which ought to open alternatives for a number of Patriots. To date, nobody has rewarded Maye on deep throws greater than Kayshon Boutte, who’s coming off a two-touchdown efficiency in New Orleans.
Count on the Pats to characteristic him and Stefon Diggs any time they’re in isolation towards a zone-heavy protection.
“We’re attempting to get a glance and attempting to get one-on-one. We are saying one-on-one is open on this league, so give every man their probability one-on-one downfield.” Maye mentioned of deep passes. “We had some possibilities of that final week and the week earlier than. So, (we’re) simply attempting to maintain making performs.”
The one caveat: blocking Titans defensive deal with Jeffery Simmons. The three-time Professional Bowler has 4.5 sacks, half of Tennessee’s whole this season. This week, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels known as him among the best gamers within the league.
When the Titans run
A 12 months in the past, Titans operating again Tony Pollard rushed for a season-high 128 yards towards the Patriots in an additional time win. Even when Tennessee finds a couple of cracks within the Pats’ protection Sunday, they need to be secure from one other dominant efficiency.
Pollard hasn’t cracked 100 yards this season, because the Titans have struggled to regulate the road of scrimmage in most video games. He’s averaged simply 3.9 yards per carry, a tick above the frenzy common the Patriots have allowed as one of many NFL’s higher run defenses. Ex-Titan edge defender Harold Landry has been instrumental in stopping the run, as have defensive tackles Christian Barmore, Milton Williams and Khyris Tonga.
If the Patriots can management Tennessee’s floor recreation, that may put the sport on Ward, which is precisely what they need. The most effective bellwether for the Pats’ run protection should be tackling. Final week, the Pats missed simply two tackles whereas holding New Orleans to three.2 yards per carry and a 38% success charge.
When the Titans move
Nobody within the NFL has taken extra sacks this season than Ward.
The No. 1 total decide has been dropped 25 instances in simply six video games, usually attempting to increase performs previous their expiration date whereas carrying a foul group that’s usually trailing. When Ward has thrown the ball, he’s accomplished 55% of his passes for 1,101 yards, three touchdowns and 4 interceptions. He’s coming off among the best statistical video games of his younger profession, going 26-of-38 for 222 yards and a decide versus the Raiders.
“I assumed that there was some actually good accuracy, some ball placement that enables for good run after catch,” Vrabel mentioned this week. “I feel there’s a willingness to face in there. He’s received contact braveness. I don’t see him staring on the rush loads. (He) has the flexibility to scramble when want be and scramble for first downs; doesn’t seem like he’s very rattled. I feel that his composure is superb and his demeanor.”
Fortunate for Ward, the Patriots’ move protection has been terrible inviting this 12 months by most metrics. If the Pats go for man protection, they need to discover benefits towards rookie Elic Ayomanor, who ranks second on the group in catches. The Titans haven’t any different threatening receivers, with Calvin Ridley dominated out.
The opposite title to know is tight finish Chigoziem Okonkwo, Ward’s high goal with 23 catches for 218 yards. A bit undersized, Okonkwo ought to have a number of matchups towards linebackers Robert Spillane and Christian Ellis, plus rookie security Craig Woodson.
Recreation decide
Patriots 34, Titans 13
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