We're On To The Titans

[Kontradiction]

With the enormous discrepancies at the HC, OC and QB positions, combined with the general talent advantage in favor of the Patriots, this game should be such a huge Patriots blowout that the Titans reconsider the decision to bring back Mularkey. By the start of the fourth quarter, the Patriots moving on to the AFCCG should be a foregone conclusion, and Hoyer should be under center. The Titans defense simply doesn't match up to the Patriots offense, on paper, because they don't have the tools to defend against the Patriots passing attack.

But all that goes out the window if the Patriots defense can't contain the Tennessee running game, and that includes Mariota. And, as always, all bets are off if the Patriots OL doesn't show up (right, Mr. Thuney?).

I'm expecting to see some very aggravating defense from the Patriots on Sunday akin to the defense they always play against mobile quarterbacks and good running games. A ton of two-gapping containment up front and a lot of Cover-3 and other zone concepts in the secondary leading to very easy throws for Mariota in the name of not allowing runs.

 

[Off The Grid]

OT here: does anyone know the last time the Patriots got a pick six? It seems like forever ago.

The most recent one I found in the Play Index was Tavon Wilson against the Dirty Birds (gulp!) in 2013:

Why can't we get Players like that??

God, I loved that guy.

 

[Off The Grid]

If I'm not mistaken, this will be the seventh consecutive Divisional Saturday game for the Patriots. I wonder if that's coincidence or they ask the league to play that day?

We ask the league to play that day. That's one'f the many benefits of us having forged the greatest dynasty and greatest legacy in this sport, based entirely on working harder, working smarter, and working as a team. The league as a whole and Commissioner Goodel in particular, being men of exceptional Character, ooze admiration and respect for the incalculably commendable example that our Franchise sets for all, and accommodate us in every way they can.

 

[The Brandon Five]

Pats are undefeated as 14 point favorites, but the Titans now have life.

Except for the Game that Shall Not Be Named...

 

[Off The Grid]

The Titans were all but ready to get rid of Mularkey and now are essentially stuck with him no matter what because the owner already gave him a job guarantee for next year.

Pretty damned funny, the way that Mularkey worked'm over, eh?? I have never heard of a Coach leveraging the media for a job in that way, before!!

That's why I admire John Elway, even though I detest the Donkeys, and even though I laughed with glee when he burned a 1st Rounder on Paxton Lynch: He had the galactic Balls to fire John Fox, despite Fox having taken an hitherto 4-12 team to four consecutive PlayOff appearances, because Fox couldn't get that Defense going...and got Denver a Super Bowl Win, even though it was one the Refs gave'm.

I gave Lynch a 6th/7th Round Grade!! #JustSayin

 

[Kontradiction]

We ask the league to play that day. That's one'f the many benefits of us having forged the greatest dynasty and greatest legacy in this sport, based entirely on working harder, working smarter, and working as a team. The league as a whole and Commissioner Goodel in particular, being men of exceptional Character, ooze admiration and respect for the incalculably commendable example that our Franchise sets for all, and accommodate us in every way they can.

There's some dry ice in this thread for sure. Holy crap.

 

[Off The Grid]

Pats are undefeated as 14 point favorites, but the Titans now have life.

Except for the Game that Shall Not Be Named...

And what Game was that, my friend?

 

[The Brandon Five]

And what Game was that, my friend?

Don't ask me to say it...still too soon.

 

[Off The Grid]

And what Game was that, my friend?

Don't ask me to say it...still too soon.

Unless I'm gravely mistaken, we haven't lost any Games where we were laying 14 in The Modern Era ~ Bill 1 The ScumBag & Bill 2 The Mad (Genius) ~ Bro.

 

[luuked]

I wouldn't be stunned if the Patriots were no more than a four point favorite ( if that) in an AFCCG rematch.

Unless the Pats barely squeeze by the Titans the line will be around 6.5 at home. If not more..

 

[Hammer of Thor]

Unless I'm gravely mistaken, we haven't lost any Games where we were laying 14 in The Modern Era ~ Bill 1 The ScumBag & Bill 2 The Mad (Genius) ~ Bro.

He's talking about Super Bowl 42 -- the line was "only" New England by 12 in that one, so it doesn't make the cut.
Sports Betting News and Vegas Odds

 

[Pats1989]

Except for the Game that Shall Not Be Named...

Co-workers always tell me: Patriots win that game 9 times out of 10. Thing is, I'm unsure if that would be the case. Giants had an elite pass rush. We'v seen that gread defenses can shut down great offenses ( IE SB 25; SB 36; SB 37; SB 42; SB 48; SB 50). The Giants were a nightmare matchup.

 

[The Brandon Five]

He's talking about Super Bowl 42 -- the line was "only" New England by 12 in that one, so it doesn't make the cut.
Sports Betting News and Vegas Odds

Depends on where you look.

The 10 biggest gambling upsets in Super Bowl history, ranked

 

[Off The Grid]

He's talking about Super Bowl 42 -- the line was "only" New England by 12 in that one, so it doesn't make the cut.
Sports Betting News and Vegas Odds

Yeah, I figured as much, Bro. I was being subtle. Thanks.

 

[Off The Grid]

Depends on where you look.

The 10 biggest gambling upsets in Super Bowl history, ranked

Nah...I think we may've opened at 14...but I think it was 12.5 at KickOff.

 

[Off The Grid]

Co-workers always tell me: Patriots win that game 9 times out of 10. Thing is, I'm unsure if that would be the case. Giants had an elite pass rush. We'v seen that gread defenses can shut down great offenses ( IE SB 25; SB 36; SB 37; SB 42; SB 48; SB 50). The Giants were a nightmare matchup.

That's actually a good point.

 

[Off The Grid]

Not AJ's biggest fan, but Respect Where Respect Is Due and all that: I feel that this is one'f the most penetrating statements that've come out over the past 2 weeks:

I think we need to pump the brakes on the jet game coming up in every post like it’s a likelihood. We have had 11 byes and we are 10-1 in those divisional games.

I presume nothing.

Ever.

And I'd be the last one to tell you that anyone can take anything for granted.

But as far as extrapolating that that horrible 2010 debacle portends doom in any way, shape, or form...AJ boils it down beautifully: 10-1. Presume nothing.

But Confidence is not a Sin.

 

[Kontradiction]

Co-workers always tell me: Patriots win that game 9 times out of 10. Thing is, I'm unsure if that would be the case. Giants had an elite pass rush. We'v seen that gread defenses can shut down great offenses ( IE SB 25; SB 36; SB 37; SB 42; SB 48; SB 50). The Giants were a nightmare matchup.

Yeah... no. There's no way the Patriots win that game 9 times out of 10. Not with the way they were knocking Brady on his ass in both that game and in Week 17. They were the worst possible match-up the Pats could have drawn out of the NFC. Especially with Brady having a gimpy ankle.

 

[Deus Irae]

Co-workers always tell me: Patriots win that game 9 times out of 10. Thing is, I'm unsure if that would be the case. Giants had an elite pass rush. We'v seen that gread defenses can shut down great offenses ( IE SB 25; SB 36; SB 37; SB 42; SB 48; SB 50). The Giants were a nightmare matchup.

Probably more like 95 times out of 100

I think people tend to forget the numbers of things that have had to go wrong for the Patriots to lose in 2006 and 2007.

 

[mb6592]

FWIW: http://www.footballzebras.com/2018/...steratore-will-lead-divisional-playoff-crews/