Patriots - Titans Key Matchups, Who Has the Razor's Edge?

Patriots RBs vs Titans Front Seven – Razor’s Edge Tennessee
The Patriots running game suffered another big loss with the injury and subsequent placement on IR of LaGarrette Blount. Now the team only has two healthy RBs Brandon Bolden and James White. The Pats signed former Broncos RB Montee Ball to the practice squad and are rumored to have former Ram/Falcon Steven Jackson in for a visit. If signed, he’d be an intriguing addition.

The Titans are much improved this season against the run. New DC Dick LeBeau has instilled his 3-4 attacking defense this year and ILB Avery Williamson is enjoying a solid season. Overall the Titans’ defense has improved to being nearly a top-10 unit. Although they’ll great miss OLB Derrick Morgan who needs shoulder surgery.

Look for the Patriots to use both Bolden and White this week in the running game but with the inconsistencies of the offensive line as well as injuries, they won’t be running the ball much this week. But if Bolden can get into any kind of rhythm he should get the majority of the reps as they’ll look to run more inside.

Patriots WRs vs Titans Secondary – Razor’s Edge New England
The Patriots passing game has been beset by injuries but last week they got a shot in the arm with the return of tight end Rob Gronkowski. His presence could be felt immediately as not only QB Tom Brady but the rest of the unit elevated their game. He and Danny Amendola will be Brady’s go-to guys but he’ll also have Brandon LaFell, Keshawn Martin and James White out of the backfield.

The Titans defense has been in the middle of the pack yardage wise in the passing game and has been good at getting after the QB with 35 sacks led by Orakpo with seven. LeBeau has perfected the zone blitz from his time in Pittsburgh and they bring pressure with their LBs both inside and out. While the Titans have a pair of good corners in Perrish Cox and Coty Sensabaugh they miss their best corner in Jason McCourty. The loss of Derrick Morgan to IR is a particularly tough one.

Look for Brady to work the middle of the field here, especially with Gronkowski and Amendola. That is the area to watch and the Titans most vulnerable. Although their defense has been disruptive against the pass, their giving up 8.1 yards per pass play which is too much. The X-Factor this week in the passing game is White; he’s been coming into his own in recent weeks in replacing Dion Lewis and against a team that likes to blitz, look for Josh McDaniels to move him out in motion out wide and force the Titans to cover him with one of their linebackers.

Next up the Tennessee offense:

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About Steve Balestrieri

A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

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