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

Titans RBs vs NE Front Seven – Razor’s Edge New England
The Titans running game is led by Antonio Andrews who gets the lion’s share of reps and yards. The 5’10, 225 pound running back in his second year from Western Kentucky is their workhorse although putting up only so-so numbers with 127 carries for 424 yards, (3.7 avg) with three touchdowns.

They lost Dexter McCluster to IR this week so they’ll turn more to last year’s top running back drafted Bishop Sankey who can run as well as catch out of the backfield. Marcus Mariota is also a threat to run from the quarterback position, something the Patriots will have to be aware of this week.

Even without Dont’a Hightower, the Patriots run defense is one of the better ones in the NFL. The big bodies on the defensive line Alan Branch, Malcom Brown and Akiem Hicks have been disruptive inside and stout at the point of attack. Players on the edge, Rob Ninkovich, Jabaal Sheard and Chandler Jones will have to be aware of Mariota taking off and contain him in the pocket. Jamie Collins will be looked to as well as Jerod Mayo who’s been looking like his old self again to stuff the run inside.

Titans WRs vs NE Secondary- Razor’s Edge New England
Marcus Mariota has put up pretty impressive numbers in his rookie season. He’s completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 2786 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for a 91.9 passer rating. He has had a good rookie season for the Titans and his future looks bright.

Mariota’s favorite target has been TE Delanie Walker who leads all NFL tight ends with 74 catches. Rookie wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham is coming on a bit under Mike Mularkey and the big, 6’5, 237 pound from Missouri is a big target who doubles as the team’s deep threat. He’s averaging 17.3 yards per reception. But the team really needs Kendall Wright back this week. He’s their possession receiver; a move the chains guy who is very reliable.

The Patriots pass defense the past two weeks has been very stingy, after allowing only 120 yards against the Eagles, they followed that up with an impressive game against the Texans allowing only 102 net passing yards while notching six sacks. They’ll be missing their best deep cover player Devin McCourty who suffered a high ankle sprain against the Texans but should be ready come playoff time.

Look for the Patriots to be aggressive again, containment of Mariota will be key here but Titans quarterbacks have been sacked 44 times this season and they’ll be looking to jam receivers at the line to disrupt their timing. One key factor will be the play of slot corner Leonard Johnson. After being on the team less than a week, he started and had a couple of impressive passes defensed. He’ll be looked again to provide solid coverage on the hot routes underneath.

Special Teams- Razor’s Edge New England
The Patriots special teams will look to have a much better game at home than the last time the team played in Foxboro. The Pats have two outstanding kickers in Stephen Gostkowski and Ryan Allen. Allen had a quietly very impressive night in Houston, pinning the Texans inside the ten-yard line just prior to the half which set up the Patriots second touchdown. Gostkowski remains the gold standard for NFL kickers and is having an outstanding season.

The Titans counter with kicker Ryan Succop and punter Brett Kern. Succop has been reliable inside of 50 yards and Kerns boasts a nice 46.7-yard average. But the team will miss its leading returner in both kickoffs and punts in McCluster who is gone for the year. One area to watch this week is the punt coverage for the Titans. They allowing an average of 14.7 yards per punt return and either Danny Amendola or Martin could be in line for a big return which can flip field position.

Next up, who wins and why…

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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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