On The Beat: 5 questions with Tennessee writer Paul Kuharsky

Welcome back to “5 Questions,” where we chat with a writer who covers the other team who knows their stuff to get a better feel for the Patriots’ opponent. For the Titans, we check in with the esteemed Paul Kuharsky, who has covered Tennessee for several years. He now writes about them for his site, PaulKuharsky.com and also is a co-host from 12-3 weekdays on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville. Check him out on Twitter here.



1. Does Marcus Mariota have what it takes to come into Gillette and pull off the upset?

He’s capable to putting the Titans on his back and making some amazing plays. In the last two weeks he’s had a gigantic stiff arm of Jacksonville’s Barry Church on a crucial third-down run, a pass that was batted back to him that he caught and dived to the pylon with and a block on a key Derrick Henry run. What he doesn’t have is a great group of receivers. Tight end Delanie Walker is really good, but in two must-win games the receiver contribution beyond Eric Decker’s touchdown catch in Kansas City has been poor. Overall in those two games: 25 targets, 12 catches, 100 yards. Mariota is going to need a lot more help than that.

2. Is there someone on the Tennessee roster who isn’t a household name who we could be talking about by the time the ballgame is over?

In recent weeks, the secondary has calmed down a little, as young cornerback Tye Smith became part of the nickel package, moving ahead of veteran Brice McCain. It’s been an upgrade. Smith has some length and is playing with a good bit of confidence. He’d be my pick as a wildcard in this game who could make a play.

3. What is the biggest weakness on the Tennessee offense you expect the Patriots to try and exploit?

The interior offensive line was great last week, but has not been great this season. The Titans want to assert themselves and be a the more physical team. Can guards Quinton Spain and Josh Kline (the former Patriot) and center Ben Jones pick up where they left off in Kansas City? I told you about the receivers above. I would think the Pats would try to eliminate Walker, who’s used to being doubled and has even been tripled at times, as well as Henry, and take their chances against anyone else.

4. What’s the biggest weakness on the Tennessee defense you expect the Patriots to try and exploit?

They do pretty well at minimizing big plays, but the pass defense is still susceptible. Travis Kelce was eating the Titans up last week until he got smashed by Johnathan Cyprien and had to leave the game with a concussion. The Titans have been better against the tight end this year that last, but an elite guy like Gronkowski can, of course, be a major issue. He’d bee too tall an order for rookie inside linebacker Jayon Brown in a prominent role. Kevin Byard could be the headliner in the effort to slow Gronk. Dick LeBeau said the tight end is going to make some plays, the Titans just have to work to not allow him take over the game. The Titans also really got torn up by the Rams with screens to Todd Gurley. I expect the Patriots to try that route.

5. The Titans win Saturday if …

...I don’t have a very good feeling about the visitors, but I didn’t last week and they overcame an 18-point deficit to beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Here is where I disappoint you: At ESPN, I fought against picking games for years and ultimately was on the losing side. Pick a game as a reporter? You wind up rooting for your prediction so you don’t look stupid. I look stupid often enough without that. My radio bosses and my boss at PaulKuharsky.com (me) doesn’t require them.