After a lot of thought and more film watching, I don't have a whole lot to add on a macro level about the Music City Debacle than what I posted Tuesday: it was the Patriots and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Game.
What we saw was a beat-up, wheezing, old and thin team in desperate need of a bye week still working through things (in mid-November, mind you) in all three phases, laying another egg on the road because, to this point, they haven't really shown all that much mental toughness.
It was a really bad day at the office for just about everyone involved. Almost all the wounds were self-inflicted. Things need to get cleaned up real quick, or else this season is going to end in a whimper like similarly disappointing seasons in 2002, '05 and '09.
But let's delve into the positional ratings against the Titans:
OFFENSE
Quarterback (1.5 out of 5)
No, not a good day for Tom Brady at all. His 51.2 completion percentage was his lowest in a meaningful game since the season-opening loss to the Chiefs last year. He was playing to pressure that was there, wasn't there and creating his own (a team-high three QBPs allowed, including one of three sacks). He had five plus-throws (one was dropped by Josh Gordon), and 10 minus plays. ... You knew it was going to be a strange day from the first play when Brady knew the Titans were in zone and still dropped it off quickly to James White for minus-3 yards. That ball doesn't belong there. All game long Brady wasn't seeing the field like he normally does — this has been going on all season — and didn't spy open receivers. And he's not giving plays time to develop either. ... There is nothing wrong with Brady's arm. His issues are with his footwork, which is either some sloppiness creeping in or he's compensating for some kind of injury and he doesn't want to get hit. When Brady gets on the balls of his feet and steps toward his intended target, he still very much has his fastball. Why isn't he doing that consistently? That's the million-dollar question.
Running backs (1 out of 5)
James Develin had the touchdown, Sony Michel broke one tackle and ... that was it. White allowed two sacks in blitz pickup — the one on the final play of the first half was a nice design, but something White should pick up — and Michel had four poor runs, including three that resulted in 2.5 stuffed runs. We'll give him the benefit of the doubt with the injury layoff, but Michel needs to get back to the improvement he was showing in each game before the injury. ... Right now, Cordarrelle Patterson is the best runner the Patriots have, but he can only run lead with the fullback. That's a problem because the Patriots like a diversified run game that features power and outside zone.
Receivers (2.5 out of 5)
Have to love Julian Edelman. He's obviously dealing with a lingering foot issue but he keeps going like the energizer bunny. Best player on the field for the Patriots. Brady could have gone to him another 12 times if he wanted to. ... Gordon had the 44-yard catch over the middle on (another) improvised pattern by the nascent receiver and another good catch in traffic. But he had two more drops and didn't run the right pattern on a one-man shot play to the end zone. That's an issue. Not sure if the hamstring is still a problem, but Gordon is not running away from anyone or getting off press coverage — his size, length and leaping abilities are the only things that give him room to operate. ...
I've long loved Dwayne Allen and have been patiently waiting for that player he showed as a rookie, but I'm about done. Without Rob Gronkowski, the team needed him to be a player and he just hasn't been. His blocking has been terrible of late. Hopefully, it's because of his knee issue. ... Jacob Hollister made a nice catch on a ball not intended to him, but had a drop and a half-stuffed run — and got hurt again. So much potential. ... Phillip Dorsett needs to play more. Period. ... Chris Hogan must have done something to tick Brady off, because he continues to be open and gets no love from the quarterback. Just a waste of 54 snaps for a good player.
Offensive line (2.5 out of 5)
[table id=186 /]
The performance of this group was a lot better than people want to give them credit for. Most of the pressure allowed came from Brady and White. ... Trent Brown was better in this game but he should still be better. ... In order of effectiveness: Joe Thuney, Ted Karras, David Andrews, Marcus Cannon, Brown/La'Adrian Waddle.
DEFENSE
[table id=187 /]
Defensive line (2.5 out of 5)
Have seen much better performances out of this group — even Trey Flowers (five impactful plays) had a few edge issues. Deatrich Wise seems to be doing his annual late-season slide, even as his playing time gets ramped up. He and Keionta Davis were invisible. ... Lawrence Guy and Malcom Brown were good, and so was Danny Shelton, if you can believe it. But he still wasn't noticeable. What a disappointment he's been in a contract year.
Linebackers (2.5 out of 5)
Solid outing by this group, but no one made any plays. ... Kyle Van Noy had a great stick on the goal line, but that was about it. The defense was better when he was on the end of the line opposite Flowers. But for some reason, these coaches want Davis to play. I don't get it. ... Dont'a Hightower was better, but he's just a plugger with an occasional pressure. ... Elandon Roberts ended a string of good plays when he ran right by Derrick Henry on his 1-yard TD run. The play was totally set up for Roberts and he ran by it with little awareness. Happens to him from time to time.
Secondary (2 out of 5)
Stephon Gilmore was the Tom Brady of the defense — just a terrible game for him as he looked unfocused and undisciplined for much of it, like he was paying homage to Malcolm Butler's 2017 campaign. Gilmore is much better than what he showed. ... Devin McCourty was asked to play closer to the line, which led to a step back from him. ... Patrick Chung looks hurt as he allowed a touchdown and missed two huge tackles. If he's healthy, Chung is one of the best tacklers on the team. He has to be dinged. ... Jason McCourty was very good in this game. Perhaps his best of the season. ... I chalked up two big Titans play to scheme because they often reverted to zone thanks to Marcus Mariota's running ability.