FOXBOROUGH — Yes, things could potentially get very strange in these parts after tonight.
I don't have to spell it out for you. That's one of the great things about this site and its members — you know what's going on so we don't have to write that Julian Edelman plays receiver or Bill Belichick is the coach or ... Tom Brady could be playing his final home game.
We all know the situation. And if anyone's selling you that Brady's going to do X, Y, and Z after the season ... well, they're just guessing because not even Brady knows what's going to happen.
But enough ink and internet space will be spent on that topic over the next six months. This is still about this team, this field, that crowd and tonight's game.
And while the Titans are certainly a formidable opponent, I just don't think this is the end of the road for this group.
Here are a few reasons why:
1. The Patriots' defense got embarrassed last week and that won't happen again.
Perfect timing, and, no, Belichick didn't plan for that to happen. You could certainly say that the group is tired and on fumes — they played like that — but I'm not taking the cheese ... at least not this week. Dont'a Hightower, Devin McCourty, Kyle Van Noy, Lawrence Guy and Stephon Gilmore have way too much pride to have people think that last week was reflective of this group that has accomplished so much, especially, in the last 17-plus games.
2. Titans have the formula save for one key spot.
If you looked at some of the teams that have given the Patriots the most trouble in recent years, the Ravens, Chiefs and Giants among them, the key trait in my mind is the attitude of the coaching staff. You definitely have to coach a certain way against the Patriots, and the Titans haves that with Mike Vrabel and defensive coordinator Dean Pees.
But those opponents also had unflappable and confident quarterbacks. Joe Flacco, Lamar Jackson, Alex Smith, Patrick Mahomes, and Eli Manning were a terrific blend of little bit cocky, calm and cool, and — let's be honest — being a little dim. Sometimes it's better to not realize what's at stake.
And I just don't see Ryan Tannehill in that same way, and I think his resurrection has been a little oversold. I watched a lot of film on him and I still see him making poor reads and borderline stupid throws. Against some teams, you can get away with that. Not this defense, not that secondary in this stadium.
Of course, Mark Sanchez beat the Patriots a few times too (but he had a great defense).
3. Patriots have answers for the Titans defense.
Tennessee has a good little defense that is capable of playing a number of different ways. But they don't really have much pass rush after Cameron Wake was put on injured reserve (he's the type of player that could have swung this game). Harold Landry is OK, but the Patriots will handle him. Like the Patriots, the Titans have to rely on scheming pressure and what they have in athletic ability, they lack in football IQ and can be had. They're similar to the Bills in that way, so I expect a similar gameplan that will slow up the Titans' speed.
I also expect the Patriots to spread the Titans out. It doesn't play to New England's strengths, but it gives Brady much more information at the line. Give him that edge, the ability to find mismatches and identify pressure, and possibly play with some tempo should give the Patriots enough room to be effective on offense.
While some of you were busy dumping on Brady and saying he's done, what you've missed is the offensive line and the offense in general have played better in the past month. Not allowing the Titans a chance to set up pressure and grinding the clock will give the Patriots the edge in this game.
GAME PICK
Line: Patriots by 4.5. O/U: 45. Season: 11-5, 9-7 ATS.
Patriots 27, Titans 20
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