The Patriots Will DOMINATE in Week 7, Here's Why...

Matt Hylen
2 days ago
3 min read

Week 7 of the NFL season is officially underway, as the New England Patriots will travel to Tennessee to take on the 1-5 Titans. This matchup also marks Head Coach Mike Vrabel's first game back in Tennessee since his firing by the team. So, even though the matchup may be one-sided on paper, this one is personal for the Patriots.

With that, let's get into what this Sunday will look like in Tennessee.

Injury Report

Credit to Matthew J Lee/Boston Globe staff

Multiple new faces showed up on the injury report this week. However, Vrabel did not seem overly concerned about anyone missing Sunday's game. Here is the most recent injury report released by the team:

QUESTIONABLE

WR Stefon Diggs (Chest)

S Jaylinn Hawkins (Hamstring)

LB Harold Landry III (Ankle)

CB Charles Woods (Knee)

As for the Titans, here is a look at their most recent injury report:

OUT

OL Blake Hance (Shoulder)

OLB Arden Key (Quadricep)

WR Brice Oliver (Knee)

WR Calvin Ridley (Hamstring)

QUESTIONABLE

CB Marcus Harris (Calf)

OLB Dre'Mont Jones (Knee)

NT T'Vondre Sewat (Ankle)

My Keys to the Game

To start off, the Pats need to find a way to get the run game going. This Titans defense is not very good, despite having one of the best defensive players in football, Jeffrey Simmons, on their D-line. If the Patriots want to eventually beat the good teams consistently, their running attack can't be nonexistent. Whether it be more outside run designs for Tre'Veon Henderson or a confidence boost for Rhamondre Stevenson, the offense needs to use this type of game as an opportunity to figure out how to get this rushing attack going. Stevenson needs that confidence boost, while Henderson still looks like a rookie with jitters. The Pats cannot give up on the run game so easily due to the fear of the offense becoming one-dimensional. Tennessee's rush defense is bottom-10 in the league, meaning they have to figure out a way to balance the offense.

Along with that, the offense needs to manage the game better. This works hand-in-hand with the rushing attack. If the Patriots figure out a way to get Henderson and/or Stevenson going, it will make managing games a heck of a lot easier. Last week, New England gave the Saints far too many opportunities to get back into the game, which resulted in the game being as close as it was. The Titans are a far worse team that is days out from firing their head coach. The Pats need to put the hammer down early, gain a good lead, then learn to manage the game from there.

Last but certainly not least, the defense will need to be a little more complex. For most of this season, New England has run a man-to-man style offense with most of their blitzes being with man coverage. I am not saying this is a problem, especially since their CBs are all better in man coverage. However, with that said, I would like to see a little more complexity. With Titans rookie QB Cam Ward struggling with accuracy and efficiency, the Pats should throw all different sorts of packages at him. Play more zone and make Ward beat you that way. Blitz often on later downs and force Ward to make a play. The Titans have struggled all season long with moving the ball down the field, and with Calvin Ridley out, there are not many weapons for Ward to throw to. Thus, make Ward beat you and add some complexity to this defense.

Who Wins?

If you could not tell already, I think the Patriots breeze past the Titans this week. New England has been playing so well the past three games, while Tennessee's only win was basically on accident. I think Vrabel comes into this game with the same fire we saw Stefon Diggs have against the Bills, which could be a scary sight if you're the Titans. Mac and the offense will continue to roll, with the possibility of a season-best game for the defense. Tennessee is a rebuilding team that is too banged up and just not there talent-wise to compete with a Patriots team this red-hot. With all due respect to the Titans, this has Patriots dominance written all over it.

Final Score Prediction: 35-10 in favor of the New England Patriots