Titans vs. Patriots: Reasons for optimism and concern for Tennessee

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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 21: Stephon Gilmore #24 of the New England Patriots looks on during the first half against the Buffalo Bills in the game at Gillette Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /

Optimism: Past success vs. Stephon Gilmore

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is a master at taking away an opponent’s best players, and on Saturday you can be assured he’ll try to stop Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown first and foremost.

Belichick’s formula for taking away Brown is obvious: shadow him with Stephon Gilmore.

While Gilmore is arguably the best corner in the NFL, the Titans have had success against him in the past. In the Week 10 matchup back in 2018, Corey Davis went off on Gilmore, finishing with seven catches for 125 yards and a touchdown.

Of course, we’re talking about two different receivers in Davis and Brown, but there’s no doubt the former No. 5 overall pick is going to share whatever secrets he has with the Ole Miss product in order to help him win such a matchup.

Gilmore was been anything but a shutdown corner in his last meeting with the Titans, which gives hope that Brown can still make an impact in this game. And, even if he doesn’t, Davis has enough of a track record to make him an x-factor against the Pats.

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