Titan Sized
FanSided

Titans vs Patriots: Wild Card game staff picks and predictions

By Will Lomas

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 21: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots reacts during the first half against the Buffalo Bills in the game at Gillette Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 21: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots reacts during the first half against the Buffalo Bills in the game at Gillette Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Titans QB, Ryan Tannehill.
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Will Lomas

I’m honestly a little bit surprised the Titans got to where they are now. Not because I think this team is fake, but just because Tennessee fans know all too well the heartbreak and disappointment that comes with being a fan in Nashville in “must win games.”

Having said that, the only way to convince me that the Titans aren’t the better team on the field is if they lose against the Patriots.

When I look at both rosters I think Tennessee is overwhelmingly better on offense and recent history tells us that Ryan Tannehill is the quarterback playing the best between the old AFC East rivals.

Former Bill Belichick’s disciples have done a great job in the last few years against their former boss, whether that means vets who worked under him for years or former coaching assistants.

You can expect each guy to take this incredibly seriously and no stone should be left unturned with both coaches loving to be aggressive and try tricky things.

I should say that defensively, you have to give the advantage to the Patriots because of what they have done all year. However, the stats are heavily skewed from a dominant early season performance that covers up the sins of some late season slip ups for the Patriots.

If the Patriots can’t pull out any playoff magic and if the addition of Adoree Jackson finally puts Dean Pees back in his aggressive mindset, then this game should go exactly how the Titans want it.

With frequent blitzes that force Tom Brady to go away from Julian Edelman and towards less proven players, fans should see a day of discomfort for the Hall of Fame QB.

Offensively, the Titans need to force the Patriots to make a choice on whether they want to defend the run or the pass. Either way, Tennessee is talented enough to take what the defense gives them and then stay aggressive when they need to be.

Hopefully the game won’t come down to special teams, but if it does it will be a “matchup” between All-Pros with Matthew Slater and Brett Kern each representing their team.

Titans win 35-21

Home/Titans News