New England Patriots (4-2) at Tennessee Titans (1-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Betting Hero Odds: Patriots -7, Total 42.5
Series Rewind: Current Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was head coach of the Titans when Tennessee beat the Patriots in the 2019 postseason. In the regular-season series, the Titans have won three of the past four meetings, including a 20-17 overtime home victory last season.
Vrabel instantly is turning around the Patriots, who bring a three-game winning streak into the clash. Tennessee is now seeking a new coach after firing Brian Callahan following last week’s 20-10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders that continued a dreadful start. Anyone want to remind Titans’ brass who coached the franchise to the 2019 season AFC Championship Game? Oh yeah, Mr. Vrabel, who spent six seasons in Nashville before being dismissed following the 2023 season. New England is on the rise and second-year quarterback Drake Maye is displaying he’s the real deal with 1,522 yards and 10 touchdowns against two interceptions. Linebacker Harold Landry was a Vrabel favorite in Tennessee and he is thriving with a team-high 4.5 sacks in his first season with the Patriots. Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward is struggling with 1,101 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions and the franchise is hoping interim head coach Mike McCoy can jumpstart an offense that ranks 31st in scoring (13.8 points per game) and last in total offense (232.3 yards per game). It will have to happen without top receiver Calvin Ridley (hamstring), who is out this week. RB Tony Pollard is shining on the ground with 362 yards and two touchdowns. Star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons has a team-high 4.5 sacks and the three-time Pro Bowler has a solid chance of surpassing his career-best 8.5 in 2021.