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The New England Patriots will head to Music City on Sunday for a clash with their old friend Mike Vrabel and the Tennessee Titans in the tenth week of the NFL season.
THE DETAILS
Time: Sunday, 1 pm ET
Location, Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee.
THE CHANCES
The 7-2 Patriots are currently considered the favorites of the seven-point road compared to the 4-4 Titans. New England 7-0 in this series since 2003, including wins in the 2004 and 2017 division rounds.
INJURY REPORT
Six players are considered doubtful for the Patriots:
TE Rob Gronkowski (ankle / back)
RB Sony Michel (knee)
G Shaq Mason (calf)
LB Dont'a Hightower (knee)
TE Jacob Hollister (hamstring)
OT Trent Brown (disease)
The six players practiced Friday as a limited. Brown has been absent for the previous two days.
Wide receivers Josh Gordon, Julian Edelman and Cordarrelle Patterson were all removed from the injury report this week, as were defensemen John Simon and longtime Joe Cardona.
On the other hand, the Titans have dismissed the right-wing forward Jack Conklin (concussion). Major receivers Tajae Sharpe and Taywan Taylor, linebacker Derrick Morgan, defensive lineman Bennie Logan and safety Dane Cruikshank are all doubtful for Tennessee.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Malcolm Butler, Titans cornerback
Butler's struggles this season were the # 1 talking point in the run-up to this game. Former Patriot, who signed a $ 61 million five-year contract with the Titans after infiltrating the Super Bowl LII, suddenly appears as the NFL's worst cornerback, allowing the most taken, receive touchdowns and touchdowns his position this season. Straightening the boat this week will be very difficult for Butler against a team of Patriots who knows its shortcomings.
Sony Michel, the fleeing patriots
Will Michel return to play Sunday after missing two games due to a knee injury? That's what we expect, according to a report released by ESPN's Adam Schefter earlier this week. If Michel plays, his workload will be worth watching. The pick of the first round draft took the ball 67 times for 312 in the three games leading up to his injury, finishing second in the NFL in both categories.
Dion Lewis and the Fleeing Titans
Lewis was the # 1 weapon for the Titans Attack that sits near the bottom of the league in terms of scoring (tied for the 29th), yards per game (30th) and exceeding the yards per match (30th). In addition to leading Tennessee to the next level, the former Patriots star also ranks second in the rookie and catcher behind backstroke Corey Davis, who is expected to be guarded Sunday by Pats' lead. Stephon Gilmore. Lewis has been particularly productive lately, racking up 277 yards of scrimmage in the Titans' last two games. Expect him to be extremely motivated after receiving what he saw as disrespectful treatment from the Patriots on the loose.
Cordarrelle Patterson, wide receiver of the Patriots
Patterson has been the Patriots' incredible lead over the past two games and has shown impressive ball possession skills, especially against Green Bay (11 runs, 61 yards, one touchdown). But what happens to him once Michel returns? Will the Patriots continue to use it in the backfield, or will he return to his previous role of punt kicker and occasional doubler? Anyway, do not be surprised if the Patriots start using Patterson as a gunner in the cover of the kicked out kick. He has played roles in this role in the past and he has led representatives into practice this week.
Dennis Kelly, offensive tackle for the Titans
Kelly should be replaced in place of the injured Conklin, which means he will likely spend a good part of Sunday afternoon blocking Trey Flowers. Flowers was arguably the Patriots' best defensive player this season and he was an absolute threat against the Packers last week, putting Aaron Rodgers nine times at the top of the season. The Patriots also like to move the flowers to different places on the line of defense. Kelly will not be the only one to keep him away from quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Julian Edelman, wide receiver of the Patriots
Edelman and Titan quarterback Logan Ryan staged epic battles on Ryan's practice field in New England. And as Edelman missed last year's game against the Pats and Titans with a torn LCA, this will be their first match as an opponent. Edelman looks good since returning from suspension in Week 5 with 31 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns in five games. Ryan works mainly outside the time slot. Edelman and he should see each other a lot on Sunday.
IN NUMBERS
A: The number of teams the Titans have faced is currently in the top 15 of the best scores (Los Angeles Chargers, 11th). The Tennessee defense gave the NFL the fewest points this season, but it did not play exactly the strongest competition.
25-1: The record of patriots from week 5 to week 10 since 2014.
Miniature Photo via David Butler II / USA TODAY Sports Images
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