As the New England Patriots prepare for the 2017 NFL playoffs, Full Press Patriots provides a first look at their Divisional Round opponents, the Tennessee Titans.
Scouting Report:

Head-to-Head Result: No regular season matchup
Offense Rank: 19th in points per game (20.9 per game); 23rd in yards per game (314 per game); 15th in rush yards per game (114.6 per game); 23rd in pass yards per game (199.4 per game)
Defense Rank: 17th in points allowed (22.2 per game); 13th in yards allowed (328 yards per game); 4th in rush defense (88.8 per game); 25th in pass yards per game (239.2 per game)
Key Offensive Players: Marcus Mariota QB, Derrick Henry RB, DeMarco Murray RB, Delanie Walker TE, Rishard Matthews WR
Key Defensive Players: Jurrell Casey DT, Kevin Byard S, Wesley Woodyard LB, Derrick Morgan LB
Why this is a good matchup for the Patriots:
The Patriots have yet to play the Titans in 2017, which means figuring out how they stack up isn’t as easy, but the fact they haven’t probably benefited the Titans, a team that has been wildly inconsistent. The main problem recently has been a staggeringly bad Titans offense, which hasn’t scored above 24 points since week six and has scored less than 20 points in three of their past five games. The most glaring problem has been a steep regression for quarterback Marcus Mariota, who has thrown 15 interceptions this year after having just 19 in his first two years combined when he looked like he was on the cusp of cementing his place as a stud quarterback.
When looking at a bad offense that relies heavily on the run game to score their points, it is no wonder why this would be such a favorable matchup for New England. The Patriots are among the top offenses in football ranking first in total yards led by their stellar passing game, which ranked second in the NFL. With Tom Brady at the helm, the Patriots would be able to score in bunches and pressure the Titans into having to abandon their run game and leave the ball in the hands of Mariota, who as mentioned earlier has been prone to more poor throws than in the past.
The Patriots multiple offenses and diverse cast of offensive weapons they can use in the passing game give them a massive edge and one that would surely be exploited in a potential game.
-
Ep 103: Tom Brady Retires, Sean Payton To Broncos, Super Bowl Primer
by Full Press Coverage on February 5, 2023 at 3:49 pm
(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Why this is a bad matchup for the Patriots:
The Patriots should have no reason to fear or avoid anyone. They have been great at home and have been great in all three phases recently. However, the Titans do have a path to beating the Patriots if they can get pressure on Brady with four or five rushers and make him feel the rush, as well as pair that with a solid man-to-man coverage. That though seems unlikely considering the Titans top sack man is Derrick Morgan with 7.5 sacks and they aren’t great against the pass.
Despite that, they can control the ball and keep Brady off the field, lowering the potential for New England to blow them out of the water. If the Titans use their strength which is their offensive line and their two-headed monster at running back, they could magnify each possession for a Patriots offense that has struggled to separate from coverage in recent weeks.
Key Matchup: Patrick Chung/Devin McCourty/ vs Delanie Walker

Of the Titans weapons, Delanie Walker is clearly the most explosive considering he is one of the better all-around tight ends in the game. Walker has solid athleticism, good hands and is a good in-line blocker who can move people. The Patriots would most likely rely on Patrick Chung or Devin McCourty to cover Walker, who is like a safety blanket for Mariota, but could also use bracket coverage or use a bigger corner like Gilmore or Rowe on Walker. There are a lot of options for Belichick and Patricia, but they need to keep him in check.
Favorability scale (1 being ‘stay away’ / 5 being ‘neutral’ / 10 being ‘Mr. Kraft should fly them here himself’)
8– The Titans do not really pose much of a threat considering how much trouble they have had scoring points, as well as their poor pass coverage this year. They also do not possess strong enough man to man corners nor a dominant pass rush, two things that have been the formula to beat the Patriots in the past and this year. They could control the time of possession, but with how strong the red zone defense has been for the Patriots, it’s difficult see them scoring enough touchdowns even in that scenario.
–David Albiani is a Staff Writer for Full Press Coverage Sports Media. He covers the New England Patriots. Follow him on Twitter @david_albiani
-
Ep 142: Former Washington Quarterback And Super Bowl Champion Doug Williams Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:19 pm
Former Washington quarterback and Super Bowl champion Doug Williams joins […]
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Episode 3.2) Offseason Talk with the "Command This!" Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 3:04 am
George Carmi hosts Steve, Dev, and Phil as they discuss the Commanders […]
-
Ep 167: Super Bowl LVII Previewby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 12:33 am
This season premiere featured a preview of the NFL's season finale. In […]
-
2/7 - Super Bowl Headlines, Mahomes, Tom Brady Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines heading into Super Bowl 57 […]
-
2/6 - Kyrie Irving Traded, Sean Payton To Broncos, Early Super Bowl Oddsby Full Press Coverage on February 6, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Ian and John discuss the Kyrie Irving trade, Sean Payton heading to […]
-
2/3 - Tom Brady Retires... For Goodby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's second, and likely final, retirement. […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Suns at Netsby Broken Controller Media on February 7, 2023 at 5:00 pm
-
2/7 - Super Bowl Headlines, Mahomes, Tom Brady Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:30 pm
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
-
Full Press MMA - Monday, February 6thby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 12:00 am
-
Ep. 93: Vanderbilt Head Baseball Coach Tim Corbinby Full Press Coverage on February 6, 2023 at 11:03 pm
-
Bucks at Trail Blazersby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Thunder at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Mavericks at Jazzby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 9:15 pm
-
Kings at Rocketsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 8:30 pm
-
Spurs at Bullsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 7:45 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm