Saturday night at 8:15 p.m. The Tennessee Titans pay a visit to the defending champion New England Patriots house in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Titans are nearly two-touchdown underdogs going into Gillette Stadium. It won’t be easy to defeat the top-seeded Patriots in this their eighth consecutive season in the divisional round.
Earlier this week, Managing Editors Mike D’Abate (FPC Patriots) and Dean Williams (FPC Titans) sat down to discuss this matchup.
Here, Mike D’Abate shares his insight on the Patriots perspective.
DW: The Patriots defense has been maligned all season but they wind up 5th in scoring defense. Can you point at a specific time where the defense turned it around?
MD: In 2017, the Patriots have employed a classic ‘bend, but don’t break’ defense. They will surrender yards but seem to find a way to keep teams out of the end zone. At least, that’s the way it has been in the second half of the season. This is a defense that began this year surrendering 42 points to Kansas City, 33 points to Houston, and 33 to Carolina. For me, the turning point seemed to occur during Week Seven at home against the Falcons. Despite Atlanta’s struggles early on, they still have a prolific offense. The Pats were able to get pressure on Matt Ryan and tighten up their run defense. That brought their confidence back and showed the Patriots that they still had the skill to stifle a top-flight offense. There are still weaknesses there. However, when at its peak, the Patriots can match-up with the league’s most potent offenses. They will need to be VERY good on Saturday. Tennessee has weapons and these Titans will be ready.
DW: Do you think the latest round of “the sky is falling” stories from ESPN has distracted the Patriots or has it been a unifying factor?
MD: I honestly believe that it will neither add to nor detract from the Patriots focus on Saturday. This is a team that has been to the mountaintop several times, and they have dealt with outside noise before. The trio of Kraft, Brady and Belichick value winning above all other exaggerations and character attacks. It is ironic that this type of ‘noise’ seems to generate from Bristol, CT, more often than not. But… I digress. If it does motivate anyone, it will most likely be Tom Brady. The Pats QB was not painted in the most flattering of light in this story. If he’s angry, that could bode well for the Patriots offense. At the end of the day, however, it’s the Playoffs. The Titans and Patriots will be equally motivated to play a great game…and that’s exactly what I think we will see on Saturday.
-
Ep 102: Chiefs, Eagles Advance To The Super Bowl
by Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:26 pm
DW: Derrick Henry is a battering ram. Marcus Mariota is an agile quarterback. How will the Patriots attack the problem of stopping them?
MD: Derrick Henry’s size, speed, and agility make him one of the most dangerous threats on an NFL football field. He certainly isn’t built like a running back. At 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, he’ll be the biggest back the Patriots have faced this season. Patriots linebacker Marquis Flowers, whose speed has helped him emerge as a starter in recent weeks, may be essential in stopping Henry. But at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, Flowers is actually shorter and lighter than Henry. Both Flowers and DT Ricky Jean-Francois compared tackling Henry to bringing down a defensive end. The key is getting to him early. It all comes down to fundamentals It will be a tough task.
MD: As for Marcus Mariota, Bill Belichick is known for giving young quarterbacks fits, both in the regular season and in the playoffs. The front seven, particularly the defensive ends, will need to play their best game of the season if they hope to contain Mariota. The best bet for the Patriots would be to let Mariota try to beat them through the air. If they can confuse Mariota at the line of scrimmage, they might be able to throw him off his game.
DW: Who do you see as the key or keys for the Patriots in Saturday’s game?
MD: On offense, the O-Line must protect its quarterback. Tom Brady has been sacked 35 times this season, which was tied for 9th in the NFL. In all fairness, the offensive line has not been terrible. However, this is the playoffs. Brady is 40 years of age. If the Titans defenders can keep Brady on the move by applying consistent pressure, then this could be a much different game than people are expecting. Titans safety Kevin Byard recently said that he wants to make Brady look like Blake Bortles. I think that’s a bit of wishful thinking, on his part. However, he might just get his wish of snagging an interception if Brady is forced to make bad throws. To me, Brady’s ability to buy time in the pocket is the key to this game.
DW: What is your prediction for the game?
MD: This will be a closer game than most people think. Tennessee has a lot of weapons and they are playing with a lot of confidence right now. They will surprise people and get some points on the board. That being said, it is a lot to expect such a young team to come into Gillette Stadium and defeat the defending champions. In the end, the Patriots wealth of playmakers will be a bit too much for the Titans to overcome. The Pats take this one 24-17 and advance to the AFC Championship Game.
-
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 […]
-
2/3 - 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 […]
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Ian and John recap the Eagles and Chiefs victories on Conference […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
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 […]
-
Hawks at Nuggetsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Mavericks at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Rockets at Thunderby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 8:15 pm
-
Heat at Bucksby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 7:30 pm
-
Trail Blazers at Bullsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 6:45 pm
-
Clippers at Knicksby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
Suns at Pistonsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 5:15 pm
-
Wizards at Netsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 4:30 pm
-
Lakers at Pelicansby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 3:45 pm
-
Ep 150: Owen Hart Part One - Young Gunby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 3:00 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