The longest active win streak in the NFL is on the line in the week 12 Titans at Patriots meeting. New England has rattled off five wins in a row, but they look to improve on a 2-4 record at Foxborough when Tennessee visits on Sunday afternoon.
The Titans are +7 point underdogs in this matchup, but they actually have value since they’re playing a good team. Tennessee has gone 8-2 over their last 10 games, with their losses coming against the 2-8 Jets (27-24 OT) and last Sunday against the 2-8 Texans (22-13).
Titans Still Alright
The 22-13 loss at home to Houston (as 10.5 favorites) was a gut punch, but it’s important that the Titans put that game behind them and move forward. Tennessee is still 8-3 and atop the AFC South and with a win on Sunday that can put some padding between them and 7-4 New England, who is coming for that #1 seed throughout the playoffs.
About that loss though – is it a one timer or a sign of things to come for Tennessee? The Titans probably would have beaten Houston if not for a career high 4 INTs from Ryan Tannehill considering they outgained the Texans 420-190. Two of those interceptions came late in the 4th quarter, so Tannehill has to be better against a Patriots defense that shut out Atlanta in their last meeting.
Last week’s loss to the Texans was Tennessee’s third without RB Derrick Henry, but that stretch also included wins over the Rams and Saints. This week the Titans got some more bad injury news as A.J. Brown (chest) was added to the I.R and will miss at least three games. An offense that had Henry, Brown, and Julio Jones a few weeks ago now relies on D’Onta Foreman, Chester Rogers, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Patriots Keep Climbing
New England looked down and out following a 2-4 start, but they’ve come into their own with five straight wins. Now they can take the tiebreaker over Tennessee with a win in the week 12 Titans at Patriots matchup. One thing New England needs to avoid is looking ahead to their matchup with Buffalo next week, who they are tied with atop the AFC East at 7-4.
Bill Belichick faces an old player on Monday when Mike Vrabel brings his Titans team to town. The former New England linebacker is 2-0 vs. his former team, winning in his NFL debut and also in Tom Brady’s last game with the Patriots in the postseason two years ago.
New England should have some concerns after managing just one TD in last week’s win over Atlanta. QB Mac Jones did hit 22 of 26 passes though, and the Patriots have a balanced backfield with both Rhamondre Stevenson and Damien Harris going for over 55 yards.
Week 12 Titans at Patriots Pick
This is a tough spot for New England in the look-ahead game prior to a meeting with Buffalo. They’re also just 2-4 at Foxborough but the thing that sticks out in this matchup is just how banged up the Titans offense is. Tannehill threw the ball 52 times last week against the Texans which shows Tennessee no longer has balance without Henry. That’s dangerous against a Belichick defense.
Patriots 27 – Titans 17
Free Pick: Patriots -7
