In the run game, outside runs were once again an issue for the Patriots defense. All three of Pollard’s explosives came on runs outside the tackles, with a game-planned crack toss scheme in the Titans opening script going for 32 yards on an opening-drive touchdown for Tennessee.
After the game, the defense seemed pleased that they got the ball back to the offense with a chance to win in overtime. However, that ignored the context that the Titans had to settle for a field goal after botching a snap on third-and-2 from the NE 7.
Overall, the numbers don’t look as bad as in Week 7, with the Titans producing just a 32% success rate on 39 rush attempts. But it was still a London-like feel in overtime watching Tennessee go on a 13-play scoring drive that proved to be the game-winner.
5. CB Christian Gonzalez Shadows Titans WR Calvin Ridley
Another marquee matchup in this one was Patriots top corner Christian Gonzalez shadowing Titans number one receiver Calvin Ridley. Gonzo shadowed Ridley on 24 routes, with the Titans wideout catching three passes for 51 yards with Gonzalez in coverage. The Pats CB logged a first-half pass breakup on a perfectly covered slot fade, but Ridley converted a key third down in overtime vs. Gonzalez’s man coverage. Yes, there are leverage rules at play there. Still, you’d like to see Gonzalez come up with a play on third-and-5 with the game on the line.
6. LB Jahlani Tavai Plays Best Game of the Season in Nashville
Tavai’s play has come under fire this season without partner Ja’Whaun Bentley next to him at the second level of the defense, including from this scribe. However, Tavai was great on Sunday. The Pats linebacker led the team with 11 tackles, had a tip-drill interception, a five-yard TFL, and a key QB hit. The Patriots defense needs this version of Tavai for the rest of the year.
7. Patriots End-of-Half Offense Needs Work, Starts with Coaches
My assessment of Van Pelt is that the Patriots offensive coordinator has been moving in the right direction. Mainly, AVP’s had rookie QB Drake Maye on an upward trajectory, which is his number one priority over in-game coaching. Still, they must figure out the end of first halves, and, overall, the first-half play-calling left a lot to be desired.
At the end of the first half, Maye completed back-to-back throws to WR Kendrick Bourne for 23 yards – the rookie had them moving. Then, on 2nd-and-1 with 1:38 left from the NE 38, Van Pelt prioritized the first down over gaining yards in the two-minute drill. Philosophically, I disagree with that approach. If you keep your foot on the gas with a 2nd-and-1 pass, moving the chains will take care of itself. The clock and field position are your enemy there, not a new set of down.
Instead, Van Pelt went gun-run on second down (stuff) followed by a stuffed third-down run out of heavy personnel. If you’re going to prioritize the first down there, then you better get the yard. We’ve seen Maye lead successful two-minute drills before, and he was cooking, so putting him on ice in that spot is a head-scratcher.
Also, what’s the clock management plan? After the second-down stuff, the Patriots didn’t call a timeout despite having all three, so the third-down run came with 52 seconds left. Even if you get the first down on third down, you have about 47 seconds to go another 30 yards or so. That’s theoretically possible, but that entire sequence was bad coaching and execution.
The Patriots have routinely botched end-of-half scenarios this season. It has either cost them opportunities at points or even handed the other team points before halftime.
8. Special Teams Caputilze on Clear Advantage Over Titans
The Patriots special teams had an advantage in this game and made the most of it. Tennessee came into the week as the league’s worst special teams unit in DVOA and is historically bad in punt coverage. The game started with an illegal formation penalty when the Titans moved early on the opening kickoff. Then, Pats return man Marcus Jones had a 44-yard return and gave his offense great field position on a 25-yard return to set up the game-tying drive that sent it to OT. That last one was almost blocked by Ochaun Mathis, too, and Marcellas Dial also forced a fumble on a punt return. Jeremy Springer’s group won the field position battle.