NASHVILLE – The Titans face the New England Patriots on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.

Here’s a look at six things to watch in the contest:

Interim coach Mike McCoy replaced Brian Callahan this week, changing the vibes inside the building. Will it change the results on Sundays? Well, we’ll begin to get some clues this Sunday when the team returns to action. McCoy is an experienced coach who has preached togetherness, accountability and the importance of complementary football. His top priority is to win games, but finding ways to jumpstart the offense has to be priority No.2. During his days as a head coach with the Chargers, his offenses finished in the top 10 in passing offense all four seasons. Not everything is going to change in one week (and keep in mind QBs coach Bo Hardegree is still calling plays), but might we see a more aggressive approach?

A Former Sheriff Returns to Town

I’m sure some folks around here would rather me not even mention Mike Vrabel’s name this week. But I’m not going to ignore the fact the former head of the Titans is bringing these resurgent Patriots to town. Vrabel served as the Titans coach for six seasons, and his teams went 54-45 with three playoff experiences before he was fired after losing 18 of his final 24 games as the head coach. Vrabel’s staff is loaded with former Titans assistants, and his roster includes former Titans edge rusher Harold Landry III. I’m sure Vrabel would love nothing more than to beat his old club. The Titans don’t want to give these guys a happy homecoming.

How Will Cam Ward Respond?

Titans quarterback Cam Ward is coming off a pretty sloppy game in Las Vegas, when he turned the ball over three times, including twice on lost fumbles. Part of McCoy’s mission is to get the quarterback, and the offense, on track. Ward has completed 111 passes so far, which is second-most all-time through six games by a Titans rookie, trailing only Marcus Mariota (131). But the offense has pretty much been stuck in the mud, averaging just 12.8 points per game (last in the NFL), 232.3 yards per game (last in the NFL) and 15.2 first downs per game (last in the NFL). Not all of the shortcomings can be pinned on Ward, but he’s going to need to show improvement for the results to change.

This team’s offensive struggles can’t all be pinned on the quarterback, or the coaching, for that matter. The Titans need to be better around Ward, including from a protection standpoint. The Titans are averaging just 81.7 rush ypg, which is second fewest in the league, and Ward has been sacked 25 times in six games. Titans receiver Calvin Ridley hasn’t been practicing this week with a hamstring injury, so that’s not a great sign. If Ridley can’t go, others will need to step up, from the receivers to the tight ends to the running backs.

Don’t Let it be a Maye Day

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is blossoming into a star in Year 2. Maye has completed 73.2 percent of his passes, with 10 touchdowns vs only two interceptions and a 112.5 passer rating. He’s 3-0 on the road this season, and he leads the NFL with a 75.0 completion percentage on third and fourth down. He also leads the NFL with a 157.0 passer rating on deep passes (20-plus yards in the air). I could keep posting Maye superlatives, because he’s been that good. The Titans need to change this, with some push inside, and some plays on the back end. Getting T’Vondre Sweat back should help a defense has gotten dominating play from defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (4.5 sacks, 8 TFLs, 11 QB hits – all top 10).

Well, this category is barely hanging on now, because the percentages are about to go to all zeros if things don’t change. Since 1990, teams starting 2-5 have made the playoffs 6.3% (11/174) of the time, won the division 2.9% (5/174) of the and won the Super Bowl, um, never. Teams starting 1-6 have made the playoffs just 0.0% (0/191) of the time, won the division 0.0% (0/91) of the time, and won the Super Bowl, well, again never. The Patriots are 7½ point favorites over the Titans.