NFL Wild Card weekend preview and predictions: The year of road warriors
By Ian Higgins
Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots
Saturday, January 4th, 8:15 PM
– Key Matchup: Ryan Tannehill vs NE secondary
– X-Factors: Derrick Henry & N’Keal Harry
New England has not been in the wild card round since a Tom Brady stinker against the Baltimore Ravens, and host a hot Titans team led by returning talent Ryan Tannehill. New England has shown serious vulnerability this season and looks to right the ship before the arrival of a Titans team led by former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel.
Brady has lacked the receiving targets after the retirement of tight end Rob Gronkowski and will need rookie N’Keal Harry to step up and perform for a playoff victory. The physical mismatch and come up against undersized corners Logan Ryan and Adoree Jackson, making him the next man up for the Patriots.
Tennessee needs to find the flaw in New England’s vaunted defense that has been exposed by so many other AFC hopefuls this season, and the combination of Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill will be the focal point to rely upon.
Derrick Henry became the NFL’s leading rusher Sunday and will look to continue his physical dominance with consistent rushing and setting a tone. Ryan Tannehill needs to continue his smart passing and pick apart New England with what is given to him rather than with big plays to wide receiver A.J. Brown.
New England’s secondary focuses on creating turnovers and baiting quarterbacks into regrettable decisions. Stephon Gilmore will have a critical matchup against leading receiver A.J. Brown and needs to play physical unlike his performance against leading Miami receiver Devante Parker. Tannehill has carried the Titans with smart passing, not flashy plays, and needs to continue that trend to bring success on Saturday.