Titans vs. Patriots : 5 Keys to Victory

by smashville on Oct 17, 2009 9:00 AM CDT in Previews Comment 10 comments

More photos » by Stephan Savoia - AP

Pressure on Tom Brady will be needed to have a legitimate chance tomorrow.

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Control the clock. The best way to keep Tom Brady and the Patriots prolific offense from succeeding is to keep them on the sidelines. Long, time consuming drives are going to be needed when an offense like the Patriots plays against a defense like the Titans. If the Titans turn the ball over a few times, throw this game away. If the Titans give the ball to Tom Brady with a short field a few times, there's no way this game will even be close.
Run the ball. Last week the Titans couldn't get anything done in the run game. The team really needs to get back to the run first, pass second attitude they used last year with so much success. Play Lendale on short yardage situation, because it makes the most sense! Run the ball down the Patriots throats and tire their defense. Then, and only then we can try passing the ball some.
Don't settle for three. Last Sunday we only came up with nine points off three scoring chances. Against an offense that scores over twenty points a game, field goals are not enough. Every time the team is in the red zone, they've got to come out with 7 points.
Slow down Tom Brady. The Titans have allowed 4 of the 5 quarterbacks they have faced to throw for 300 yards. They will be without Nick Harper, Vincent Fuller, and probably Cortland Finnegan, which makes it even more difficult. Since it doesn't look like the secondary will bail the Titans out, put some pressure on Brady. Jason Jones will be back for the first time since Week 3, which should help.
Hope. The records says we have no shot in this game. The stats say we have no shot on this game. The critics say we have no shot in this game. Just hope for a few lucky breaks. A missed coverage or a few penalties going our way can't hurt. Pray that things will turn around.

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Add - Short Passing Game

After reading PatsPulpit, it seems the Patriots defense will be ripe for picking with an effective passing strategy.

Because of personnel problems, they’ve been forced to run both a 4-3 and 3-4 defense. You would think, along with their diminished talent on defense, we would be able to exploit holes in their intermediate pass coverage.

Since their pass rush has been just as bad as ours, I think we should run a steady diet of screens, crossing routes, TE seams, and a trick play or two.

Bring Back Vince Young!

by pigskinpundits.com on Oct 17, 2009 9:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

LW needs more touches

But telegraphing run on short yardage situations isn’t great either. It’s not that anybody fears the Titan passing game on 3rd and short as is, but trotting LW out on 3rd down is probably just going to get the defense pinning their ears back. LW needs to be worked into the flow of the game, that’s for sure.

by WC22 on Oct 17, 2009 9:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I see your reasoning

But I still think that #25 up the middle on 3rd and 1 is a higher percentage than the Sex Cannon strategy.

Put a hat on a hat and get 1 damn yard.

Official MCM Hater!

Retire #9!

by gramsey712 on Oct 17, 2009 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sex Cannon? What's that?

I agree that if we can’t run LW for 1 yard on 3rd and 1, we’re screwed anyways.

I haven’t seen much criticism of the offensive line. Is that merited or not?

Bring Back Vince Young!

by pigskinpundits.com on Oct 17, 2009 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, I guess it's an inside kinda joke

Bang it here

Warning: foul language. But we knew that already, right?

Official MCM Hater!

Retire #9!

by gramsey712 on Oct 17, 2009 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ha ha ha

good ’ol sexy rexy! i miss that guy….

by vancouverTITAN on Oct 18, 2009 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it

Regarding #5, I will take on the job of the Crazy Optimist again, and say we definitely have a shot to sin this. This is not a prediction, so I’m not jinxing us, but if a) we follow #2 above, b) we help Brady have an off day, c) our guys get angry about all the losses instead of moping around, then I think we have a shot at the upset.

by JimR on Oct 17, 2009 11:14 AM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs