Patriots at Titans
Game Info
Kickoff: Saturday 8/17 at 7:00 PM
Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
Betting Odds: NE -3 via Oddsshark
Network: Not nationally televised, WKRN or WBZ locally
New England Patriots
Touches in the Backfield
In their first preseason game, Nick Brossette led the Patriots in carries. Now, no one expects that to matter in the regular season, but this is valuable information. Damien Harris was held out of the game just like Sony Michel and James White. Harris does not have any reported injury, so this could be an important sign. Either the Patriots view Harris as a player with a role in the first-team offense or an important backup who they do not want to risk getting injured. Watch to see if any of the top backs get any run in this game.
Wide Open Receiving Spots
Be it WR or TE, the Patriots have spots to fill for Tom Brady to throw to. Julian Edelman is the only player to have a locked-in receiving role come week one of the regular season. N’Keal Harry has been up and down throughout training camp and had two catches last week. It has been Jakobi Meyers, an undrafted rookie, making the headlines during training camp. Meyers then went out and had 6 catches for 69 yards and 2 touchdowns. That was not with Brady, as he didn’t play, but Meyers is proving to know the offense (key for playing time in New England). Matt LaCosse is battling with Ben Watson over the number one TE once Watson returns from suspension early in the year. Both had quiet preseason debuts.
Stidham Hype?
Jared Stidham was the seventh QB taken in this past draft. Stidham had some supporters during his early college career but then struggled later at Auburn. The Patriots selected Stidham in the fourth round as their developmental QB (that they seem to draft every year and then Brady keeps playing). He had a great first preseason game going 14/24 for 179 yards and a touchdown. Stidham looked comfortable. Keep an eye to see if he can build off this performance.
Tennessee Titans
New Weapons
The Titans made a concerted effort this offseason to get Marcus Mariota more weapons in the passing game. This is a crucial year for Mariota to prove that he should get his second contract with the team. Adam Humphries was signed, and they drafted A.J. Brown. Humphries seems to have built a nice rapport with Mariota already, hauling in all four of Mariota’s completions and getting six of the eight targets. Unfortunately, Brown has not been able to practice much with a hamstring injury. Humphries has capitalized and may end up being the number two to Corey Davis.
QB Competition?
Speaking of Mariota, the Titans also traded for Ryan Tannehill. Mariota has been plagued by injuries for much of his career, so this most likely is just insurance and an upgrade on Blaine Gabbert. But… could there be a competition here? Tannehill has been injured often as well. But when he’s played, he is not that different from Tannehill. If the Titans offense falters early in the year, would it shock anyone to see Tannehill behind center at some point? I don’t think it should, so keep an eye out.
Offensive Line Reinforcements
Exotic smashmouth. For a while, that was used a joke to laugh at the Titans offense. But even this upcoming year, the Titans appear to be committed to running the ball. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has said he wants to ride Derrick Henry like they did late last season. To accomplish this, the Titans reinforced their offensive line with two new guards: signing Rodger Saffold and draftee Nate Davis. Davis has not officially won the job, but most project him to beat out Kevin Pamphile eventually. With those two additions, the Titans should be one of the better run blocking units. Exciting news for Henry.
-Frank Costanzo (@FrankQBList)