Tennessee Titans vs New England Patriots Week 1 Preview

If there is one thing that is self-explanatory during week one of this year’s NFL season it is that the New England Patriots are favored over the Tennessee Titans. Who would have thought that? Considering the last time they played each other the Titans were shut out 59-0. But that was in 2009, and a lot has changed.

There is no such thing as a sure thing, and when you compare these two teams, you will be surprised at how many things could go wrong for the Patriots to have a loss the first week of the season. The Patriots believe it or not are only favored by a touchdown, a spread that the Titans could very well cover.

For the Titans is clearly going to be obvious. Can you imagine your very first professional regular season game as a quarterback being against Tom Brady and the Patriots? The consistency, confidence and athleticism of rookie quarterback Jake Locker is going to make or break this game. He just does not match up to that of Brady. There is no comparison…yet. The last time these teams met Brady had 380 yards. Wes Welker had 150 yards.

At the time, the Titans’ biggest threat was Chris Johnson who had 128 yards against New England. Everyone is concerned about the off year that he had, concerning his contract and that he may not be in the sport 100 percent. He has already shown in preseason that he is getting back to the old CJ and there is no doubt that he will continue to succeed. Don’t be surprised though if you see a little Darius Reynaud in the mix, he did after all earn his spot on the roster.

On the upper side of things for the Titans is their offense against the Patriots defense. This will be the exciting part of the game and this is where Locker is going to really have to prove himself. Mike Munchak has given Locker all the weapons that he needs to compete in this battle, it’s a matter of how the rookie decides he wants to use them. Kenny Britt may be out of the picture on Sunday but that shouldn’t have any effect on the way that the Titans are able to play.

With rookie potential like Kendall Wright alongside Nate Washington people whom think the receiving is going to be the problem, just may go home Sunday a little surprised. Steve Hutchinson is a great addition to the Titans’ offensive line, however he can’t do it alone. Locker is going to need to get a lot of great blocks to provide for more time in the pocket if he is going to have a successful game.

If the Patriots can post fear in the rookie, which is very likely, and scare him out of the pocket too much, there lies the problems starting for Tennessee. It’s hard to say whether or not Locker is more comfortable with his run game yet, he seems to be pretty confident though in finding his receivers.

Where the Patriots are really going to get the Titans is on their defense. Even before the season opener was decided, the Titans knew their defense was their biggest concern, hence why they went after guys like Coty Sensabaugh. But with Jason McCourty, Derrick Morgan and Alterraun Verner, in a game like this, you have to play the guys with experience. Sen’Derrick Marks is still questionable with injury.

When it comes to covering the spread though it’s hard to say where those six or so points will come from. It’s a slim possibility that Jake Locker could prove all of his haters wrong and have a great game passing a few gem touchdowns. A more likely situation is that Titans’ kicker Rob Bironas will have to come through because Locker couldn’t get into the redzone. It’s no doubt that the Tennessee Titans vs New England Patriots is going to be one of the most watched games this Sunday, and you won’t want to miss it.