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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. —** The Titans face the New England Patriots on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.
Here's a look at six things to watch:
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Mariota Magic**
This has been a category three weeks in a row now, because Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota continues to deliver in magical ways. Against the Jaguars it was a late-game run, and stiff-arm, followed by a stare down - and a Tennessee win. In Kansas City, Mariota threw a touchdown pass to himself, and late in the game he made a key block on Derrick Henry's game-clinching run. So what does Mariota have in store for everyone on Saturday night? Well, the Titans need him to be on, and don't be surprised if he does something out of the ordinary.
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Derrick Henry**
It's been a tale of two games for running back Derrick Henry and the Titans since starter DeMarco Murray was sidelined. Henry managed just 51 yards and 1.8 yards per carry against the Jaguars, and afterward he felt like he ran soft. Last week, Henry ran like a bulldozer, plowing his way for 156 yards and a 6.8-yard average. So which Henry will the Titans get against the Patriots? The Titans need a big game out of Henry. The Patriots are 20th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (114.8), and 31st in rushing yards per carry (4.7). The Titans need a big performance in the run game.
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Red zone**
The Patriots give up some yards on defense – New England is ranked 29th in the NFL in total defense, allowing 366.0 yards per game. The problem teams have against the Patriots is scoring points. New England is fifth overall in points allowed (18.5 ppg), and they've done a great job stiffening up in the red zone. One of the biggest keys for the Titans will center on how well they perform in the red zone, where the Titans ranked 25th in the regular season. If the Titans can only manage field goals after drives, it's going to put a lot of stress on their defense. If they're able to score touchdowns, things could get interesting.
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Fluster Brady**
OK, slowing down Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has been a hopeless effort for most teams. He's a mastermind in the pocket, able to frustrate defenses with his precision passing and uncanny split-second decision making. Heck, I remember well the day he lit the Titans up for 59 points back in 2009 (sorry I brought this up). This is a different Titans defense than that one, of course, and it will fight. Titans defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said Brady is capable of picking teams apart if he knows what's coming. So the Titans need to keep Brady guessing with a mix of pressure and coverage. Getting hands up and deflecting balls, which could lead to interceptions, is key.
**
Slowing down Gronk**
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is a tough matchup, there's no doubt about it. He's one of those guys who is nearly impossible to defend because of his size and strength. Gronkowski led all tight ends with 1,084 receiving yards in 2017, and it was the fourth 1,000-yard season of his career. In the past five postseason games he's averaged 86.2 receiving yards per contest, and six interceptions. The Titans need to limit his effectiveness. Kansas City's Travis Kelce was having success last week before he left the game with an injury. The Titans are going to need several guys to keep Gronk in check.
**
Jurrell Casey, Titans D-line**
Titans defensive lineman Jurrell Casey kept a low profile this week. He politely declined interview requests, saying he wanted to focus on the task at hand. The play of the Titans defensive line has a chance to make a big impact on the game. I mentioned batted balls earlier, but if Casey and others can be disruptive from the get-go, it could change the look of New England's offense. If Brady is able to deal without pressure, it could be a long day for the Titans. I'm expecting the Titans to create some havoc, starting with Casey.
TitansOnline.com looks back at the all-time series against the New England Patriots. (Photos: Donn Jones, AP)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Logan Ryan (26) is congratulated after sacking New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) catches a touchdown pass in front of New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, right, during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, and New England Patriots defensive end Geneo Grissom, right, speak at midfield after an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) catches a touchdown pass in front of New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, right, during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota passes against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) catches a touchdown pass in front of New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, right, during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) tackles New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) after a reception during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles against the New England Patriots during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, and Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota speak at midfield after an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
New England Patriots running back James White (28) dives into the end zone for his second touchdown during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, looks for a receiver under pressure from New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers, right, during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Tennessee Titans offense lines up against the New England Patriots defense during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. . (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota celebrates his touchdown pass to Corey Davis as he runs past New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers (98) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots offense lines up against the Tennessee Titans defense during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. . (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, and Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota speak at midfield after an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Tennessee Titans tackle Dennis Kelly (71) blocks New England Patriots defensive end Trey Flowers, right, during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, is sacked for an 11-yard loss by Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey, right, in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, center, is sacked by a group of Tennessee Titans defenders in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) scores a touchdown on a 10-yard run ahead of New England Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty, right, in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) congratulates Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) after an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 34-10. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) catches a 23-yard touchdown pass as he is defended by New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (81) catches a 4-yard touchdown pass against the New England Patriots in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel greets New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) before an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes against the New England Patriots in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) hangs onto New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
New England Patriots center David Andrews (60) prepares to snap the ball against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, left, greets New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick before an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
