NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans face the New England Patriots on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at six things to watch:
Mariota Magic?
Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota is coming off an impressive performance against the Cowboys. He threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns in that contest, and ran for another score. All indications are he's as healthy as he's been since Week One, and the fact he shed the glove on his throwing hand last week offers proof. The Titans need Mariota to stay hot against the Patriots. While his last performance Nissan Stadium was a dud vs Baltimore (sorry I brought this up), the good news is he's thrown for 275 yards-plus in two of his last four home contests.
Dynamic Dion
When the Titans faced the Patriots in the playoffs last year, running back Dion Lewis made life miserable for them, racking up 141 yards from scrimmage. Well, Lewis is now with the Titans, and put some butter on him -- he enters this Sunday's game on a roll. Lewis had 122 scrimmage yards last week (62 rush, 60 receiving) and he has 444 scrimmage yards (111 per game) and five touchdowns in his past five vs the AFC East. He'd love to stick it to his former team on Sunday.
Contain Brady
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is a future Hall of Famer who has terrorized defenses for years. The 13-time Pro Bowler has been a real thorn in the side of the Titans. Case in point: Brady has 10 TD passes and 0 INTs for a 134.7 rating in his last three meetings with the Titans. Of course a lot of the faces have changed, even since last year. Enter Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees, who leads the NFL's No.1 ranked scoring defense. The Titans won't be able to shut Brady down. What they need to do is limit effectiveness. Getting some pressure on him would help.
Malcolm Butler
OK, I'm not picking on Butler for mentioning him here. Yes, he's struggled this season, and he's the first guy to admit it. I can't help but think the Patriots – and Brady – will come after him on Sunday to test him, no matter who he is covering. The Patriots have some talented wide outs, from Julian Edelman to Josh Gordon. Tight end Rob Gronkowski is on the injury report, so questions still surround him. No matter what Gronk's status ends up being, expect some action on Butler's side of the field from the receivers. How will Butler handle it?
Still a Problem
Some of the Titans probably still have nightmares about trying to coral Lewis in last year's playoffs. And while Lewis is no longer on the other team, the Patriots have a running back in James White who has been – and will be --- heavily involved. White leads the Patriots with 61 catches for 531 yards, and he's scored six touchdowns. He has 235 yards and four scores running the ball. So the Titans are going to have to deal with dangerous back, and this time around they'll need to do a better job of limiting his effectiveness.
Familiar Faces
All the connections are really off the charts: Titans guard Josh Kline, cornerbacks Logan Ryan and Butler, and Lewis all formerly played for the Patriots. Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty and offensive lineman Brian Schwenke used to play for the Titans. Titans coach Mike Vrabel played under Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, Pees is a former Patriots DC, and Titans GM Jon Robinson spent 12 years with the Patriots, including his last five years (2009-13) as the director of college scouting. If you think this game doesn't mean something extra to these guys, think again. It will be interesting to see who rises up on reunion day.
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)
