–G Shaq Mason: Ted Karras played respectably Sunday night in place of Mason, but it would be nice if Mason returned against the Titans. Mason is probably the Patriots’ best interior offensive lineman and is a strong force in the running game. The Patriots rewarded Mason with a big contract in training camp.
–DT Malcom Brown was considered to be a disappointment to the point that the Patriots did not pick up the fifth-year option on their 2015 first-round pick. Brown played 47.3 percent of the snaps Sunday night and has shown himself to be a strong run player. Adam Butler, who said he is often the sacrificial lamb on third-down plays because teams will double-block Butler, complements Brown well.
–WR Cordarrelle Patterson showed that he can run the ball Sunday night with 11 carries for 61 yards, but the Patriots don’t want Patterson to be the long-term answer at running back. The Patriots hope that rookie RB Sony Michel, who has missed the past two games, can return. The Patriots could give him the game off and make sure he is fully healthy after the bye week.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: WR Julian Edelman has shown little signs of rust in the last five games after not playing for about 20 months and has rescued the Patriots offense along with Josh Gordon. Edelman has 31 catches and teams have struggled to stop him since his return.
GAME PLAN: Offensively, the Patriots face a strong defense that is aggressive. The Titans have Will Compton and Wesley Woodyard at inside linebacker with Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan at outside linebacker. Malcolm Butler has struggled this season so look for the Patriots to attack him. Also, the Patriots receivers should be able to get open against Logan Ryan.
Defensively, the Patriots must stop the read option given the scrambling ability of Marcus Mariota. Mariota has the ability to hold onto the ball and make a play at the last minute. The Patriots must also stop the running attack of Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis. The Patriots are familiar with Lewis, who is an elusive rusher given that he played three seasons in Foxborough. The two running backs have both been ineffective this season – averaging under four yards per carry. The Titans also lost one of their best players early in the season to injury in tight end Delanie Walker and the offense has not completely recovered.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Titans LT Taylor Lewan vs. Patriots DE Trey Flowers. The Titans are strong at left tackle with Lewan and Flowers matched up against each other.
–Patriots WR Josh Gordon vs. Patriots CB Logan Ryan. Gordon could have a big day against the undersized Ryan – especially given that Gordon has two 100-yard games in the last three games against the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears.
