New England Patriots

Morning sports update: Mike Vrabel said the Titans are going into the ‘viper’s den’ to play the Patriots

"I haven't had a paycheck with a Patriots logo on it since 2008."

Mike Vrabel talks about the Titans facing the Patriots in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs. AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith

By Hayden Bird

3 minutes to read

The Patriots were stunned by the Dolphins on Sunday at Gillette Stadium, losing 27-24. It tied for the biggest upset in the last 20 NFL seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

As a result, New England will have to play the Tennessee Titans in the wild card round of playoff games next weekend. The Patriots host the Titans on Saturday night at 8:15 p.m.

Elsewhere, the Bruins beat the Sabres 3-2 thanks to Jake DeBrusk scoring two goals in 18 seconds.

The Bruins play again tomorrow in New Jersey against the Devils at 1 p.m.

The Celtics also play tomorrow in Charlotte against the Hornets at 3 p.m.

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And in international news, Liverpool won yet again on Sunday (1-0 against Wolves) to move 13 points ahead in the Premier League with a game in hand. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola all but conceded the title to his rivals, noting that it’s “unrealistic” to think about a comeback.

Mike Vrabel talked about the “viper’s den” of returning to New England: Titans coach Mike Vrabel is no stranger to playoff games in New England. The 44-year-old, now in his second season in Tennessee, helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls during his eight seasons playing for Bill Belichick.

Now, Vrabel gets a chance to go toe-to-toe with his former coach.

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“Everything gets harder from here on out,” said Vrabel. “We’re going to have to go on the road in a tough environment. [The Patriots] are no strangers to winning playoff football games at home.”

The 44-year-old is aware of the difficulty of winning on the road, especially when that road goes through Gillette Stadium.

“I know what is ahead,” Vrabel explained. “We are basically walking into the viper’s den. We are going to have to go on the road and beat a team that’s won a lot of playoff games up there.”

Vrabel is approaching his task without any sentimental feelings for his old team.

“I haven’t had a paycheck with a Patriots logo on it since 2008,” said Vrabel. “So again [it’s] no different than going and coaching against them with the Texans or coaching against them last year. It’s a huge challenge to go up there and try to win.”

Trivia: The last time the Patriots played in a wild-card game (the 2009 season), New England lost to Baltimore despite Joe Flacco completing just four passes. The Ravens’ quarterback also threw an interception that day. Which Patriots player made the interception?

(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: He was a seventh-round pick by the Patriots in 2003, and led the team in sacks in 2009 with 10.

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On this day: In 1981, Wayne Gretzky scored five goals in a 7-5 win over the Flyers to give him 50 goals in just 39 games. The performance was Gretzky’s fifth game of the season with at least four goals, and gave him nine goals in a two-game span.

As one announcer described it, “He’s got 50 goals before anyone else has 30.”

Daily highlight: Seven-foot center Nikola Jokić pulled off a double behind-the-back.

Trivia answer: Tully Banta-Cain

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