What experts are predicting for Sunday’s Patriots-Titans game
The Patriots are underdogs for Sunday's game against the one-win Titans as Drake Maye's status is uncertain.
COMMENTARY
Until we find out what happens in two weeks when the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills finally face off for AFC supremacy, the conference is sort of a jumbled mess. But, what else is new?
Despite their 7-0 record, the Chiefs seem prime for the picking with injuries (finally, maybe?) catching up to them over the second half of the season. The New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, and Jacksonville Jaguars were all supposed to be good. They stink (a combined 8-17). The Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers were predicted to be good enough to challenge for a wild card spot, not find themselves in the discussion of the No. 1 seed and a playoff bye.
With a win Sunday over the Tennessee Titans, the New England Patriots will be in a tie for second place in the AFC East with the aforementioned Jets. According to the NFL playoff predictor, there is a four percent chance for a 3-6 Patriots team to still make the playoffs. With a loss, the odds will drop below one percent.
Somehow, the Jets are at a 29 percent playoff capability with their comeback win over the Houston Texans on Thursday night. So, if the Patriots manage to tie the Jets at 3-6, one of the teams they beat to get to that mark will have 25 percent more of a chance to make the postseason.
Neither team is making it, of course. But would you rather watch what might turn out to be a scrappy bad team or the Jets? Ever?
This week’s predictions:
Globe staff: Five of six take the Pats (+3).
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Titans 21, Patriots 16. “These two both have quarterback injuries to watch. New England rookie Drake Maye suffered a concussion last week, while Will Levis is still bothered by a shoulder issue. The Titans have lost three straight, while the Patriots beat the Jets last week. But look for the Titans to rebound in this one — no matter if it’s Levis or Mason Rudolph.”
CBS Sports staff: Six of eight take the Titans (-3.5).
NFL.com staff: Three of five go with Tennessee.
Jimmy Kempski, PhillyVoice: Titans (-3.5). “Other than draft dorks, who cares?”
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times: Titans 21, Patriots 17. “With the world thinking they’re soft, the Patriots responded to their coach and beat up the Jets. This could come down to the trenches, and the Titans’ defensive line is much better than the Patriots’ offensive line.”
Vic Tafur, The Athletic: Titans (-3.5). “The Lions aren’t only the hottest team in the NFC but also are leaving bruised bodies and egos behind in their wake. Teams are now 0-5 the week after playing Detroit (yes, they have played six games, but the Cowboys had a bye the week after) and the Titans are now coming off a 38-point loss to the Lions. That’s good news for the Patriots, who don’t know yet if rookie QB Drake Maye will be back from a concussion. The Titans are solid against the run, so it will be up to Maye or backup Jacoby Brissett to keep that post-Lions streak intact. We’re going to say the streak falls. Patriots coach Jared Mayo called his team soft two weeks ago, and while his players responded with the win against the Jets, their defense is still very bad. Only people who write columns and have to pick each game should venture a guess on this one, and we’re riding with Mason Rudolph and Tony Pollard.”
Greg Cote, Miami Herald: Titans 19, Patriots 17. “Two bad offenses intersect in Nashville, both with QB issues. Patriots’ Drake Maye is iffy (concussion), but Jacoby Brissett is OK. Titans’ Will Levis remains iffy (shoulder), but backup Mason Rudolph has been an upgrade. New England has clear path to upset if Titans’ plague of turnovers continues. Otherwise, Lean Tenners to snap an 0-3 home skid but Pats to stay inside the bet-line in low-points affair.”
ESPN staff: Seven of 11 go with the Patriots.
MMQB staff: Four out of six pick the Patriots.
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: Patriots 20, Titans 17. “The Patriots are feeling it with their running game and defense, and Jerod Mayo will see another strong performance on the road. Whoever’s at quarterback for either team, New England will run the ball better and also make the clutch defensive plays and takeaways to steal another one against the AFC’s true worst team.”
Bill Bender, The Sporting News: Patriots 21, Titans 20. “The Titans are favored despite being the lone one-win team in the AFC, and they just committed four more turnovers in the blowout loss to Detroit in Week 8. There are only so many shake-ups that can be made. New England might turn back to Jacoby Brissett, who replaced Drake Maye (concussion) in Week 8. Brissett takes too many sacks, but he has thrown just one interception this season. This is a toss-up between bad offenses.”
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Patriots 20, Titans 17.
Chris Simms, Pro Football Talk: Titans 23, Patriots 16.
It says here: Patriots 27, Titans 16. While the Patriots might have shown a sliver of something last weekend in a win over the hapless Jets, they’re going to seem superior much of the afternoon against the dismal Titans.
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