Experts share their picks for the Patriots Week 7 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
Mike Reiss, ESPN:
Pick: Patriots 30, Titans 17
Since the 1967 AFL-NFL merger, the Patriots have never won three regular-season road games in succession, so this gives them a chance to rewrite franchise history. Offensive linemen have focused on finishing blocks longer to help get the running game going.
Stephania Bell, ESPN: Patriots
Matt Bowen, ESPN: Patriots
Mike Clay, ESPN: Patriots
Chris Fowler, ESPN: Patriots
Dan Graziano, ESPN: Patriots
Kalyn Kahler, ESPN: Patriots
Pamela Maldonado, ESPN: Patriots
Eric Moody, ESPN: Patriots
Jason Reid, ESPN: Patriots
Lindsey Thiry, ESPN: Patriots
Seth Wickersham, ESPN: Patriots
NFL.com
Ali Bhanpuri, NFL.com: Patriots 27, Titans 14
Brooke Cersosimo, NFL.com: Patriots 23, Titans 21
Dan Parr, NFL.com: Patriots 25, Titans 16
Gennaro Filice, NFL.com: Patriots 28, Titans 17
Tom Blair, NFL.com: Patriots 27, Titans 17
Why Ali picked the Patriots: "Is it interesting or important?" That's how Patriots coach Mike Vrabel categorized his upcoming meeting with his former team -- the one that fired him less than two years ago after a six-season stretch that included three playoff berths, an AFC title game appearance and the 2021 Coach of the Year award. I'd argue this weekend's matchup is both interesting and important. How the reeling Titans and their 32nd-ranked offense respond in the wake of Brian Callahan’s firing will be fascinating to see unfold. How the AFC East-leading Patriots perform against an opponent they outmatch in most meaningful metrics could be extremely consequential to the AFC playoff race. Vrabel-run teams take pride in being fundamentally sound (Hey, no fumbles lost last week!) and physically punishing. Regardless of what Vrabel says publicly, I suspect the coach -- who, in six weeks, has already amassed as many wins in New England as Tennessee has totaled since his departure -- would very much like to punish his old employer. If his players follow his lead, it could be a long afternoon for Mike McCoy and Co. Speaking of Mike McMcoy … For those of you wondering about the potential for an interim-coach bump, well, turns out that's not really a thing. Since 2000, interim coaches are 6-17 when facing a team with a winning record in their first game in charge, losing on average by more than a touchdown. You can thank NFL Senior Researcher Dante Koplowitz-Fleming for that juicy nugget.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports:
Pick: Patriots 23, Titans 19
Former Titans coach Mike Vrabel takes his Patriots team to Nashville to play his old team. The Titans are reeling having fired coach Brian Callahan this week. They aren't playing well, but New England is for sure. But this is a third straight road game for the Patriots. That's tough. Titans will hang around as they get the interim-coach bump.
Cody Benjamin, CBS Sports: Patriots
Jared Dubin, CBS Sports: Patriots
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Patriots
John Breech, CBS Sports: Patriots
Tyler Sullivan, CBS Sports: Patriots
Dave Richard, CBS Sports: Partiots
Jamey Eisenburg, CBS Sports: Patriots
Pro Football Talk
Mike Florio: Patriots 37, Titans 17
Chris Simms: Patriots 31, Titans 14
Paul Perillo, Patriots.com:
Pick: Patriots 27, Titans 9
Drake Maye stays hot as Patriots complete a sweep of their three-game road trip.
Mike Dussault, Patriots.com:
Pick: Patriots 27, Titans 6
The Patriots are rolling, and it would take a major mistake-laden regression for them to lose to Tennessee. The "interim coach bump" is a real thing, but with the way Drake Maye is playing, it makes it impossible not to think the Pats will win their fourth straight.
Evan Lazar, Patriots.com:
Pick: Patriots 31, Titans 7
The in-season firing of a head coach goes one of two ways: either the team rallies around the interim coach, or they struggle. With many Patriots players and staffers returning to Tennessee, my guess is the Patriots have more motivation to win than the Titans—the Pats roll in Nashville.
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
