Players to Watch: Patriots at Titans

Sony Michel, RB – According to ESPN, the rookie running back will return to action against Tennessee after missing two-plus games to a knee injury. Michel will hopefully work his way back into action against a middle-of-the-pack Titans run defense, looking to get back to the roll he was on prior to the injury.

Trey Flowers, DE – New England’s best edge player is coming of his best two games of the season with dominant performances against the Bills and Packers. The Patriots will again likely try to employ a controlled pass rush to keep Marcus Mariota in check and the budding Flowers will key the front’s efforts.

Josh Gordon, WR – The Patriots passing attack continues to evolve with Gordon having topped 100 yards in two of the last three games, notching a 55-yard reception in each. The outside target is Tom Brady’s big-play threat heading into a matchup with a Tennessee defense that’s pretty stingy allowing big plays.

Kyle Van Noy, LB – Quietly, Van Noy has become one of the Patriots most versatile, reliable defenders. Those skills will be counted on against Dion Lewis and a Titans offense that has a college-like feel with a variety of run and pass looks.

Tom Brady, QB – Even with the Patriots streaking to a 7-2 record and ranking No. 4 in the NFL in points per game, Brady hasn’t necessarily been at his productive best. He notched a career-long streak of seven incomplete passes against the Packers and has just one touchdown pass in the last two weeks as he heads into this battle with the NFL’s No. 1 scoring defense.

Malcolm Butler, CB – The former Patriots cornerback and Super Bowl hero would be a big story no matter what this week, but things are even more notable given his immense struggles in his first season in Tennessee. Butler continues to have issues with double-moves in man coverage and it’s hard to imagine his former team won’t try to target that ongoing weakness.

Marcus Mariota, QB – The former No. 2 overall pick hasn’t exactly developed into a franchise QB. Mariota has dealt with injury and ineffectiveness at times this season, having thrown a mere five touchdown passes for what is the NFL’s 30th passing attack. Still, he’s an athlete who can make plays with his feet.

Jurrell Casey, DT – Defensive tackles don’t always get a lot of attention, but the veteran Casey will get plenty of respect from the Patriots this week. He ranks second on Tennessee with 3.5 sacks and is coming off a game in Dallas in which he was credited with eight QB pressures from the interior.

Dion Lewis, RB – New England is quite familiar with Lewis’ versatility and playmaking potential. He’s taken over a bigger role over the course of his first season in Tennessee as both a rusher and receiver. He ranks second on the Titans with 33 catches and leads the team with 339 rushing yards, even though he’s averaging a paltry 3.7 yards a carry. Lewis remains dangerous.

Kevin Byard, S – The young All-Pro safety has two interceptions this season after leading the NFL with eight picks a year ago. Byard paces a pass defense that doesn’t allow a lot of big plays and is a big part of why Tennessee leads the NFL in both points allowed and red zone defense.