Where Mayhem Meets Momentum in Week Seven
The New England Patriots are riding into their Week Seven matchup with both identity and momentum, while the Tennessee Titans are desperately grasping for either. At 4-2, the Patriots have rediscovered much of their edge and discipline. While they have a lot of work to do to rebuild their dynasty status, they now have a well-rounded team that is capable of dictating the game on both sides of the ball. The Titans, however, have fallen 1-5 in their 2025 campaign and are now reeling from a midseason coaching change. Sunday’s matchup in Nashville will not just be a test of talent, but it will also expose the stability, development, and storylines within each team.
For New England, a significant element of the game will fall in the trenches. The Patriots have a disruptive pass-rush, led by Harold Landry III, Milton Williams, and K’Lavon Chaisson. Landry did not participate in practice this week and remains questionable to face his former team for the first time. Despite his possible absence, the Titans are leading the NFL with 25 sacks allowed, and with dominant defenders putting pressure on Cam Ward, expect the Patriots to tack a few more to that total. The Titans' veteran running back, Tony Pollard, leads the team in rushing yards this season with 362 yards on 92 carries. His experience could be a test for the Patriots' fourth-ranked run defense—currently the only team in the NFL that has yet to allow a 50-yard rusher through six games. The Titans' offense has struggled to establish rhythm, and the Patriots' defensive strengths on the ground could certainly tilt the game in their favor.
Tennessee’s rookie quarterback, Cam Ward, was the number one overall pick this spring, and though he has had flashes of potential, he has not done very well under pressure. He has thrown an interception in each of his last four games and has yet to average over seven yards per pass attempt. His offensive line hasn’t done him any favors, and last week, he surrendered 62 yards to the Raiders over six sacks. Receiver Calvin Ridley is leading the Titans with 290 yards, but is questionable heading into the weekend, which leaves tight end Chig Okonkwo and rookie WR Elic Ayomanor as Wards' primary targets. This is not an ideal situation for the Titans, who are playing a Patriots defense that allows an average of less than 20 points per game, despite their lapses in passing coverage.
On the other hand, Drake Maye, the Patriots' second-year quarterback, has brought energy, poise, and a pocket awareness that has put New England back in the playoff conversation. He has steadily improved each week, which was capped off last week with a 261-yard, three-touchdown outing against the Saints. He has thrown five consecutive games with a passer rating above 100, has completed just over 73% of his passes for 1,522 yards this season, and has put 138 rushing yards over 36 carries on his stat sheet. As for his receivers, Stefon Diggs leads the team in yards, but Kayshon Boutte is perhaps one of the most reliable weapons, with two touchdowns and 93 yards last week. Veteran Hunter Henry, who has 277 yards and three touchdowns this season, will be the tight end to watch this week.
To complement Maye’s stellar 2025 performance, the Patriots will also have the opportunity to reignite their run game this week against the Titans. New England has been struggling to find their footing on the ground, but Tennessee has allowed 11 rushing touchdowns this season—the most of any team in the NFL thus far. If TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson can find rhythm early —and hang onto the ball—this Sunday could offer the perfect opportunity to diversify their assets. Not only will they be able to gain yards on the ground, but more play-action opportunities will open up, keeping the Patriots' offense more balanced.
Defensively, the Titans have one major playmaker to watch this game: Jeffery Simmons. He remains a dominant force up front with 23 pressures and 4.5 sacks on the season. One of the game's most critical matchups will be how Patriots right guard Mike Onwenu and center Garrett Bradbury can fare against Simmons. Still, his performance alone may not be enough to make up for the inefficient offense of the Titans. Tennessee has not scored more than 22 points in a game this season, and that number stands as a lone outburst that came off a string of lucky breaks.
This will be the Patriots' third consecutive game on the road, and it will be Mike Vrabel’s first time returning to Nashville since being dismissed by the Titans in 2023. Meanwhile, the Titans will be playing under interim coach Mike McVoy after firing Brian Callahan after the team’s fifth loss last week. On top of all that, the Titans have dedicated this Sunday to be their “Crucial Catch” game—a cause that raises awareness for early cancer detection and risk reduction. After all the behind-the-scenes storylines have been told and the potential playmakers have been revealed, the difference between these two teams is that one is building momentum, while the other still hasn’t found direction. This Sunday, all bets should be on the Patriots. With the Titans in disarray and Drake Maye continuing a steady rise with the franchise, New England is likely to walk away with their third consecutive win on the road.
