The Patriots visit the Titans and the plan is simple in this game. Run the ball, protect Maye and stop the run. 

Here are ways the Patriots could attack the Titans on offense and defense. 

Offense

1. Play-action passes: The Tennessee secondary is the best in the NFL statistically, so the Patriots will have their hands. Establishing the run early and using play-action passes to throw off the reads of the secondary will be key. The Patriots will need to execute high percentage throws. 

2. Bootlegs: The Patriots need to get Drake Maye away from the Titans pass rush. One of the best ways to do it is to move the pocket for him. Bootlegs are a great way to expand the pocket and allow Maye to use his athleticism. Get him away from pressure and layer routes for him to make the reads easy. 

3. H-Screens: The Patriots will need to slow down Harold Landry and Tennessee’s edge rushers. A good way to do it, especially on early downs is H-screens to the running back. He gets a piece of them, chips and releases. The Patriots could also utilize perimeter screens off of play-action as well.

4. Run off-tackle and outside: The Titans are good inside with T’Vondre Sweat and Jeffery Simmons. The Patriots need to run outside zone, pin and pull and toss plays to get outside in the run game and slow down their pass rushers. If the Patriots do run inside, look for more man gap blocking scheme where they can get an angle. 

Defense

1. Play man or match up zone: The Titans passing game is 31st in the NFL. They have struggled to throw the ball this season. The Patriots can play more man coverage and match up zone today and bring pressure. They simply cannot consistent get to opposing quarterbacks with their base pass rush.

2. Get 8 and 9 in the box: Tennessee’s running game has been good so look for the Patriots to drop their safeties into the box in either eight man or nine man boxes out of a Cover 2 shell. Supporting the front seven against the run will be key in this game.

3. Play more single high coverage: Look for the Patriots to roll into a lot of single high coverage looks and play a lot of man free and Cover 3. As previously mentioned. They need to play more eight and nine man boxes today. Look for a lot of rotation and robber coverages as they try to disguise and support the run.

4. Bring 5 and 6 every down: The Patriots need to be aggressive in this game. Bring run and pass pressure. They must bring five or six defenders on at least 80% of their defensive snaps. Flog gaps to slow down their run game and get pressure on Mason Rudolph.