Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - New England Patriots “Monster Keys” to Victory Over Tennessee Titans? Edges, Motion and More

Starting point is 00:00:00 The New England Patriots can make it two in a row on Sunday by getting to the edges and putting some men in motion. Now, this is not an 80s nostalgia show, folks. This is a Pats Titans preview, so stay locked in to the Locked On Patriots podcast. You are Locked On Patriots, daily new england patriots podcast part of the locked on podcast network your team every day hello to all of you foxborough faithful and thank you once again for making locked on patriots a daily part of your new england patriots coverage i'm your host mike debate i cover your new england patriots for Patriots Country so reach out to me let me

Starting point is 00:00:45 know what's on your mind on X at MDABATE NFL you can also find Locked On Patriots on X at LO underscore Patriots and Pats fans today's episode is brought to you by GameTime download the GameTime app create an account and use the code

Starting point is 00:01:01 LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase and Foxborough faithful weCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. And Foxborough faithful, we have an action-packed show for you today. Your New England Patriots snapped a six-game losing streak with a fourth-quarter touchdown by Ramondre Stephenson. He looked fantastic last week against the New York Jets with a 25-22 victory at Gillette Stadium. This week, Patriots are looking to make it two in a row when they begin a two-game road trip with first up a visit to Nashville to face the Tennessee Titans, a 1 p.m. kickoff from Nissan Stadium.

Starting point is 00:01:34 And as we always say here on Locked On Patriots, keys to victory are only good if they're turned. You turn the keys, you go to the top. You don't turn the keys, you're never heard from again. Fortunately for us, this week, as we do each and every week, we have the man with the plan. He is the creator of the Monster Keys to Victory and the

Starting point is 00:01:54 veritable Don of Locked On Patriots. My good friend, the legendary Thomas Murphy, thank you for coming to me in friendship today and for bringing those Monster Keys, Don Murphy. Oh, happy to be here, Michael. Happy to be here. Just hope to help the ball club.

Starting point is 00:02:08 Well, you do help the ball club. You definitely helped them to victory last week, providing those monster keys, the New England Patriots turning those to a victory over the Jets. Now, the Patriots looking to make this two in a row, and people are looking at the record of Tennessee. They're looking at the struggles of Tennessee. And I think a lot of patriots fans are looking at this one as being almost a foregone conclusion big mistake folks this is not going to be a cakewalk and if you read murph's monster keys which are proudly available on diehardbostonsportspans.com check those out right

Starting point is 00:02:39 now in written form before kickoff always a must read And this week they are absolutely imperative to understanding the Patriots game plan. Let's start there. Murph, we'll start on the offensive side of the ball. You're a big proponent of the New England Patriots getting to the edges in this game and using motion in terms of being able to get to this Titans defense. Not a lot of bright spots for Tennessee this year, but this defense is one of them. When you laid out these monster keys to victory against Tennessee, what is it about using the edge and using motion that leads you to believe this is the way to beat this Titans team? Well, starting out with more likely than not, Jacoby is going to be under center.

Starting point is 00:03:19 I know that we've had some good reports out of camp today that, you know, the Drake is moving in the right direction, and we like that. But I'm almost positive. I'm almost certain. You know, I'm certainly almost positive that it's going to end up being Jacoby under center, and you're going to need to set up the pass with the run this week. You do not want to attack this Titans defense up the middle.

Starting point is 00:03:46 With Trevanda Sweat, Sebastian Joseph Day, and Jeff Simmons there up front, this is not a defense that you want to attack up the middle. I've said more often than not this season that the Patriots want to go up the gut and attack people getting downhill with that running game. This is not the week. Get to the outside, get to the edges, and then turn up field. Yeah. If Jacoby Brissett is indeed going to be the starter, and once again, folks, we don't know that for sure.

Starting point is 00:04:19 Drake is going through the concussion protocol right now. Gerard Mayo, like you said, Murph, confirming on Friday, he's still in protocol. Now, there is a possibility he could be cleared. And if he's cleared, Gerard made it clear he's going to be in there. But if he's not, and if he's not cleared in time, then we're looking at Jacoby. And then all of a sudden, you might be looking at the Tennessee Titans trying to roll back the clock a little bit here, Murph. Because what was the blueprint to beat the Patriots when Jacoby was the quarterback? Stack the box, use the blitz strategically, play man coverage, use the single high safeties, force Jacoby to hold the ball,

Starting point is 00:04:53 and make the Patriots pass catchers beat you. Now, Tennessee implores a little bit of a sneaky type blitz. They're called creepers, folks. And just to give you an example of what that means, what that means is that Tennessee is going to send more of their regular coverage players to blitz and they're going to drop more of their traditional pass rushers into coverage so in that regard what jacoby is going to have to do is find the edges and that's exactly why murph is saying utilize the edge at this point to be able to beat this team and i think it's a brilliant plan you also mentioned motion motion motion in your monster keys and obviously that's is saying utilize the edge at this point to be able to beat this team and i think it's a brilliant plan you also mentioned motion motion motion in your monster keys and obviously that's going to

Starting point is 00:05:30 be key the patriots are going to want to utilize the run game again not going to be easy you've laid that out the titans right now rank 12th in total run defense uh they're stingy and that front can get after it how can the patriots counteract that can they neutralize it and i guess the biggest question is right now in your opinion can they beat it yeah i think they can beat it um uh also when we were talking about getting the edges this is the week for jet sweeps i want to see a couple of jet sweeps get the slim reaper involved please get somebody quick involved. But no, with motion, it's going to give Jacoby a sense of where the hot read is, what defense they're in. Get these guys moving and get the Titans to show their hand. As Michael said, they like to use creepers.

Starting point is 00:06:21 The antidote to that is motion. Get these guys moving. Get your weapons, your receiving core in a position where they already have a little momentum and they can create some space. I want the Patriots to attack the nickel linebackers that, that the, the, the Titans use so often, they use a lot of nickel in, in Tennessee. And if they can get this,

Starting point is 00:06:54 this aspect of the game going, get me some yak little yards after the catch, you know, exploit the, the second level and possibly, possibly end up forcing them to bring their safeties up along with the first key that we talked about. Maybe catch them and cover zero and then catch somebody deep down the middle. So glad you said that, especially when it comes to the nickel defense, because a good way to do that is to utilize empty formations. That's going to allow the New England Patriots to be able to attack that area.

Starting point is 00:07:32 It's a lot easier for the quarterback to see the entire field. Most importantly, Murph, see the type of defense that Tennessee is employing on each of their snaps. And at this point, if you're going to try to stay away from Simmons in the running game and you're going to try to prevent that defensive front from being a real solid factor in this there might be an area in the middle of the field where there's a couple of linebackers there that can be exploited so it's a very good strategy for the New England Patriots to be employing and I think you've laid out a good scenario where the Patriots may indeed beat that Murph. Obviously, there's a lot of question marks regarding this pass catching unit for the New England Patriots.

Starting point is 00:08:13 There are some guys that fans believe will step up. I think Demario Douglas may be in better health, may be in a better position to make an impact. We saw Kayshaun Booty be able to do it in the closing moments of Week 8 against the Jets. In your opinion, are there guys right now on this pass catching unit that can help Jacoby Brissett utilize the field and be able to make the passing game as effective as a motion run game on Sunday? Yeah, I'm looking for Kendrick Bourne to have a big game on Sunday. Not a lot of people are talking about Kendrick. He's a year off of this surgery now. they've been slowly ramping him up uh kendrick bourne is is somebody that that owns takes blame onto himself unlike you know so many

Starting point is 00:08:55 wide receivers um in this league over the past you know 10 15 years when he screws up man he owns it all right and he always bounces back with a really good game. I think I hear he's having a really good week of practice, uh, as are a lot of the other guys. Um, but I do believe that, that born is going to be able to, to hit those, those slants this week, hit those digs. And, uh, Jacoby is going to be able to, uh, to possibly get the ball out just a little bit quicker, please. Just a little bit quicker, son. I understand.

Starting point is 00:09:30 I understand that at your age, it might be a little difficult. But, you know, maybe out of shotgun, maybe take a page out of the Drake May playbook and keep that in there, Mr. Van Pelt, and let Jacoby operate out of a pistol. You know, since we want to keep running this stuff anyway. And it's definitely going to happen if we see Drake under center on Sunday. That's no slight to Jacoby Brissett, but Drake gets rid of the ball a bit quicker. He just does. That's just the way it is. But no, I think Kendrick Bourne is going to have a fantastic game. Like I said, if we can get some of the other guys on the same page and holding

Starting point is 00:10:15 onto the ball, we should get a good air game on Sunday afternoon. Yeah, absolutely. And with news that LeJarrius Sneed is not going to be in the lineup on Sunday afternoon. Yeah, absolutely. And with news that Legereus Sneed is not going to be in the lineup on Sunday, he will be out. That may open things up in the secondary for the New England Patriots. And again, you need playmakers in the lineup and Javon Baker, the last I checked Murph, is a playmaker. Yes. Are there developmental issues that still need to be worked through without question but when you need playmakers in your offense especially if you're going to be down a major playmaker that is the key cog in your offense and that's drake may you need guys that are explosive that can give the

Starting point is 00:10:53 patriots something to cheer about you can give the patriots a spark that they can build upon i think jayvon baker is a guy that can do that so bottom line folks let's take a look and see what the new england patriots can do if they can bottom line, folks, let's take a look and see what the New England Patriots can do. If they can get their playmakers going, whether it's Drake or whether it's Jacoby taking snaps and being your quarterback on Sunday, get your playmakers on the field, utilize the edges, get guys in motion, good things could happen on the field in Nashville on Sunday. But Murph, the offense is only part of your blueprint to victory. It's only half of

Starting point is 00:11:26 those monster keys that you carry in your pocket like so many nickels and dimes. We're going to get into defensive keys that need to be turned and what the Patriots need to do to stop Will Levis, potentially Will Levis, and this Titans offense. More on this Patriots-Titans preview episode

Starting point is 00:11:41 of the Locked On Patriots podcast coming up. A proud part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Locked On listeners, we've all been there. You want tickets to the big game on the gridiron. Or maybe you want to check out some early action on the hardwood or on the ice. Or simply be there when your favorite music or comedy act comes to town. Well, Game Time is your best destination to help you make your memories. GameTime is the fastest and easiest method I've ever used to buy tickets.

Starting point is 00:12:14 And GameTime has a new feature called GameTime Picks that makes getting tickets for your favorite live events even easier. GameTime Picks filters out all of the fluff to show you only incredible deals on great seats so you don't have to waste time searching through thousands of tickets. I especially love their zone deals where you pick the section and Game Time picks the seats for big savings. So don't delay, do it today. Take the guesswork out of buying tickets with Game Time. Download the Game Time app, create an account, and use the code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase.

Starting point is 00:12:50 Terms apply, so again, create an account and redeem the code LOCKEDONNFL, that's L-O-C-K-E-D-O-N-N-F-L, for $20 off. Download GameTime today. What time is it? GameTime today. What time is it? GameTime. Locked on listeners, our friends over at 5 Hour Energy know that being a

Starting point is 00:13:11 passionate football fan isn't just a hobby. It's a way of life. It takes a lot of energy to power through all-day tailgates, touchdown celebrations, or an agonizing second overtime, which is why they've created the stand the fan five hour energy shot with a special flavor called fan fuel the energy shot made just

Starting point is 00:13:32 for super fans like you the fans who are first in the parking lot and who are the last to leave we see you because you know what else gave me a bit of patriots fan fuel this week the moment where ramondre stevenson crossed the goal line for the game-winning touchdown and then added the two-point conversion for the icing on the cake. We all love that feeling, and 5-Hour Energy knows that no matter what team you root for, being a

Starting point is 00:13:56 fan requires heart, soul, and a whole lot of energy. Whether you're prepping for the big tailgate or ironing your jersey, your game day to-do list is always a mile long. That's why the limited edition Stand the Fan 5-Hour Energy Shot is here to help keep you fueled throughout the season. What's your fan fuel this week?

Starting point is 00:14:15 Whatever it is, do it with a 5-Hour Energy. Available on 5hourenergy.com. Shift nationwide. Patriots fans, thank you once again for joining us here today on Locked on Patriots, Shift Nationwide. Murph and I both implore you to make your second listen our good friends over at Locked On NFL he joined us here on the airwaves this week I know you loved what he had to say if you want to hear him each and every day check him out on Locked On NFL that's my good friend the host of Locked On Titans the madman himself

Starting point is 00:14:56 Tyler Rowland getting you going each and every day with all of the major stories in the NFL and then in the afternoon another good friend another great host here on the Locked On Podcast Network, Tony Wiggins of Locked On Jaguars, having you sit down in the barbershop, and he's going to tell you the way it is, good, bad, or indifferent. Coverage that can be brought to you only here on the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day.

Starting point is 00:15:19 And joining us here today to lend his wisdom, his counsel, most importantly, his monster keys to victory, our good friend, the legend himself, Thomas Murphy. Murph, we've talked about the New England Patriots' offensive game plan to victory. You've laid out the keys. It's up to the Patriots to turn them on Sunday. However, we both know that offensively is only part of the game plan. The Patriots need to make defensive stops. They need a solid defensive game plan in order to be able to beat Tennessee on Sunday. You've talked about remaining in man coverage. Patriots did a pretty good job of that on Sunday, and it helped stifle

Starting point is 00:15:57 a lot of what that New York Jets offense needed to do. What is it about this Titans offense that makes you believe that utilizing man coverage is the best way to attack it and to stop it? Well, you know, first of all, it's the personnel that the Patriots have. I want Gonzalez sitting there one-on-one with whomever you happen to think is their number one, Mr. Ridley. How you doing? Nice choice you made there, Calvin. But I do believe that this Patriots defensive backfield can lock down these guys. They can take it to them. I don't see, you know, much issue with the tight end packages that they like to run. So, yeah, no, I think man up is the way to go. Stay out of those

Starting point is 00:16:45 two high safety shells. Don't allow Will Levis, who's not a rookie anymore, folks, or Mason Rudolph for that matter, be able to send his men out and find that soft spot in a cover two zone or in a Tampa two zone. Stay out of it. This also allows the Patriots to do what they really need to do on Sunday. And that's shut down the run. Okay. We're able to, to, to shut down the run. The Tennessee is right in middle of the pack in, in rushing attempts per game, but it's still like 27 a game. Okay. I've got to think that they're going to ramp that up this week. The Patriots have not been good against the run before last week. They weren't even great against the run last week.

Starting point is 00:17:31 I don't think they were, they were good. They weren't great. And I allow that extra guy down into the box to fill that gap. I want, I want, once again, I want good gap integrity.

Starting point is 00:17:43 I want the guys to keep good pad level, keep the, keep the play in front of them. Don't get, don't get behind it. And, and they should come out on top. It's going to come down to this, to the defense on Sunday as to whether or not the Patriots are going to win the game. And I think they're going to have to man up to do that. The defense and of course the weekly keys absolutely and we'll get to those weekly keys in just a moment when murph offers his game prediction which i will as well our game predictions worked out pretty well last week murph i'm very happy to say that uh you know we were within an eyelash of predicting a correct final scores but i'm glad

Starting point is 00:18:19 that you mentioned trying to stop the run because the new england patriots need to do that if they're going to they need a similar type of boost that they got last week guys like christian ellis and right one mcmillan for far too long looking better and better he really is a really another solid nine tackle performance last week he's going to need to either duplicate that or eclipse it in order for the patriots to have a chance because again it's been far too far too long this season, Murph, where Devon Godshaw has been a one-man show when it comes to stopping the run. McMillan, I'm glad, showed a little bit of progress in that as well. We're going to need to see that for all four quarters if they're going to hope to contain

Starting point is 00:18:56 Tony Pollard, because we know that if Pollard can get the ball when he's comfortable, he can make things happen. He's a dynamic runner and someone also who can be utilized as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Right. As I was just about to say, again, they love to split him out. They love to get him catching passes out of the backfield. When you're in man and you have that one guy, I don't want to call him a spy. I don't want to say that. I don't want to do that. But you can get that one extra guy down there in the box.

Starting point is 00:19:25 He's going to be there when Pollard splits out. Yeah, absolutely. And again, when you take a look at what Pollard can do and his dual threat capabilities, Murph is absolutely right. By containing this run game, you really significantly lessen what either Will Levis or Mason Rudolph are going to be able to do, and you make them one-dimensional because the Titans really run most of what they do offensively out of 11 personnel right you're going to see three wide receivers yeah most likely you're going to see calvin ridley you're going to see tyler boyd

Starting point is 00:19:53 you're going to see a little yeah exactly they will show a little 12 you'll see some two tight end sets folks you know they do like to mix things up a little bit obviously you're going to look for christian gonzalez to shut down calvin ridley but are you worried about potentially boyd or a conch wall being able to hurt you with the way the patriots secondary is right now um no not really not if not if guys do their job all right not if we're not passing guys off in in uh in zone coverage and you know there's nobody there to pass them off to man up up. There's a lot less mistakes. I don't think that either one of those two is going to end up beating one of our guys outright.

Starting point is 00:20:34 So no, I'm not worried about a big play down the field. Shut down Ridley and make the other guys beat you. Well said. Could not have said it better myself. The Patriots number zero needs to eliminate the titans number zero and if he can do that and limit him i think the patriots have a really good shot and i like the way zero exactly zero eliminating zero i gotta give a tip of the cap to evan lazaro patriots.com perfectly this week on patriots unfiltered i believe he threw

Starting point is 00:21:02 it in one of his columns again this week so i I can't take full credit for that folks, but Evan is one of the best in the business. And I don't think he'd mind if I stole that terminology because it definitely fits here. And it is exactly what the Patriots need to do. You shut down your top weapon. You try to limit and do everything you can and sell out as much defensive prowess to stopping the running game in Tony Pollard. And that's going to limit what Will Levis or Mason Rudolph are going to be able to do at the quarterback position. So once the offensive keys are laid out and the defensive keys are laid out, there are weeklies that every single game that need to be met and in this case need to be turned

Starting point is 00:21:40 in order for the Patriots to achieve victory. We're going to put Murph on the hot seat in just a moment and have him run down whether or not this Titans team is a good fit or a bad fit to win these weekly battles. And we're also going to put him on the hot seat when it comes to predicting the game's final score. And we give our game predictions here in just a moment when this episode of Locked On Patriots wraps up right here on the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Locked On listeners, get ready to tackle NFL action with FanDuel, America's number one sportsbook.

Starting point is 00:22:15 Because right now, new customers can bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets if you win. The FanDuel Sportsbook app gives you everything you need to place live bets on the NFL all in one place. So when you get a hunch in the middle of the game, you can check out the latest stats, view live play-by-play, and so much more on the same page where you place your bets. Let your New England fandom work for you by visiting FanDuel.com to join today. You'll get started with $150 in bonus bets if you win with your first $5 bet. That's

Starting point is 00:22:51 FanDuel.com. Never waste a hunch and make every moment more with FanDuel, an official sportsbook partner of the NFL. Listen up all you locked on listeners, especially all of you renters out there. Ever feel like you're stuck in this loop of rent payments, just watching your money vanish into thin air? Well, it's time to turn that rent game around and start earning some serious rewards. That's where Built Rewards comes in. Built is breaking ground as a neighborhood rewards program

Starting point is 00:23:23 that hooks you up with points on your rent. Every month, you pay your rent and you watch the built points roll in. Use points to jet off on a dream vacation. Put your points toward a flight or hotel stay with 500 plus airlines and more than 700,000 hotels and properties. You can also use your points to book fitness studio classes. Redeem them toward a future rent payment. They're designated to meet your lifestyle. Pay rent hassle-free through the Built Rewards app. Your rent game just got a major upgrade. Built points have been consistently ranked

Starting point is 00:23:57 the highest value point currency by the points guy and bank rate. So don't delay, do it today. Earn points by paying rent right now when you go to joinbuilt.com slash locked on NFL. That's J-O-I-N-B-I-L-T dot com slash locked on NFL. Make sure to use our URL so they know we sent you. Joinbuilt.com slash locked on NFL to start earning points with your rent payments today. Patriots fans, once again, we thank you for joining us here today on this new England Patriots, Tennessee Titans game preview episode of locked on Patriots, getting you ready for

Starting point is 00:24:37 a 1 PM kickoff this Sunday, November 3rd, Nissan stadium, Nashville, Tennessee. Murph earlier this week, Tyler Rowland of Locked On Titans joined me here, and we talked a little bit about this matchup, and it's not going to get the national attention that most of the other matchups are going to get. I think it's a foregone conclusion that both of these teams are probably on the outside looking in when it comes to playoff picture, but this one has the chance to be a sneaky, good matchup, maybe a sneaky, fun matchup to watch between two teams that have similar problems that if they get hot, could be fun to watch. So I leave it to you, my friend.

Starting point is 00:25:13 You laid out, I think, an impeccable blueprint for the Patriots to be able to win this game offensively and defensively. But you know as well as I, it always comes down to the weeklies, the intangibles that need to be met each and every week for this team to achieve victory. When you look at the Tennessee Titans and you look at what the Patriots need to do well in order to win, are the Patriots in a position to turn these weekly keys? And are the Tennessee Titans a good fit or a bad fit when it comes to opponents to do so?

Starting point is 00:25:42 Yeah, they're a good fit for the Patriots this week. You know, when the turnover battle is always one of my weekly keys, the Titans are turning the ball over more than anyone in the NFL, 2.3 turnovers per game right now. All right. So that's somewhere where the Patriots can make hay. As we said at the beginning of the broadcast of this show, that the Titans' record is a bit misleading, and a lot of that has to do with the turnovers. Mike's guest went over that yesterday quite well. He was just talking about it, giving up short fields.

Starting point is 00:26:20 If the Patriots can get a couple of short fields, a couple of extra goes with the football, all the better for what they need to do on Sunday. I think the Pats are going to need to be plus two in this area. Limit the laundry. You think the Pats have penalty issues? The Titans are even worse. 13 false starts this season, 10 defensive holding calls, and these numbers don't even out. Take the free yards they give up and don't hand them back, all right? Own third down. Again, this is a must-turn key. The Titans are 30th in the league at converting, okay? 30th. Let's keep it that way. And, of course, flip the field. Now, this happens in several different ways,

Starting point is 00:27:08 and the Patriots over the past few weeks have been really good at one aspect of this and really bad at the other. Please, once again, do not kick the ball down the middle of the field. Don't do it. And let's get some – let's really turn it on this week in the punt game, shall we? You know, Joey Sly has done a fantastic job. And the Patriots have one of the best punt returners in the game, as we saw Mr. Jones last week. Yes, the honorable Mr. Jones.

Starting point is 00:27:38 That's another way to flip the field, folks. It's not just on the leg of Joey Sly. Absolutely, folks. folks it's not just on the on the leg of Joey Sly absolutely folks and once again I think Murph has laid out a tremendous set of weekly keys that need to be turned and this is a good matchup for the New England Patriots to be able to utilize their strengths and really kind of take advantage of the Tennessee Titans weaknesses now in an area where maybe a Titan strength could become a Patriots weakness if it's not addressed consistently throughout this game, and I'm going to add a weekly key to your ring this week, if you don't mind, my friend, and this might be Mike's matchup of the week, but limit the pressure. drake may is taking snaps at quarterback or whether or not it's jacoby brissett maybe even a little bit more if it's jacoby brissett because drake has the tendency to be able to roll out and limit the pressure on his own with his athleticism but the matchup that kind of worries me a little

Starting point is 00:28:34 bit and i've seen this talked about a lot throughout patriot circles is entre jacobs going up against harold landry and i think this could be a problem for the New England Patriots. And the reason why is because Landry is so good off that first step. One of the best first steps in the NFL right now, in my opinion. And he's also very good at when he can turn that wide corner and come around the corner and get to the quarterback. Trey Jacobs has been good. He's given the Patriots, I think, everything he can. So it's not like this is a mismatch on paper or this is a scary matchup inherently in and of itself but the one thing that Trey has a difficulty with is being able to block when he has more than a short corner to defend right that corner becomes elongated which is what Landry loves to do I'm worried about his

Starting point is 00:29:22 ability to shuffle and keep him in front of him this could be a long day if you're seeing harold landry turn the corner on a lot of different assignments that's where it becomes problematic here so the patriots have to be mindful of that and they have to limit that pressure that's it yeah if they do it i think they got a very good shot to keep this game in front of them for the better part of four quarters if they don't he's very he's very high tower s coming off the handle there. Very great comparison. I love that. If you guys can remember how Bill would move Hightower out even further than most human beings could do,

Starting point is 00:29:57 and he still gets to the quarterback. He's very Dante Hightower-esque. Think about Hightower's stop in the Super Bowl. And Murph, we're at that point. The time for the talk is just about over. The New England Patriots enter this matchup, per our good friends, courtesy of the FanDuel Sportsbook, three and a half point underdogs. This is as of Friday afternoon. So when you look at this matchup, top to bottom, I know it's a winnable matchup for the Patriots. It's a winnable matchup for the Titans, but based on your monster keys, based on your confidence that the Patriots can turn the monster keys to success, how do you see this one shaking out in Music City this weekend?

Starting point is 00:30:34 I see a Patriots victory. It doesn't matter to me who is under center. The Tennessee Titans are averaging 17.1 points a game this season. The Patriots are on the upswing, averaging 20.7 points per game over the last three, 25 in their last game. When you look at the way these two teams match up, there are a lot of positives for the Tennessee Titans defensively to be able to at least marginally disrupt what the Pats would like to do offensively, which is get the outside zone run going and utilize Ramondre Stevenson and open up things in the passing game that way. That could be a scary point for the New England Patriots. As for keeping the quarterback upright, we talked a little bit about that. Those matchups could be problematic.

Starting point is 00:31:20 Take a look at Landry. Landry, again, someone that is going to continue to give me a little bit of pause to be very overconfident about the Patriots, especially as four sacks, 14 quarterback pressures. That leads the team in both categories when it comes to Landry for the Titans. But I don't know. I'm looking at the Patriots' defense and their ability to contain what Tennessee does well and being able to contain Pollard and lock down those pass catchers and being able to severely limit what Calvin Ridley would like to do. I think Christian Gonzalez is a great fit to limit what he can do. I like the Patriots in this one, and I like the Patriots to be able to utilize short fields, hopefully turning one of Murph's weekly keys and being able to shorten the field for themselves. I think they can put some points on the board here. So I'm going with the New England Patriots by a final score of 24 to 17 over the tennessee titans and moving to three and six on the season heading into this next road matchup with a team that starts with a c

Starting point is 00:32:16 ends in an o and has a cag in the middle uh could be a fun one to watch when you're talking about rookie quarterbacks drake may and caleb williams but don't overlook this one this could be a fun one to watch when you're talking about rookie quarterbacks drake may and caleb williams but don't overlook this one this could be a sneaky fun one to watch so enjoy this game on sunday of course folks we always love to hear what you have to think your game predictions if you're watching us on youtube drop a comment in the comment section below if you're listening to us on any one of the various platforms that you do be sure to drop one of us a line at mdabatenfl on x you can reach out to my good friend on twitter as well at teamwork 207 or you can tag the lockdown patriots account at lo underscore patriots but what can i say i always appreciate when you drop by lend your wisdom and counsel we started the week by talking about turned monster keys to victory and you once

Starting point is 00:33:03 again laid out an impeccable blueprint for the patriots to do it all again folks definitely check out anything thomas murphy does when it comes to pen to paper voice to microphone always appointment listening appointment reading so check that out on diehardbostonsportsfans.com once again it is always an honor and always a privilege to share the microphone with murph and you know we're going to do it again early next week. So be sure to check us out on Monday where it'll either be a second straight victory Monday or potentially a melancholy Monday here getting you ready for a matchup with the Chicago Bears in Week 10. But that being said, I'm Mike DeBate.

Starting point is 00:33:38 And on behalf of my good friend Thomas Murphy, we all encourage you to stay safe, to stay well, to be the change you wish to see in the world. Have a great weekend, everyone. Enjoy the game on Sunday. We'll see you back here again on Monday on Locked on Patriots.

Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - New England Patriots “Monster Keys” to Victory Over Tennessee Titans? Edges, Motion and More

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.