Patriots GameDay: 3 best bets to play big vs Titans in Week 12
NFL Week 12 features a big AFC battle between the New England Patriots and the Tennessee Titans with the No. 1 seed at stake.
The Patriots would need a Baltimore Ravens loss to the Cleveland Browns to secure the No. 1 seed, but even if that doesn’t happen, Bill Belichick and his team would be in great position if they are able to get one against Mike Vrabel and the banged-up Titans.
Although Tennessee comes into the game without some of their big guns the Vrabel factor will make this a tough challenge for the Patriots who are riding a five-game winning streak. With the Titans coming off an embarrassing loss to the Houston Texans, the former Patriots linebacker and current Titans coach will have his team ready to go.
Will the Patriots meet the challenge?
If they do, it will take some big performances on both sides of the ball. Here are 3 best bets to come up big against the Titans in this AFC showdown.
3. Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson a ballhawk in a big game
The Titans will enter this matchup without A.J. Brown and Julio Jones. That of course means J.C. Jackson and the New England Patriots secondary will have to guard against some unknown wide receiver beating them.
Without the threat of Derrick Henry controlling the game on the ground, the Patriots’ front seven must make sure the trio of Adrian Peterson, D’Onta Foreman and Dontrell Hilliard don’t carve out yards on the ground to make life easier for Ryan Tannenhill.
If they can contain the run, Matt Judon and crew should be able to get some pressure on Tannenhill who will struggle to find playmakers to get the ball too, especially if Jackson is locking down the No. 1 target, whoever that shall be.
As a confident player with a competitive edge, Jackson would’ve been up to go against Brown or Jones if either were healthy for this game. On Sunday, he must bring that same energy to the field to limit Tannenhill’s options on obvious passing downs.
That of course could lead to Jackson padding his interception numbers this season. In a big game like this, the stage will be set for the Patriots No. 1 corner to shine, and he will come up with some big plays against a limited Titans’ offense that will take their shots early even without Julio Jones and A.J. Brown.