The New England Patriots got off to another slow start in Week 7 against the Tennessee Titans. But after an early deficit in the first quarter, the Patriots got back on track in the second quarter and didn't look back, as they routed the Titans to a 31-13 victory.
This game marked the fourth consecutive win, and it included a perfect sweep of winning three regular-season road games in a row, which is the first time in franchise history. It’s also the first time since the 2019 team that they’ve won five games in the first seven weeks of the season.
There’s a lot to be pleased with from the Patriots at this point in the season, as they continue to learn about themselves and improve each week. Here are six takeaways from Sunday's win over the Titans.
1. Rhamondre Stevenson Showed He’s a Lead RB
The Patriots continue to show that Rhamondre Stevenson is their starting running back and that they trust him to carry the ball for them, despite all the criticism they might hear. On their first offensive drive, the Patriots called four straight running plays with Stevenson racking up 38 yards with a 14-yard run to the right side being the longest.
Stevenson finished the first half with 73 rushing yards on 10 attempts and went on to finish the game with 88 yards and a touchdown on 18 total carries. Rookie backup TreVeyon Henderson only had one carry for two yards in the first half and finished the game with two total, proving that he isn't ready for the spotlight just yet.
2. Kayshon Boutte Is Patriot' WR1
Kayshon Boutte continues to make deep plays in every game and is showing himself to be a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver for the Patriots. He’s used as a true X receiver and is showing signs of becoming a reliable deep threat option.
The big play in the first half was Boutte catching a 39-yard touchdown pass at the end of the half. It was supposed to be a two-minute offense heading into halftime, but Boutte got behind the defense, and Maye saw it. He finished the game with two receptions for 55 yards and one touchdown, bringing his stat line to 20-356-4.
Needless to say, Maye must continue feeding him the ball at all costs.
3. Patriots Showed Semblance of Running Game
This was the first game of the season for the trio of running backs to rush for 100 yards in a game- this does not include Maye. The Patriots have desperately needed to get it going on the ground, and Sunday was a great step towards that.
It was Stevenson who got a majority of the work with 18 attempts for 88 yards and a touchdown, but it was practice-squad call-up Terrell Jennings who got the next bulk of the work with five attempts for 18 yards.
Rookie second-round pick Henderson only saw two attempts, one in the first half and one in the second half. This isn’t enough of an opportunity for him to get into a rhythm to be productive for the team. It was a little surprising to see Jennings get more running attempts than Henderson; maybe even a little alarming.
It'll be interesting to see how the backfield shakes out in Week 8 and beyond.
4. Defensive Backs Struggle Early
This wasn’t a great showing from the defensive backs in this game, and it started early with a Cam Ward touchdown pass to Titans wideout Chimere Dike that went for 38 yards (h/t @Trombino20).
It was a post-corner route in man coverage with Marcus Jones defending him and a safety over the top with Craig Woodson. However, both Jones and Woodson bit on the double-move, which gave Dike a window to get into the end zone.
There was a play during the opening drive where Elic Ayomaner caught a crossing route for 20 yards. This drive only ended in a field goal, but it was the fifth time in seven games that they’ve allowed points on the opening drive this season.
The position group depth is thin to begin with, but it’s been shorthanded over the last two weeks without starting safety Jaylinn Hawkins or backup cornerback Charles Woods. New England can’t afford to have many mistakes from the backend of their defense.
5. Patriots Believe in Mike Vrabel
This was the first game for head coach Mike Vrabel against his former team since he was fired by the Titans two years ago. Leading up to it, Vrabel said that this game would be “interesting” more than “important” considering all of the context to it. Maye even told reporters after the game about a sacrifice that the veteran HC made earlier in the week.
"(Vrabel) downplayed it all week, which we appreciate," Maye admitted, per 98.5 The Sports Hub's Alex Barth. "He was focused on us and worried about us, and that's what matters. But I know that it feels good for him."
The Patriots love playing for Vrabel, and they respect what he does for them and the football team, proven by how hard they're battling under him. Assuming nothing changes down the stretch, New England's belief in its head coach could go a long way come playoff time.