Three to Watch: Patriots Look to Keep Rolling vs. Titans in Week 7

The Patriots travel to Tennessee to face the Titans in Week 7, looking to keep their win streak going as they wrap up a three-game road swing.

The Patriots are back on the road for a third-straight week. This time, they head to Tennessee to take on the Titans, while marking head coach Mike Vrabel’s return to face the team he coached for six seasons. New England is riding a three-game win streak, most recently a 25-19 road win over the Saints, with Drake Maye continuing to show signs of a major second-year leap.

The Titans, meanwhile, are in turmoil, sitting at 1-5 on the season and having just fired head coach Brian Callahan. Interim coach Mike McCoy steps in to stabilize a team that ranks 31st in scoring (13.8 PPG) and 31st in overall DVOA.

Here are the three things to watch.

1. Pressure Cam Ward

Rookie QB Cam Ward, the 2025 No. 1 overall pick, has shown flashes but has been under siege. He’s taken a league-high 25 sacks and thrown four interceptions to just three touchdowns. The Patriots front four has been disruptive, led by Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, and emerging edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, who leads the team with 21 QB pressures.

This is also a homecoming for Harold Landry III, who leads the Patriots with 4.5 sacks and spent seven seasons in Tennessee. The Titans rank 31st in pass yards per attempt (4.0) and 32nd in passing touchdowns (three). New England’s front has the potential to control the game.

2. Look Out for Jeff

Jeffery Simmons remains one of the NFL’s most disruptive interior defenders. He leads the Titans with 4.5 sacks and 23 pressures, and he’s capable of wrecking a game plan. The Patriots offensive line will need to be sharp, especially Michael Onwenu and Garrett Bradbury, the two most likely to be consistently dealing with Simmons.

Despite Simmons, this could be a chance for the Patriots to finally get their run game going. They rank 29th in yards per carry (3.5) and 32nd in rush EPA, but the Titans defense has allowed 802 rushing yards and ranks 32nd in rushing touchdowns allowed (11). If the Titans choose to make Maye’s deep passing attack the focus of their defensive gameplan, it could mean opportunities for the running game against lighter boxes.

Drake Maye has been sensational. Through six games, he’s completed 73.2% of his passes for 1,522 yards, 12 total touchdowns (10 passing, two rushing), and just two interceptions, with a passer rating of 107.8. He’s also added 138 rushing yards on 36 carries.

Maye’s growth has put the Patriots back in the playoff conversation, but continued development is key. The second-year QB has made remarkable strides with his pocket awareness, knowing when to buy time, when to step up and when to bail. It’s been a key piece of his impressive development and one he should continue to lean into as he becomes even more confident.

The Titans defense ranks 26th in points allowed (26.8 PPG) and 22nd in yards per carry allowed (4.5). If Maye gets support from the run game and protection up front, this offense, currently 11th in scoring (25.0 PPG), can take another significant step forward.