What to Watch For: Titans vs. Patriots
Sunday, December 20, 2015
See What to Watch For in the Slideshow Below
The two teams are going in complete opposite directions. New England is in a battle for the number one seed in the AFC while the Titans are in a battle for the number one draft pick in the NFL.
"They're very disruptive, hard to block, experienced guys in the secondary – they really know what they're doing and cause a lot of problems. Offensively it's an explosive group – [Delanie] Walker, [Harry] Douglas, [Dorial] Green-Beckham, [Marcus] Mariota. They do a good job and really anybody can pretty much get you on any play so everybody's got to be disciplined. The quarterback is a great athlete, very hard to defend out of the pocket, we saw that in the Jacksonville game," said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick this week.
Familiar Look
"Dick was really the guy that put that whole package together. Again I think there were maybe some random satellite elements of it here and there, and again I had some experience with that at the Giants, what we did, but nowhere near to the degree that he did it and popularized it," said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
Prior to joining the Titans, LeBeau spent the last nine years of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and then with the Bengals before that.
"I don't think I can just say enough about him, what he's done over his career, not only the length of it, but the quality of it is really, really remarkable. The man has given so much to this game and one of the guys I have as much respect for as really anybody in professional football. Dick has made great contributions to the game and once again they're playing great defense," Belichick said.
This season, the Titans have the 9th best passing defense in the league and the 17th best rushing defense in the league. Tennessee is ranked 13th overall in total defense. The Titans come in with a total of 35 sacks on the season led by Brian Orakpo who has seven.
"It's the Steelers defense in principle with a few variations, but he and Ray Horton do a great job with their front. They're very disruptive, hard to block, experienced guys in the secondary – they really know what they're doing and cause a lot of problems," Belichick added.
While LeBeau was with Pittsburgh from 2004-2014, he helped the Steelers win four AFC titles and two Super Bowls. During that time period, LeBeau faced New England eight times.
The Patriots are 5-3.
Dick LeBeau now faces the Patriots again with a rebuilding defense that is already rising while the rest of the team is hoping to rise.
Patriots vs. Titans
The Patriots have not lost to the Titans since 2002 and have never lost at home to the Titans.
In fact, the last time the Titans came to New England, this happened.
Titans vs. Patriots is set for 1 p.m.
Related Slideshow: What to Watch For: Titans vs. Patriots
Related Articles
- 5 Takeaways From the Patriots Win Over Miami
- Criticizers of Patriots Suffering Wrath of Karma
- What to Watch For: Redskins vs. Patriots
- 5 Takeaways From the Patriots Win Over Washington
- What to Watch For: Dolphins vs. Patriots
- 5 Takeaways From the Patriots Win Over the Jets
- What to Watch For: Patriots vs. Colts
- 5 Takeaways From the Patriots 34-27 Win Over the Colts
- Patriots Defense: With and Without Darrelle Revis
- What to Watch For: Jets vs. Patriots
- NEW: Patriots Running Back Lewis Out for Season
- 8 Plays That Define the Patriots Season - in Vines
- Patriots Injured Receiving Corps Accounts for 167 Catches, 18 TD’s
- 5 Takeaways From the Patriots Loss to Denver
- What to Watch For: Eagles vs. Patriots
- 5 Takeaways From the Patriots Loss to Philadelphia
- What to Watch For: Patriots vs. Texans
- What to Watch For: Patriots vs. Broncos
- Terrell Owens Wants a Try Out With Patriots
- What to Watch For When the Patriots Face the Giants
- 5 Takeaways From the Patriots Win Over the Giants
- What to Watch For: Bills vs. Patriots
- 5 Takeaways From the Patriots 20-13 Win Over Buffalo
- Patriots Clinch 7th Straight AFC East Title
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It