Remember the Titans – as they used to be.

The power football team led by running back Derrick Henry that bulldozed the New England Patriots in November of 2018 in the regular season and left Gillette Stadium in January of 2020 with a Wild Card playoff win and ended Tom Brady’s Patriots career on the sourest of notes (a Logan Ryan pick six on his last New England pass).

Now? They still have the competitive nature of their coach, former Patriots Mike Vrabel, but the injuries are simply going to catch up with Vrabel & Co. Henry is just that good, a a rare running back who makes a difference.

Vrabel, meanwhile, says that the Patriots have the best rushing attack in the league.

“Mike’s really tossing the bouquets, huh?,” said Pats coach Bill Belichick, as this Vrabel-Belichick dynamic is fascinating. “We he should know a good running attack because (the Titans) have led the league in rushing down there pretty much since he’s been there.”

And so it goes. Vrabel knows his team is in trouble, and knows the Patriots may be settling into a one-two punch of Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson that could make them very, very dangerous. He knows that New England has a defense that is suddenly similar to the defenses he was a key part of for years. Belichick was asked Friday about the Patriots’ defensive identity, and gave a perfect answer:

“I’d like for our identity,” he said, “to be winning.”

The Titans had that identity, but could be on their way to handing it over to the Patriots on Sunday.

Meanwhile, we’ve been winning but barely, so here goes with the holiday weekend picks:

PATRIOTS 27, TITANS 13

There’s just no way Ryan Tannehill beats this New England defense. He’ll have all sorts of trouble, and Tennessee won’t be able to run the ball. This will be the changing of the guard; Tennessee falls from the No. 1 AFC spot and the Patriots stake their claim.

RAVENS 17, BROWNS 13

The Ravens say Lamar Jackson is 120 percent; that’s not quite worth 120 points but it does give the Ravens the edge as they might be able to take over the mathematical top spot in the AFC. A good Sunday Night matchup.

BENGALS 24, STEELERS 16

We think the Steelers are toast. They gave up a horrific deep ball late Sunday night against the Chargers and it still looks like Ben Roethlisberger is counting down the days to retirement. Bengals got back on track by blowing Raidahs away last Sunday, and they’ll keep that flow going.

RAMS 23, PACKERS 17

Aaron Rodgers has a broken tootsie and will still tough it out and wants to make sure we know it; Rams QB Matthew Stafford has played his share of games at Lambeau, and even though he’s just 3-7, he’ll handle it OK. Rams win this one; a rematch in the playoffs might be a different story.

VIKINGS 24, 49ERS 21

Jimmy G and the Niners are still alive and so are Kirk Cousins and the Vikes. Something’s got to give, and we think it will be the Niners, giving Minny its second big road win in a row.

BUCS 30, COLTS 23

Of course the Giants got Tompa Bay back on track last week. Indy stunned everyone by blowing out the Bills on the road. But this is the time when Tom Brady homes in on what has to be done in the final month-plus to get his team Super Bowl ready. This is the start.

PANTHERS 23, DOLPHINS 20

Neither quarterback – old friend Cam Newton for Carolina or Tua Tagaovailoa for Miami – is going to get their teams anywhere. But Newton has Christian McAffrey and Tua, who has been the QB for all four Dolphin wins, doesn’t. There’s the difference.

LAST WEEK: 4-3

SEASON: 53-25

Tom King may be reached at tking@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow King on Twitter (@Telegraph_TomK).

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