Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL playoffs: Niner Noise predictions for the Divisional Round

By Peter Panacy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 11: Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings bats the ball away from Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints in the second half of the game on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 11: Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings bats the ball away from Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints in the second half of the game on September 11, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 20: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots shakes hands with B.W. Webb #38 of the Tennessee Titans following their game at Gillette Stadium on December 20, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 20: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots shakes hands with B.W. Webb #38 of the Tennessee Titans following their game at Gillette Stadium on December 20, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots

Saturday, Jan. 13 at 8:15 p.m. ET

After pulling off a shocking comeback in the first round of the NFL playoffs, the Titans now face an even more formidable challenge by taking on a New England Patriots team fresh off an opening-week bye.

Call it a hunch, but I believe the Pats will use the ESPN report on internal dysfunction as motivation — the “us versus the world” mentality that could make them even more dangerous. That report might signify issues. But it won’t happen now. If anything, head coach Bill Belichick and Co. want to finish out with a bang.

Bad news for the Titans, who enter the contest as 13.5-point underdogs, according to Sportsbook Review.

Belichick won’t make the same game-management mistakes Chiefs head coach Andy Reid made in the second half of his matchup with the Titans in the Wild Card round. No, that’s not Belichick.

If there is a chance for Tennessee, it’s on the ground. Running back Derrick Henry managed 156 yards and a touchdown last week without the support of fellow tailback DeMarco Murray (knee). And with New England allowing an average of 4.7 yards per rush — 31st in the NFL — it would be a wise approach to take.

But with Titans strong safety Johnathan Cyprien and his 37.2 pass-coverage grade, per Pro Football Focus, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Pats tight end Rob Gronkowski “go off” in this contest.

Gronk and quarterback Tom Brady make it look easy and move onto the AFC Championship game.

Prediction: Patriots 35, Titans 21