Patriots’ keys to victory over the Titans

When: Sunday, 1 p.m.

Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville

TV, radio: CBS, WBZ-FM 98.5

When the Titans run

Tennessee features a terrific tailback tandem in Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis. These two couldn’t be more different in shape or style. Henry (6 feet 3 inches, 247 pounds) is humongous. Lewis (5-8, 195) is a little littler. Henry is a strong, tough grinder who possesses excellent leg drive. He will dip his shoulder and fall forward and can demolish and drag tacklers. Henry has good stamina, and if he finds his rhythm early, he can wear down a defense and the clock. He lacks initial quickness and his vision isn’t the best, leading to a lot of hits in the backfield that will slow him enough for the gang tacklers to arrive. Lewis runs much more powerfully than a man his size has a right to. He has thick legs and good speed. His quickness and comparative lack of size allow him to avoid big hits. He runs with tremendous vision, shiftiness, and balance. Lewis accelerates smoothly, and when he gets those stumps pumping, he’s tough to catch. Quarterback Marcus Mariota is always a threat to run, and though the spindly, 6-4, 222-pounder can be effective, he has taken a ton of punishment in his three-plus seasons. Ben Jones is a savvy center who uses strength to seal his blocks. Guards Quinton Spain and Josh Kline are solid but lack athleticism. New England’s ability to rotate fresh bodies throughout the front seven gives it the advantage. When Elandon Roberts gets a free lane, he will (with apologies to the Red Sox) do damage.

EDGE: Patriots

Rushing yards per game

Tennessee offense: 110.0 (t-16th)

New England defense: 106.9 (14th)

Derrick Henry has grinded his way to 300 rushing yards this season.tom pennington/Getty

When the Titans pass

Marcus Mariota has exceptional athleticism and mobility and can extend the pocket with excellent lateral movement and the play with super straight-line speed. Mariota (6 feet 4 inches, 222 pounds) sets up quickly and stands tall in the pocket — but only for a split second. If his first read is there, he will hit it and move the ball effectively. Mariota hasn’t been given the luxury to properly utilize his secondary weapons consistently because his protection has never been the greatest, leading to a lot of sacks (111 in 49 games) and a lot rushes (195 for 1,130 yards), some planned, some ad-libbed. Left tackle Taylor Lewan is an aggressive, blue-collar blocker. Corey Davis (6-3, 209) is the top receiving threat, and he has oodles of skill. He’s big and physical and has exceptional body control; he’ll make ridiculous catches look routine. Davis doesn’t have great initial quickness but he will build speed. He has really long arms and will pluck the ball fluidly; no body catches for this guy. Former UMass standout Tajae Sharpe (6-2, 194) is a lanky and slippery target who rarely drops balls. Taywan Taylor (5-11, 203) bolts off the line, runs crisp routes, and is a tough tackle. Sharpe (ankle) and Taylor (foot) won’t be at top speed, though. Dion Lewis is an excellent safety valve for Mariota. Tight ends Jonnu Smith (he’s athletic) and Luke Stocker (he’s bullish) have combined for just 15 catches.

EDGE: Titans

Passing yards per game

Tennessee offense: 178.3 (30th)

New England defense: 274.2 (26th)

Marcus Mariota has a passer rating of 85.2.adrian kraus/AP

When the Patriots run

Sony Michel could give an added boost to an attack that has fared just fine the last two-plus weeks but could use some reinforcements against a defense that allows a league-low 17.6 points per game. The 5-foot-11-inch, 215-pound Michel shows good burst through the hole and flashes excellent acceleration and shimmy when he hits the second level. He’ll likely be on a pitch count after a knee injury. Cordarrelle Patterson (6-2, 228) is a monster-truck tailback. His vision was much improved against the Packers, he accelerates quickly, and he has the power to run over defenders. Patterson runs a tad upright, so he will at times take the brunt of collisions. The slippery James White (he’s a demon on wheels) and the quick Kenjon Barner (his blitz pickup on Clay Matthews last week was textbook) round out this corps. No matter who gets the carries, James Develin will be out front crunching bodies and creating creases. The Titans are stout up front with tackles Jurrell Casey (he sheds blocks in a flash) and Austin Johnson (he has a high-revving, nonstop motor). Inside linebackers Jayon Brown and Wesley Woodyard are heat-seeking ball trackers. Brown has good instincts and will pursue from sideline to sideline. Woodyard dissects plays quickly and uses his strong hands to disengage from blockers and wrap up ball carriers. Safeties Kenny Vaccaro and Kevin Byard are comfortable supporting the run defense.

EDGE: Titans

Rushing yards per game

New England offense: 116.1 (14th)

Tennessee defense: 107.3 (16th)

Cordarrelle Patterson had 61 yards rushing in Week 9 vs. Green Bay.matthew j. lee/Globe Staff

When the Patriots pass

Tom Brady will see some familiar faces when he scans the Titans defense, notably a couple of corners who spent four seasons trying to steal his passes at practice. Now Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler get to try it on a bigger stage. Ryan is studious and steady. He’ll get physical at the line and will stay with his assignment. Butler is a sticky player with good mirror skills and keeps his hands active. Patriots receiver Julian Edelman has had some legendary practice battles with both guys, and he’ll likely see a lot of Ryan, who has been the nickel guy. Slick and quick Adoree’ Jackson has the other boundary for Tennessee. The speed with which Brady has built a rapport with Josh Gordon has been remarkable. Gordon (6 feet 3 inches, 225 pounds) has superior size and strength and will fight for 50-50 balls. He can be effective in the short, intermediate, or deep game. Chris Hogan specializes in getting lost in the defense on crossers. Cordarrelle Patterson is effective on quick hits. James White has developed into one of the most reliable receiving threats in the league. “I hope by Sunday we have an answer [for White],’’ said Titans coach Mike Vrabel, who called the back’s production “ridiculous.’’ Brady will need those quick options, as the Titans can pressure from all angles. Jurrell Casey and Jayon Brown rush up the gut while ex-Boston College star Harold Landry and Kamalei Correa will come calling off the edges.

EDGE: Patriots

Passing yards per game

New England offense: 271.4 (11th)

Tennessee defense: 226.3 (eighth)

Tom Brady and Josh Gordon have been clicking.matthew j. lee/Globe Staff

Titans’ key player: RB Dion Lewis

You know him. You loved him. The 5-foot-8-inch, 195-pounder looks like a cute and cuddly teddy bear, but he plays like a ferocious grizzly. He’s a threat to bite you from anywhere on the field.

How he beats you: With awesome quickness. Lewis jump-cuts into the hole and uses a variety of shake and spin moves to avoid defenders. He can freeze would-be tacklers with a nifty stutter-step.

How to shut him down: By making the hits count. This little bug on a rug is tremendously adept at avoiding big collisions, so when you get the chance at landing a direct shot, you have to do it.

Dion Lewis had 62 yards rushing and 60 receiving against Dallas in Week 9.ronald martinez/Getty

Titans’ keys to victory

1. Remember the Titans: Corners Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler have plenty of experience facing Tom Brady. Do they recall any subtle Brady tells that will aid them in their defense?

2. Clash of the Titans: Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey is a mover and a shaker. He can move blockers with ease and shake ball carriers to their core. He needs to be a force.

3. Nissan Titans: The backfield tandem of Dion Lewis and Derrick Henry needs to kick it into high gear to get this game on cruise control. Let Lewis strike early and Henry grind the gears late.