Quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots
Tom Brady and his New England Patriots will meet the Tennessee Titans in the wild card game at Gillette Stadium on Saturday. The 42-year-old six-time Super-Bowl-winner has played only three wild card games in his 16 playoff trips. In 2005, the Patriots defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars; in 2006, they beat the New York Jets; then in 2009, the Patriots lost to the Baltimore Ravens.
How will they behave in their fourth wild card game, which they have to attend after unexpectedly losing to the Miami Dolphins in their last regular season game.
Brady admitted that starting from the wild card game, the first time in almost a decade, is not good news. Though he finished 16 of 29 passes to throw 221 yards that led to two touchdowns in the game against the Dolphins, his completion percentage this season is only 60.8, the lowest since 2013.
Ryan Tannehill #17, quarterback of the Tennessee Titans looks to throw the ball in the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, December 29, 2019. /AP Photo
Moreover, though the Titans only rank No. 6, they are no easy opponents because the Titans know the Patriots too well. Titans' running back Dion Lewis and cornerback Logan Ryan both played for the Patriots for three and four years, respectively. Both have made contributions to the team winning Super Bowl.
The connection does not end on the court. Dean Pees, Tennessee's defensive coordinator, used to work for Bill Belichick for five years during which he grew from a linebacker coach to a defensive coordinator.
Furthermore, Jon Robinson, general manager of the Titans used to work as area scout, regional scout, and assistant director of college scouting of the Patriots. However, even Robinson's story cannot beat the one of Mike Vrabel, Titans' head coach.
Mike Vrabe (L), head coach of the Tennessee Titans shakes hands with Bill Belichick (R), head coach of the New England Patriots before the game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, November 11, 2018. /AP Photo
Vrabel was New England's linebacker from 2001 to 2008, meaning that he was there with the team when they won three Super Bowl championships. Moreover, Vrabel did not miss even one regular-season game during the eight years and achieved 602 tackles, 48 sacks, 11 interceptions, and 13 fumbles.
What should worry the Patriots more is the fact that Vrabel used to pair with Brady in offense and even had eight touchdowns. Before he became a coach, Vrabel collected enough experience and knowledge from Belichick. Now, the "student" is about to challenge his "teacher" in the playoffs.
The last time the Patriots lost at home happened in the AFC Championship Game in 2012 when the Ravens took them down 28-13. Two years ago, the Titans challenged the Patriots under the leadership of Mike Mularkey and Marcus Mariota. They failed at that time. Will the team achieve something different this time?