The New England Patriots are 4-4 over their last eight games, while the Tennessee Titans are 7-3 with Ryan Tannehill as their starting quarterback.
The Titans also have the NFL’s leading rusher in Derrick Henry (1,540 yards) and an explosive young receiver in A.J. Brown, who had 52 catches for 1,051 yards (20.2 yards per catch) and eight touchdowns as a rookie.
Nevertheless, John McClain believes the Patriots will beat the Titans in their AFC Wild Card matchup Saturday.
“There’s no way I would pick New England to lose at home,” the Houston Chronicle NFL columnist said on After Hours with Amy Lawrence. “I haven’t since Bill Belichick’s first year, and I never will as long as Belichick and Brady are there. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Titans win, but I would never pick it.”
The Patriots look as vulnerable as they’ve been in the Brady-Belichick era and are middle of the pack in total offense. Still, McClain does not think this is the end of the Patriots’ dynasty.
“Taking Rob Gronkowski out of that lineup and not having a reasonable replacement, that hurt Tom Brady more than any of these inexperienced receivers,” McClain said. “I think he was done an injustice by not helping him get more weapons, and I think Bill Belichick will try to address that. They thought they did with Mohamed Sanu, but he had injury issues and it didn’t work out.”
Josh Gordon and Antonio Brown didn’t work out, either.
“They took big chances that didn’t work out, but they’re trying,” McClain said. “So no, I don’t believe it. I want to see Brady not be able to throw the ball. I want to see their offensive line be good for the whole season, not just half a season. So no, I am not ready to write them off.”