On Sunday Limited Jeremy Hill Jersey , Not per se familiar because the two teams meet regularly — they squared off against each other just four times over the last decade, including last year’s playoffs — but because the Tennessee Titans employ plenty of former members of the Patriots organization. For them to defeat their former team, however, they will have to play a very good game as the statistics appear to favor New England.Let’s analyze the matchup by taking a look at some of the advanced stats heading into the game (courtesy of SB Nation’s Bill Connelly; for his methodology please click here).Patriots offense vs Titans defenseNormal down and distance in the open fieldThe battle between the New England offense and the Tennessee defense projects to be fought on equal footing in the open field. This may particularly hold true when it comes to moving the football: the Patriots have regular success — gaining 50% of necessary yardage on first down, 70% on second down, and 100% on third and fourth down — in this area, as do the Titans. The only clear advantage one of the teams has is big plays, an area in which New England’s offense has struggled.Backed Up Situations Near the Goal LineThe Patriots’ success rate when backed up looks solid, while the turnover percentage still hurts from a tipped week one interception. The Titans defense, meanwhile, has had its issues stopping teams from generating some breathing room deep.Red ZoneWhile the Patriots’ red zone offense is among the league’s best between the 11 and 30-yard lines, it has been inconsistent near the goal line. Getting big targets like Josh Gordon and Rob Gronkowski going in this part of the field has to be imperative for New England, especially considering that the Titans’ defense is the NFL’s best inside the 10-yard line.Third DownsNew England’s third down offense, which on the year converts 42.3% of its attempts, remains a work in progress. Tennessee is a welcome opponent, however, considering that the team’s defense has weaknesses especially in the medium and short range between one and six yards to go. Tom Brady and the New England offense might therefore be able to find success in those situations on Sunday. Blitz SituationsOn blitz downs — obvious passing situations specified as first-and-18 or more, second-and-14 or more, and third-and-3 or more — the Patriots offense and Titans defense appear to be evenly matched up. The notable outlier is sack rate: while Tennessee’s pass rush has a hard time getting after the quarterback in this scenario, New England’s protection is outstanding despite the Green Bay Packers finding some success last week.Patriots defense vs Titans offenseNormal down and distance in the open fieldThe Titans offense generally struggles when it comes to creating yardage in the open field. However, the unit is among the league’s best at converting third downs — a weakness of New England’s defense this year: between the opponent’s 10 and their own 30-yard line, the Patriots allow 43% to be turned into a fresh set of downs. Backed Up Situations Near the Goal LineThe backed up statistics read similar to the ones involving the Patriots offense and Titans defense: Tennessee’s offense is solid in this area Jordan Matthews Jersey , while New England has room for improvement when having the opponent backed up.Red ZoneNew England’s defense keeps manifesting itself one of the best units in the NFL again inside the 20-yard line. The Titans offense, meanwhile, has its ups and down in this part of the field: while it performs well inside the 20-yard line – except when it comes to turnover rate – its success is limited in first-and-goal situations. Winning the battle in this part of the field will be a key for the Patriots on both sides of the football.Third DownsNew England and Tennessee are near-mirror images when it comes to third down success. Both the Patriots defense and the Titans offense are successful in third-and-long situations but have weaknesses the shorter the yardage to gain is. That being said, quarterback Marcus Mariota is the NFL’s most efficient third down passer since week five: he completed 18 of 28 pass attempts earning first downs with every single completion.Blitz SituationsThe Patriots remain below average when it comes to blitz down success — and now they have to go against a Titans offense that usually gains considerable yardage when forced to play from behind the sticks. However, the unit has also struggled to protect the quarterback in such situations. While New England’s pass rush is inconsistent on the year, it has shown signs of life last week against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.Statistically speaking, the Patriots and Titans are matched up rather evenly. For New England it will therefore be imperative to perform in two critical areas of the field:Red zone: the Patriots face a tough challenge in this part of the field on both offense and defense; winning here will be key.Third down: the two teams have similar third down success on both sides of the football and the team which rises up in those situations will have a good shot at winning the game.If New England is able to get regular victories in those two areas, it would go a long way to getting a victory in the game as well. One of the NFL's most formidable fronts is off to a slow start.The Jacksonville Jaguars, who ranked second in the NFL with 55 sacks in 2017, have four in two games — on pace for 32 this season. Players insist the issue is all about the schedule and not any "Sacksonville" shortcomings.The Jaguars (2-0) have faced veteran quarterbacks Eli Manning and Tom Brady, both savvy enough to get rid of the football quickly and avoid the pressure that defines Jacksonville's defense. The result: A relatively pedestrian nine quarterback hurries in eight quarters.Jacksonville hopes to end the trend against AFC South rival Tennessee on Sunday. It's hardly a given considering the Titans (1-1) have allowed a league-leading one sack. But they also could be without starting offensive tackles Taylor Lewan (concussion) and Jake Conklin (knee). Conklin missed the first two games while recovering from a knee injury sustained in the postseason.Making matters worse for Tennessee, backup Dennis Kelly (illness) was hospitalized last weekend and could miss a second straight game."They do have a good O-line, but we'll see this week," Jaguars defensive tackle Malik Jackson said with a sly grin.Jacksonville is clearly frustrated by its sack totals, but quick to point out that opponents are sliding protections, chipping defensive ends with backs and tight ends, and even sending out as few as two receivers."It's kind of like, 'OK, if you want to max protect, you've got five guys covering two guys,'" linebacker Myles Jack said. "Eventually, Sacksonville will return. I don't think it's at a standstill. I just think they're getting so much respect right now. They'll get their numbers."Jacksonville has become one of the favorites in the AFC following wins against the New York Giants and New England. A victory against the Titans would give them their first 3-0 start since 2004.Tennessee has won four of the last five meetings Jonathan Jones Jersey Salute to Service , including a series sweep last season, and has more victories (27) against Jacksonville than any team in the franchise's 24-year existence."It's intense, both teams on the rise that started at the bottom of the league and now both teams have been fighting for something (in) recent years," Titans linebacker Brian Orakpo said. "It's exciting. It's exciting for football. The AFC South is becoming very competitive again, and we're both glad to be on the winning side of the things."Here are some other things to know about the Titans and Jaguars:QB QUESTIONSTitans quarterback Marcus Mariota is still experiencing arm weakness along with numbness and tingling in two fingers after injuring his right elbow in the season opener. The symptoms affect the velocity and spin he gets on the football."The way that they explained it to me is like when you strum like a guitar string," Mariota said. "My nerve's kind of been strummed, and it's going to take its time to settle down."GABBERT RETURNSIf Mariota doesn't improve, backup Blaine Gabbert would make his second straight start. Either way, it will be Gabbert's first game back in Jacksonville since the Jaguars traded the 10th overall pick in the 2011 draft to San Francisco in May 2014."I've heard mixed reviews on his time here. I think the fans will kind of give him his warm welcome he deserves," Jack said sarcastically.Gabbert went 5-22 as Jacksonville's starter. But he's 1-0 against his first NFL team , notching a win last year in Arizona."I went out that game last year against Arizona, and Gabbert lit up the field," Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith said. "I ain't forgot."PAYBACK TOURThe Jaguars are playing the second of three consecutive home games against teams that beat them in 2017 . New England ended Jacksonville's season in the AFC championship game. Tennessee swept both meetings. And next week's opponent, the New York Jets, knocked off the Jags in overtime."We're 1-0 on the Payback Tour," Jack said.Added cornerback A.J. Bouye: "We owe a lot of teams some whuppings."STREAKINGThe only game Tennessee has lost to Jacksonville in the past 34 months came on Christmas Eve 2016, when Mariota was knocked out of the game with a broken right leg. The Titans have won five straight overall in the AFC South, including a 20-17 victory last week against Houston that was buoyed by a touchdown on a fake punt."They don't respect us at all," Jackson said. "We're going to have to go out there and earn our respect."