New England Patriots 4 Downs Review: Wild Card vs Tennessee Titans

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots walks into the locker room during halftime of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 04: James White #28 of the New England Patriots carries against the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

3rd Down: Run the ball

New England had most of their success on offense via the ground game throughout the season. We all know an effective run game can help a team win in the playoffs, and last season’s team is a prime example of that.

That meant that Sony Michel, James White and Rex Burkhead all had to be effective on the ground. Not only those three players had to be effective, but also the jet sweep plays they like to run with Edelman or Harry had to work to help out the running attack.

At the end of the game, Michel had 61 yards on the ground, while White pitched in 14. Harry had seven and Burkhead had four. Edelman scored a rushing touchdown, bringing his rushing total to just 12 yards. Those aren’t Derrick Henry-like numbers for the Pats, but the running game for New England was good enough to get the win.

However, they simply could not pull it out.

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