It’s been a fun start to the Mike Vrabel era in New England, and it could reach new heights after this week’s trip to Nashville to face the Tennessee Titans.
It’s hardly a secret that Vrabel has some not-so-pleasant history with the Titans and owner Amy Adams Strunk. He was fired as Tennessee’s head coach after six years following the 2023 season, after the team went 3-7 over its final 10 games; Vrabel’s Titans had also lost seven straight to close 2022.
Still, Vrabel was viewed as an ascending coach at the time of his firing. He was the NFL’s Coach of the Year in 2021, and led a middling Titans roster through Foxboro and to the AFC Championship Game in 2019.
Vrabel hasn’t said it this week. He probably won’t say it post-game, either. But Patriots fans should expect a focused team on Sunday as the Patriots look to slay the worst team in football and retain their current perch atop the AFC East.
The real celebration could come away from the cameras inside the visitor’s locker room at Nissan Stadium. If Vrabel can get this one, he’ll get to boast a crazy feat that’s never been done in Patriots franchise history — at the expense of the franchise that didn’t want him.
The New England Patriots have never won back-to-back-to-back road games in franchise history
Patriots fans might be sick of hearing this topic, but it’s undeniable: New England has the luxury of one of the most favorable NFL schedules in recent memory in 2025.
The #Patriots are back where they belong: number one in the AFC East. Their next games before the bye-week?
— Zac Ventola (@NEPatriotsToday) October 14, 2025
@ Titans (1-5)
Vs Browns (1-5)
Vs Falcons (3-2)
@ Buccaneers (5-1)
Vs Jets (0-6)
@ Bengals (2-4)
Vs Giants (2-4)
Their schedule does, however, include a quirk that only happens every few years — three road games in three consecutive weeks.
New England has obviously won three road games in a row; the 2007 team went 8-0 on the road during the regular season.
But no Patriots team in franchise history has won back-to-back-to-back road games, without playing a home game in between. Several past teams have gone 2-1 in that scenario, but never 3-0.
Had to look it up. Since 2002, the Patriots had plans back-to-back-to-back road games three times.
— Michael Rodnick (@MJRodnick) October 17, 2025
2002
2017
2020 https://t.co/4f66BLOE9j
In a wild twist of fate, Vrabel’s Patriots could accomplish that feat at Nissan Stadium on Sunday.
The Patriots upset the Bills in Buffalo in Week 5, validated that statement performance with another win over the Saints in New Orleans in Week 6, and now have a chance to pull off a rare road trifecta by beating the Titans — a 1-5 team with a rookie quarterback who just fired their head coach.
The Patriots don’t choose their schedule. They’re obviously benefiting from their last-place finish in 2024, and young quarterback Drake Maye's sudden ascension to elite status.
All eye-rolls aside, three road wins in three weeks is an accomplishment in the NFL, no matter the opponents. It's just another reason to turn the locker room music up louder on Sunday, if Vrabel and company can take care of business in Tennessee.