FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Shortly after the New England Patriots learned that the Tennessee Titans would be their opponent in Saturday's AFC divisional-round playoff game, safety Duron Harmon connected some important dots. Harmon, one of the team's captains, pointed out that Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota can be effective with his mobility and the Patriots have had trouble with mobile quarterbacks this season.
This has been one point of emphasis for defenders since they returned Monday after three days off. Rush-lane integrity and keeping Mariota in the pocket will be critical.
"It’s not like if he stays in the pocket he can’t make throws, but when he escapes outside the pocket and he has the ability to run and throw, you honestly really don’t have a shot to stop him," safety Devin McCourty said.