NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Titans linebacker Brian Orakpo broke down his team after their wild-card win over the Kansas City Chiefs with a simple message: "Great victory. Enjoy it. We're not done yet. We got the big boys next week so get your minds right." The reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots certainly qualify as the big boys, and we'll see how close the Titans are to matching up with the AFC elite Saturday (CBS, 8:15 p.m. ET).
Reasons to be excited: Marcus Mariota and Derrick Henry gave the Titans plenty of hope as they led the team back from a 18-point deficit against the Chiefs. The Patriots are a different level of opponent, but the Titans' route to a victory will likely look similar. The Patriots run defense is among the NFL's worst, allowing 4.7 yards per carry, and if the Titans can keep the score close, Henry should receive a workload similar to the 23 carries he got in Kansas City when he broke the franchise record for yards from scrimmage. Mariota's ability to run will also be an element used to frustrate the Patriots defense. The Titans defense shut out the Chiefs in the second half Saturday. This team has a knack of finding a way.
Reasons to be concerned: Well, the Titans have yet to prove they can hang with the AFC's elite teams. A trip to Pittsburgh earlier this season resulted in a 40-17 loss, as Ben Roethlisberger picked them apart and Mariota had four interceptions. Tom Brady has the wits to pick apart the weaknesses of the Titans defense like Alex Smith did in the first half Saturday. Solving Rob Gronkowski will be a gigantic challenge. The Titans offense will need to have its best scheme and best performance of the season to keep up with the Patriots points-wise. It will be a big challenge for the Titans coaches to game plan and adjust well against the Patriots' staff.
How far is the gap? It's a homecoming for Titans general manager Jon Robinson, who spent 12 years of his career working up the scouting ranks in New England, and for cornerback Logan Ryan, who played four seasons and got two rings with the Patriots. They'll certainly try to share some tricks about the Patriots' machine this week. The last time these teams played, in December 2015, the Patriots won 33-16 at home on a day Mariota left with a knee injury. The Titans believe they've made considerable progress since then, and we'll see just how far they've come. Tight end Delanie Walker told me: "We can play with anybody on any Sunday [or] Saturday. We ready for them."