Patriots backup quarterbacks Matt Cassell (left) and Vinny Testaverde could find themselves in the forefront today.
(TOM HERDE/GLOBE STAFF)
Option is pivotal part of Patriots' game plan
NASHVILLE -- One week after clinching the AFC East division title, the Patriots can look ahead to another goal: vying for the AFC championship.
But first, they have one final waltz in Nashville.
Today's regular-season finale against the Titans at chewed-up LP Field serves as the team's final tuneup heading into the playoffs, and like every Sunday, there are plenty of storylines.
How much will some of the starters play? Can the defense set the team record for fewest points in a 16-game season? Will Titans quarterback Vince Young turn in an effort that clinches Rookie of the Year honors?
Coach Bill Belichick said early last week that the Patriots would approach the game the same way they have all season. What he didn't specify is how personnel will be deployed, such as how many snaps quarterback Tom Brady -- who missed parts of practices Wednesday and Thursday -- will take. Backup quarterback Matt Cassel took the majority of repetitions in Brady's place, a sign that he could see expanded action.
One line of thinking is that the Patriots will hold nothing back in the personnel department, and then hope they win and the Colts lose, allowing them to move from the fourth to the third seed in the playoffs. But the more likely scenario is that certain players are managed carefully, putting them in the best position -- health-wise and rest-wise -- to succeed the following week in the playoffs.
The forecast for rain today in Nashville could further sway the team's approach in the latter direction. The field conditions are another consideration.
The Patriots can make a bit of history with a solid defensive performance. The team has allowed an average of 14.27 points per game this season, second in the NFL. The Patriots are on track to challenge the franchise record of 14.88 per game, set in 2003.
Belichick often talks about points allowed as the most important defensive statistic, but he believes the team's performance in that area is tied to other areas, such as field position and offensive production.
Among the areas in which the Patriots' defense ranks highly:
Linebacker Mike Vrabel said the defense always looks at its matchup a bit differently.
"Each week we try to outplay the other team's defense," he said. "If they're giving up 7, 10 points, we need to do less than that."
If the Patriots are to do that today, they'll need to contain the dynamic Young (8-4 as a starter) and a solid running game led by Travis Henry (1,109 yards). Young, the third overall draft choice, has 523 rushing yards himself, the highest total by a rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era (1966-present).
Tennessee, which still has an outside chance at a playoff spot, has won six straight and eight of 10.
Meanwhile, the Patriots are assured of hosting a wild-card game next weekend, either Saturday or Sunday.
Safety Rodney Harrison believes the team can still benefit from today's season finale, regardless of how the personnel is managed.
"There's always something to gain," he said. "You go out there and play to win. I think that's our mind-set, to gain confidence, play better on defense, play better on special teams, play better on offense, and try to put just a full, good game together of all three phases."
© Copyright 2006 Globe Newspaper Company.
