On Sunday, the Patriots (5-2) went into Nashville and beat head coach Mike Vrabel’s old team 31-13, dropping the Titans to 1-6 on the year and handing interim head coach Mike McCoy his first loss as the temporary frontman in Tennessee.
In both the leadup to the game and in the aftermath, Vrabel has been asked about this matchup ad nauseam. He has said everything you can possibly say about coaching against a former team, beating a former team, and what that win against a former team means for his current team moving forward.
Vrabel may have tried to downplay it at every turn, but there’s a reason why quarterback Drake Maye was handing him the game ball in the locker room afterwards. Everyone at 1 Patriot Place has had this one circled, and they went out and did what they needed to do to “win one for the Gipper,” as Vrabel described it on the Wednesday leading into Week 7.
Even with Maye having a record-setting accuracy day as a passer, one of the main topics of conversation during his weekly chat with WEEI Afternoons on Monday was about getting the W for his head coach.
“It meant a lot to us, him downplaying, not making a big deal…what’s interesting versus what’s important and he cared about us,” Maye told WEEI. “He cared about his team and he said that was in the past. Now he’s moved on, and he’s worried about us. Shoot, we love playing for coach.
“I know that it just means more. It means more for him, going back to a place where he’s had history and great success. We wanted to win it for him. It was cool to see him kind of, care in the locker room and show some emotion.”
Prior to Maye’s kind words for Vrabel on Monday afternoon, tight end Hunter Henry was asked about the big win for Vrabel during his weekly appearance on Jones and Keefe.
“Was there a little something extra to it this week?” asked WEEI’s Rich Keefe.
“I mean, we're just - we're glad to have him, man,” said Henry. “You know, he definitely downplayed it, and I don't think anything was personal. I think he enjoyed his time there, but I'm just thankful we have him. Glad to have him on our side.”
“What stands out most about Vrabel as a coach here so far through seven games?” asked WEEI’s Adam Jones.
“Just consistent, man,” said Henry. “Consistent in who he is, consistent on the message. You know, a guy that I feel like always has our back no matter what, and just the guy you want to go out there and play for.
“It’s been a lot of fun to continue to grow with him and learn from him, and so many different aspects. I mean, he played, he's coached at a high level, so it's fun being around him.”
Vrabel, Henry, Maye and the rest of the Patriots will look to keep the good times rolling heading into Week 8, as they return home to Gillette Stadium for a game on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns (2-5).
As of publishing, you can get the Patriots on FanDuel as a 7-point favorite (-104). They’re a heavy moneyline favorite at -320, and the total is set at 40.5.
Tune in each and every Monday throughout the football season to Patriots Monday on WEEI. Head coach Mike Vrabel joins The Greg Hill Show at 6:30 a.m. ET, and quarterback Drake Maye joins WEEI Afternoons.