Pats’ Burkhead could be secret weapon vs. Titans
Foxborough, Mass. — One of the few bright spots to come from the Patriots' stunning loss in Sunday's regular-season finale resided in the backfield.
Rex Burkhead shined again, dusting defenders and punishing a couple, too, over 19 offensive snaps. He lost a tackler on half his six carries. It was another piece of evidence to suggest the veteran back is playing his best football of the season.
Two weeks before Miami's upset, Burkhead rushed for a season-high 53 yards, largely due to a 33-yarder he ripped off, the Pats' longest of the year. A week later, he scored the game-winning touchdown against Buffalo in Week 16 and racked up a season-best 77 receiving yards.
"He does a lot of things well," Bill Belichick said Tuesday. "Plays in the kicking game, plays on all four downs, catches the ball, blocks, runs, gets tough yards, can make plays out in space . ... Whenever he's had opportunities, he's been productive for us."
The Pats will need Burkhead at his best again on Saturday against Tennessee, as they look to survive and advance from their rare appearance on Wild Card weekend. Thankfully for them, Burkhead is no stranger to performing in the postseason. He saved his best for last a year ago to send the Patriots to the Super Bowl.
Burkhead saw half the snaps on the Pats' final two drives of their win in the AFC Championship Game at Kansas City, their most pressure-packed possessions of the season. The offense turned to Burkhead because he provided a balance James White and Sony Michel cannot. He's capable of threatening defenses as a rusher and receiver, even if his wiggle is less than White's and inside running less powerful than Michel's.
Burkhead rewarded the Patriots with a 2-yard, game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Chiefs. Even if he starts Saturday on the sidelines, Burkhead could be in position to deliver again at the end.
"You never know when you're number's going to be called," Burkhead said, "but when it is, you've got to be ready to go."
Vrabel talks Roberts
Elandon Roberts would have been the first Patriots linebacker of the last 20 years to catch a touchdown pass last weekend were it not for the coach he'll face Saturday.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel snagged eight touchdowns over his playing career in New England. He is the rare Patriot who understands the two-way workload Roberts has undertaken as a linebacker and fullback. Vrabel, who lined up as a part-time tight end over several seasons with the Pats, spoke about Roberts playing both sides of the ball Tuesday during a conference call.
"He's a valuable player, it would seem like for them," Vrabel said. "I know that when Bill (Belichick) asks you to do a lot of things, he trusts you. So he's helped them out quite a bit."