(Photo credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images)

Six years stand between the Patriots and their last start better than the current 4-2 record New England carries into leaf-peeping season.

Last season when the Patriots rolled into Nashville to play the Tennessee Titans, their former head coach Mike Vrabel was working as a consultant for the Cleveland Browns, and New England lost 20-17 in overtime.

Vrabel, back in the picture in a big way these days, will stand on the visitor's sideline Sunday when the AFC-leading Patriots -- with a coaching staff and front office with 13 former Tennessee staffers and a roster that includes six former Titans -- take on his former employer in Nashville.

'There is going to be, probably, a lot to be said about this,' Vrabel said. 'I think it would file under the category of, is it interesting or important? I would probably say this would be very interesting.

'But in the end, not very important to our preparation or what we need to continue to try to do to improve as a team. But having spent six years there or seven years there, I think it'll be nice to see some people that I haven't seen in a few years that helped us win, players and staff. But we've got a huge job here to do as we prepare for them.'

While he might not want the attention or spotlight sure to follow his return to the Music City, credit Vrabel for a dramatic turnaround of the passing offense and run defense. New England hasn't allowed 50 rushing yards to any ballcarrier this season and is fourth in the NFL against the run (83.5 rushing yards per game).

Second-year quarterback Drake Maye is second in the NFL with a 73.2 completion percentage and the Patriots are sixth in the NFL in passing.

Vrabel was 54-45 as Titans head coach, winning back-to-back AFC South titles in 2020 and 2021. They're 4-19 since firing Vrabel in January 2024. They're again in the midst of a transition after Vrabel's replacement, Brian Callahan, was fired earlier this week. Mike McCoy is the interim coach running the team this week.

Tom Brady was still the Patriots' quarterback in 2019 when New England last had a start this successful. They opened with eight consecutive wins and went 12-4 that season before Brady left to Tampa Bay after being eliminated from the playoffs -- by Vrabel and the Titans.

Brady's highest completion percentage in a full season -- 68.9 in 2007 -- is the standing team record.

New England was 1-5 after six games each of the past two seasons.

--Field Level Media