Mike Vrabel got some payback over his former team by leading the New England Patriots to a decisive Week 7 win over the Tennessee Titans. After the game, the head coach received praise from his old boss. Former Titans general manager Ran Carthon fired Vrabel after a disappointing 2023 season. Dismissed himself in January, Carthon now works as an NFL analyst for CBS Sports. Carthon applauded the Patriots following Sunday’s 31-13 victory at Nissan Stadium, but he’s still not predicting a new AFC East champion. “I’m all in with the Patriots,” Carthon said. “This was a team I picked very early in the season to make the playoffs, the wild card. I still think it’s Buffalo’s division to win.” The Patriots improved to 4-0 away from Gillette Stadium, the only AFC team unbeaten on the road. Carthon credited that success to Vrabel’s high preparation level. Story continues below advertisement “You talk about going on the road and being able to win football games, that is a Mike Vrabel-coached team,” he said. “Having been in those meetings with Mike Vrabel, and the attention to detail that he requires out of his players, they’re gonna understand situational football from the top to the bottom.” Carthon also pointed to the hiring of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as a major turning point for Drake Maye. He compared Maye’s efficient season to that of college quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a Heisman Trophy candidate for the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers. “You bring in a qualified offensive coordinator that understands how to dissect the defense, and all you have to do is listen until you earn your stripes where you have a voice like Tom (Brady) once had,” Carthon said. “And this kid is showing that he’s listening.” Story continues below advertisement The Patriots can take one step closer to the playoffs by beating the Cleveland Browns in Week 8.