It was closer than it should have been, but the New England Patriots defeated the Tennessee Titans 33-16 on Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium.
Advertisement
Quarterback Tom Brady said Gronkowski was tough all game long for the Patriots. Mettenberger replaced him and completed 20 of 28 passes for 242 yards, two touchdowns – both to Delanie Walker – and two interceptions.
Marcus Mariota was injured in the second quarter of the contest, and did not return. The Titans lost five yards – Mariota was sacked by Collins on third down – and settled for a 49-yard field goal.
The Patriots appeared to take another hit on the injury front when linebacker Dont’a Hightower – who started the game in his return from a knee issue – left the game late in the third and limped to the locker room.
White had just one carry for 6 yards and hasn’t developed as a threat on the ground for the Patriots.
New England led 24-3 at halftime. Gostkowski missed just his second field goal attempt of the season and his first from inside of 50 yards…. The last time the Titans visited New England, in October 2009, they were manhandled 59-0. PROBABLE: WR Danny Amendola (knee), CB Justin Coleman (hand), TE Rob Gronkowski (not injury related), DE Chandler Jones (abdomen), C Bryan Stork (not injury related).
-QB Marcus Mariota wasn’t hurt seriously when he left with a knee injury. It was his fifth game without a pick; he has thrown for 19 touchdowns in that span. He became the first player in National Football League history with three or more TD passes without an interception in a five-game stretch in National Football League history.
“I’d say to be 12-2 is a good record”, Brady said.
The Patriots return to action on Sunday, December 27th when they visit the New York Jets. He needs 214 yards passing for 3,000 yards this season, which would make him the first Tennessee quarterback to reach that mark since 2011. He trailed off to the bench to get medical attention then left for the locker room and was downgraded from questionable to out later in the game. Titans interim head coach Mike Mularkey is 0-5 vs. Patriots and Bill Belichick.
Another week, more injuries for New England.
The Patriots (12-2) finished a 7-1 home season and are sure of earning the top seed. Douglas didn’t try to come back to get it and cornerback Malcolm Butler picked it off.
Advertisement
Brady needs to average 297.5 yards in the final two games of the regular season to reach 5,000 yards for the second time in his career.
