New England Patriots Must Get James White More Involved

The New England Patriots were outscored by the Tennessee Titans 13-9 in the second half and the team appeared to be lethargic after halftime.

Quarterback Marcus Mariota’s season could be over, although the Tennessee Titans will monitor his injured right knee and make a final determination next week. Mariota, the 2014 Heisman Trophy victor and No 2 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, left the game prematurely after being sacked consecutively during second-quarter possessions.

The injury is similar to one that Mariota sustained to his left knee earlier in the season.

Cardinals 40, Eagles 17: David Johnson ran for 187 yards and three touchdowns, Carson Palmer threw a TD pass and Arizona clinched the NFC West title. If Mariota doesn’t play again this season, Mularkey said the rookie easily has exceeded expectations in a debut year featuring a head coaching change, six different starting offensive line combinations and injuries forcing lineup changes. Running backs Dion Lewis and LeGarrette Blount are among those lost for the season.

Mettenberger was 20 of 28 for 242 yards and two interceptions.

“He’s gained a lot of trust from everybody just based on his performance and his consistency”, said quarterback Tom Brady, who passed for 267 yards and two TDs. Both Danny Amendola and Keshawn Martin have had opportunities and even made a few good returns, but have also fumbled far too many punts to maintain control of games like the Patriots usually do so well.

With two games left in the regular season, White’s role should continue to expand down the stretch and into the playoffs. “I’d rather err on the side of caution”.

Reports on Monday confirmed that Mariota won’t play in the Tennessee Titans’ last two games. Marcus Mariota suffered a sprained MCL in Week 15, and Zach Mettenberger will replace him the rest of the way.

“I wanted to go back in right away”, he said.

Mariota ends his rookie season with solid numbers, though his protection leaves more than a little to be desired. Tight end Rob Gronkowski gained a modest 54 yards on five catches, although one of them was for a touchdown.

“We’ve been able to get all three guys on the field at times and then there have been other times where we’ve kind of been in kind of a three-for-two rotation, and all three players have been very productive”, Belichick said.

Notes: Brady was listed as questionable with an illness on Friday, but he started and played the whole game…. Indianapolis had a record seven straight seasons of 12 or more wins from 2003-09….