Marcus Mariota sidelined for rest of season

At 3-11 with nothing much to play for, it makes sense for the Titans to hold Mariota out and give the rest of the season to backup Zach Mettenberger. The second overall pick has completed 62.2 percent of his passes for 2,818 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Mariota missed two games in October due to an MCL sprain in his left knee after an illegal hit by Miami’s Olivier Vernon.

“I want to play every game – that has kind of been my mentality since I was a kid, ” Mariota said.

With the win, the Patriots could clinch a bye in the playoffs, depending on the outcomes of Cincinnati’s game with San Francisco and Denver’s game with Pittsburgh.

The Titans play at home against Houston on December 27 before finishing the season at Indianapolis on January 3.

“I think all that’s kind of wishful thinking, truthfully”, Brady said when asked if the offense could simply shift back into high gear when it gets healthier. White turned a simple screen pass into a 30-yard touchdown reception, and Iosefa demonstrated an impressive ability to run through would-be tacklers. Still, Brady has proven that as the team gets deeper and deeper into the season, he remains on his game.

Mariota, who was still wearing his helmet while standing on the sideline, is questionable to return with a right knee injury. Tom Brady completed all seven of his passes and converted all three third downs on the drive, capping things off with a three-yard toss to Rob Gronkowski.

New England’s Dont’a Hightower (knee), receiver Danny Amendola (knee) and safety Patrick Chung (hip) all left the game with injuries and did not return. New England was already without Julian Edelman and pass-catching running back Dion Lewis.

“What guys won’t do for years, he’s had in his rookie year”, Mularkey said of Mariota. Instead, they have recorded their sixth straight season with at least 12 wins.

And it’s not just Mariota, who has been sacked 38 times.

Although the Titans had a rough season, Mariota has had an impressive rookie season. After Collins intercepted Mettenberger and ran it back 51 yards to the Titans’ 16, Gostkowski added another field goal to clinch it. 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.