New England Patriots Cruise Past Titans, Marcus Mariota Suffers Knee Injury

Since he was named interim head coach Mike Mularkey has changed the Tennessee Titans’ practice routine, blocking schemes, lineups and play-calling among other things. But Mularkey said Mariota has not been ruled out of the finale with an injury that is less serious than the sprained left knee that kept the quarterback out of two games earlier this season.

The 2014 Heisman Trophy victor and the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft, Mariota left the game and did not return after being sacked to end consecutive second-quarter drives.

Tom Brady threw for two touchdowns to help the Patriots (12-2) hold onto the top spot in the AFC, and the defense knocked Mariota out with a knee injury.

-QB Marcus Mariota (knee) will miss this week’s game after suffering a sprained MCL in his right knee. “You can’t ask for anything better than what he’s been doing for this offense, making plays on his feet when he needed to, and finding the open guys to get them the ball”.

“He will be out this week and evaluated again at the start of next week to see where he’s at”, Mularkey said. I think Chandler and Rob not having to be out there every single snap has also benefitted them and they’ve been very productive, too, so that’s been a really good situation for us.

The Patriots finished a 7-1 home season and clinched a first-round playoff bye.

Despite the win, Patriots suffered more injuries Sunday night as linebacker Dont’a Hightower (knee), receiver Danny Amendola (knee) and safety Patrick Chung (hip) left the game during various junctures.

“I wanted to go back in right away”, Mariota said after the 33-16 loss. The Titans close out the year with games against the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts.

Defensive end Akiem Hicks recovered a fumble and scored New England’s first non-offensive touchdown of the season and Stephen Gostkowski kicked four field goals as the Patriots reached 12 wins for the 10th time (sixth straight year), tying them with the Denver Broncos for third on the NFL’s all-time 1ist. White turned a simple screen pass into a 30-yard touchdown reception, and Iosefa demonstrated an impressive ability to run through would-be tacklers.

Brady completed 23 of 35 passes for 267 yards for New England. I understand that the Patriots were in control throughout most of the second half, but this is not the first time they have not used White enough.

-With Marcus Mariota definitely out this week, the Titans will turn to backup Zach Mettenberger, who will start for the ninth time in his young National Football League career.

-TE Delanie Walker was quiet most of the day but did catch two touchdown passes, a 7-yarder and one that covered 57 yards.