Patriots hold top spot in AFC with 33-16 win over Titans

The Patriots Running Game is also been bit by the injury bug with former Oregon Running Back LeGarrettee Blount out for the remainder of the year with a hip injury and Dion Lewis also not set to return to the field this season.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) – The Tennessee Titans weren’t about to risk losing quarterback Marcus Mariota for the rest of their losing season. With the Bengals and Broncos both playing afternoon games, New England could very well have a bye lined up before numerous players get home for the evening.

Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola re-aggrevated his left knee injury late in the second quarter and did not return to action. “I wanted to go back in right away”, he said.

The result elevated the 12-2 Patriots to a dominating lead across the whole AFC.

The Patriots return to action on Sunday, December 27th when they visit the New York Jets. Tom Brady threw 22 of 30 for 226 yards with two TDs, and the Pats got 116 rushing yards in the game, as well.

New England’s defense had five sacks, two fourth-quarter interceptions and scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery. When Gronk is available, the team immediately gains a viable taget in the receiving game, a downfield decoy and an extra blocker on the line. “The amusing thing is when a big guy gets a touchdown, no matter what, it’s going to be amusing because it doesn’t look normal and it doesn’t happen on a regular basis”. “You’re just trying to do what you can to be productive”.

“Twelve wins, that’s on the right track here”, coach Bill Belichick said.

The rookie quarterback was sacked to end the next drive, too.

On in relief of an injured Marcus Mariota (knee), Zach Mettenberger completed 20-of-28 passes for 242 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in Tennessee’s Week 15 loss to the Patriots. He limped a bit to the sideline and was then limping as he paced up and down the sideline. After Collins intercepted Mettenberger and ran it back 51 yards to the Titans’ 16, Gostkowski added another field goal to clinch it. Mariota, the second overall pick in the draft, missed the next two games with a sprained medial collateral ligament and never again played for his initial National Football League coach. He has played in 19 games (10 starts) in his two seasons with the Falcons.

“We’ve got fight – that’s the positive side, ” Walker said. They traveled 79 yards in 11 plays, using almost 6½ minutes and converting three third downs along the way, including a 29-yard catch and run by Brandon LaFell. They made it 14-0 when Chandler Jones strip-sacked Mariota at the Tennessee 17; Hicks chased the ball and knocked it into the end zone before falling on it for the touchdown. New England is missing several key player and potentially their starting quarterback against a team whose competitiveness isn’t reflected in their record.