slides: 5 Takeaways From the Patriots Win Over the Titans

Monday, December 21, 2015

Joe Calabro, GoLocalWorcester Sports Team

The New England Patriots (12-2) defeated the (3-11) Tennessee Titans 33-16 on Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. The game was the Patriots final home game of the regular season.

See the Five Takeaways Slideshow Below

The Patriots got on the board on their first drive of the game when Tom Brady found Rob Gronkowski for a five yard touchdown pass to put New England up 7-0. The touchdown was Gronkowski's 11th of the season.

At the beginning of the second quarter, New England would get a defensive score after a strip sack by Chandler Jones, Akiem Hicks would recover the ball in the end zone for a touchdown and the Patriots would go up 14-0.

A James White rushing touchdown and a Stephen Gostkowski field goal would give the Patriots a 24-3 lead at the half. The Titans would get as close as 11 points in the second half, 27-16, but never really threatened.

The Patriots would cruise to a win in the second half.

Leading the Way

Tom Brady finished the game 23 of 35 for 267 yards and two touchdowns.

Joey Iosefa led the Patriots running game with 14 carries for 51 yards while Brandon Bolden had 10 carries for 36 yards.

James White led New England with 7 receptions for 71 yards and 1 touchdown, while Brandon LaFell had 4 catches for 88 yards.

Next up

The Patriots return to action on Sunday, December 27th when they visit the New York Jets. Kick off is set for 1 p.m.

Related Slideshow: 5 Takeaways From the Patriots Win Over Tennessee

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Special Teams

Another week and another special teams error from the Patriots.

This one came on a punt return in which Danny Amendola fumbled the ball. Tennessee recovered the fumble and only got a field goal out of it.

Maybe the Patriots should just fair catch the ball from now on.

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More Injuries

Another week and more injuries for the Patriots.

In this game, New England saw receiver Danny Amendola go down in the first half and did not return with a knee injury.

Dont'a Hightower went out in the game as well and did not return to the game.

Late in the fourth quarter, Patrick Chung left the game with what looked to be a rib injury but was reported as a hip injury. Chung did not return to action.

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No McCourty

As somewhat expected, safety Devin McCourty sat out this game nursing an ankle sprain.

This was the perfect game for McCourty to sit out as the Titans offense struggled mighitly.

With that said, Duran Harmon filled in nicely at safety and coverage all over the field was on point.

The Titans passed for 256 yards in the game.

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Running Backs

With Blount out for the season, the Patriots running back situation was a bit in flux.

In the game, the Patriots used three running backs led by Joey Iosefa who was signed off the practice squad this week.

Iosefa had 51 yardso14 carries while Bolden had 36 yrds rushing on 10 carries.

Iosefa and Brandon Bolden led the rushing attack while James White was used mostly in the passing game.

James White had 7 catches for 71 yards in the game.

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Tom Brady

Tom Brady missed practice late in the week due to illness and there was some concern coming into this game, though I don't think many people doubted he was going to play.

Brady went 23 for 35 for 267 yards and two touchdowns.