Titans Caught in New England Snow Storm
By: Phil Shore, YawkeyTalkies Correspondent
If you had Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Randy Moss, or anyone else on the Patriots offense for that matter on your fantasy team yesterday (including kicker Stephen Gostkowski and the forgotten running back Laurence Maroney) you were having a great day. Heck, if for some bizarre reason you not only had Brian Hoyer on your team but you also started him he even rewarded you with nine completions, 52 yards, and a rushing touchdown (however, I wouldn’t recommend continuing to start him).
The Patriots beat up on a winless Tennessee Titans team yesterday 59-0, setting franchise records for points (59) and total offense (619 yards) in a game, and Brady set a record for most touchdown passes in a single quarter (5).
Head Coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots O came into the game with a clear gameplan: throw the ball. Even though the game was a blowout, the Patriots threw the ball 45 times, compared to 30 rushing attempts.
The Patriots planned on taking advantage of the Titans defense, a team that had the second-worse passing defense in the league. Not only were they already one of the league’s worst, they were missing both starting cornerbacks and a safety all due to injury. The Titans D was not going to be able to stop a Patriot attack that reminded many fans of the 2007 17-1 team.
Everyone looked sharp, even in the snow storm.
Also aiding the passing attack was the great job done by rookie offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer, filling in for the injured Matt Light. Vollmer did not allow a single sack, even though he was matched up against Kyle Vanden Bosch, one of the top defensive ends in the NFL.
Patriots fans were expecting an offensive explosion from this team at some point. What they weren’t expecting was how great the defense played.
Obviously, the shutout was amazing. However, they also caught two interceptions, caused six fumbles—recovering three of them, and held the Titans to -7 passing yards. No positive yardage for the passing game. The only thing that Patriots fans can complain about is allowing Chris Johnson to rush for 128 yards. However, Johnson is second in the NFL in rushing, and the Pats didn’t allow him to get into the end zone, so cut them some slack.
New England fans should follow their team’s usual lead though and not get too excited. The victory did come against a winless team. It was against a depleted pass defense that was already bad to begin with. Don’t expect 59 points every week, or a shutout for that matter.
However, it’s Monday. For now, definitely enjoy the blowout spectacle. Enjoy the Pats success. Enjoy having sole possession of first place in the AFC East.
And if you were lucky enough to have Brady and/or company on your fantasy team, enjoy your win this weekend.
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