FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) – The New England Patriots moved one step closer to a first-round bye in playoffs. The Tennessee Titans’ future is very much in doubt.
Tom Brady threw for two touchdowns to help the Patriots hold onto the top spot in the AFC, beating Tennessee 33-16 on Sunday and knocking Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota out with a knee injury in the first half.
The 2014 Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft, Mariota left the game and did not return after being sacked to stop consecutive second-quarter possessions.
Brady completed 23 of 35 passes for 267 yards for New England (12-2). James White caught seven passes for 71 yards, including a 30-yard catch-and-run touchdown, and Keshawn Martin added a 75-yard kickoff return to set up another score.
Rob Gronkowski caught a 5-yard score, and Akiem Hicks fell on the ball in the end zone after Jamie Collins’ strip-sacked Mariota for New England’s other TD.