FOXBOROUGH — Everything you need to know from the Patriots' victory over the Titans in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Tempo makes a difference: The Patriots' offense got off to a slow start with punts on the first two possessions, but answered the Titans opening score with one of their own early in the second quarter that was powered by a 30-yard screen pass to Dion Lewis. After that, the Patriots used their turbo offense to score on scoring drives of 48 yards and 91 yards to give the Patriots a comfortable 21-7 lead. The Titans couldn't get lined up on defense, and the Patriots were in complete control. The no-huddle wasn't used very much this season because the Patriots were using so many new players. And they don't like to use it when the defense has been on the field a while.
Super Bowl throwback game: The game had a familiar feel to last year's postseason, specifically Super Bowl LI, as Danny Amendola (11 catches, 112 yards), James White (receiving and rushing touchdowns) and Trey Flowers (sack) all had big games.
Officiating will be a topic of discussion, but shouldn't: Judging from my Twitter feed, the national opinion about the officiating in the first half was that it was a bag job for the Patriots. I don't get it. The Eric Decker offensive pass interference was iffy, but I didn't see any calls that weren't legit. People are always looking for conspiracy theories with the Patriots. I love a good one as much as the next guy, but there's nothing to see here.
TURNING POINT
Trailing New England 14-7 with 6:32 left in the first half, the Titans forced the Patriots on a three-and-out at their own 14-yard line, with punter Ryan Allen's feet on his own goalline. A chance for great field position and, with the ball to start the second half, an opportunity for the Titans to tell the Patriots that they weren't going away. But the Titans' best special teams' player, Brynden Trawick, moved into the neutral zone, causing Geneo Grissom to flinch. That was a penalty on the Titans, and it gave the Patriots a first down. They proceeded to score on a 16-play, 91-yard drive to make it 21-7. A potential tie game went to a 14-point lead. The Titans were in a tough spot from that point, and it was self-inflicted.
SECOND GUESS
Nothing on the Patriots' side, but what the heck was this by the Titans on fourth down and after a timeout?
Tennessee?? pic.twitter.com/QV5VknjSEI
— '03 Kliff Kingsbury (@fearthe_beard11) January 14, 2018
THREE UP
Tom Brady: Got off to a slow start, including an uncharacteristic third-down throw off his back foot without pressure around him, but after that, Brady was dealing. He ended up 34 -for-51 for 337 yards and three touchdowns (104.8). Oh, and this play....
Danny Amendola: After having to play so many snaps down the stretch due to the team's injury issues, the veteran receiver had slowed down in the final month. But the week off obviously did him a lot of good, because he was quick and back to his clutch self with 11 catches for 112 yards on 13 targets. Five of Amendola's catches came on third down and they converted each time.
Brady ➡ Dola on 3rd down pic.twitter.com/Lw4oE47SJM
— '03 Kliff Kingsbury (@fearthe_beard11) January 14, 2018
Adam Butler and Deatrich Wise: Butler a sack of his own, but he also had initial pressure on sacks by Wise and Trey Flowers. Wise ended up with two sacks himself. The young pass rushers really made an impact in this one after hitting a little bit of a rookie wall in the latter stages of the season. The Patriots ended up with eight sacks in the game.
Trey Flowers gets the sack! pic.twitter.com/yYA4MWBwlp
— '03 Kliff Kingsbury (@fearthe_beard11) January 14, 2018
Look at the effort by Adam Butler! Great coverage as well. pic.twitter.com/J2t2CuXuBW
— '03 Kliff Kingsbury (@fearthe_beard11) January 14, 2018
THREE DOWN
Brandin Cooks: Finished with just three catches on nine targets for 32 yards. He left a lot of plays on the field, including a beautiful bomb from Brady where Cooks had the opportunity to lay out.
Special teams: Overall the performance of all the units was really good, but four special teams penalties are just not acceptable in the postseason. Those guys are going to get it in film review. Well, after a victory like that, Bill Belichick has to find somebody to yell at in front of the team.
Malcolm Butler: Far from an awful game and it's slim pickings in a game like this, but he gave up some catches early, both Titans' touchdowns, and had a penalty late as well.
INJURIES
LaAdrian Waddle: Left in the second quarter with a knee injury and did not return. Saw him in the locker room after the game moving without much of an issue.
Jonathan Jones: The cornerback had a lower-body injury in the fourth quarter and it didn't look good. Did walk off under his own power.
TOP PLAYS
Going Gronkers.
TD, @RobGronkowski #GoPats pic.twitter.com/KzWQ9x1cmR
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 14, 2018
.@SweetFeet_White, Take II. #GoPats pic.twitter.com/J7wrCncKNv
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 14, 2018
This is a touchdown, and a nifty 5-yard catch-and-run for @sweetfeet_white. #GoPats pic.twitter.com/wECc4LOInN
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 14, 2018
This wasn't a touchdown, but it was a nifty 31-yard catch-and-run for @DionLewisRB. #GoPats pic.twitter.com/gspK3GRK7c
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 14, 2018
Incomplete, but this was a perfect pass by Brady with a guy in his face. pic.twitter.com/s0WJRAzHud
— '03 Kliff Kingsbury (@fearthe_beard11) January 14, 2018
Nice PBU by Gilmore pic.twitter.com/BO9U0cY5K8
— '03 Kliff Kingsbury (@fearthe_beard11) January 14, 2018
THREE TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
The offense is capable of more: The stats were very impressive — 65 percent on third-down conversions, 31 total first downs, 438 total yards, 337 passing yards and 5-for-5 on red-zone conversions — but you got the feeling that the Patriots weren't exactly clicking on all cylinders. That's a good thing, as it leaves room for improvement in the AFC Championship Game. Chris Hogan and James White certainly contributed to the victory in their return to the lineup, but their timing and game legs weren't exactly at 100 percent. This game and another week of practice should make them more dangerous in the next round.
Josh McDaniels had a night: OK, so the Patriots almost always do this against Dick LeBeau defenses, but you have to hand it to McDaniels: he had a nearly perfect night changing up personnel and tactics. The Titans had no clue what was going on for large portions of the game, and that's because McDaniels and Brady were pushing all the right buttons. Biggest clue: the Patriots actually had a screen go for 31 yards. I mean, someone's living right if that happens.
Steelers or bust: Come on, Pittsburgh, don't let us all down. I'm sure there are some Patriots fans who would be just fine with Blake Bortles and the Jaguars upsetting the Steelers on Sunday and coming to Gillette a week from now, but let's get the best opponent in here. Steelers-Patriots II. Do you really want to watch Bortles play against you for an entire game? Watch the Steelers choke. Typical.