Four key sequences in the Patriots' victory over the Titans through video analysis, including:
• A key early defensive hold thanks to some pressure from Harold Landy and Khyiris Tonga
• Drake Maye key throws and a little luck on Austin Hooper TD drive
• Titans safety falling asleep on Kayshon Boutte's touchdown
• Key third down conversion to Stefon Diggs thanks to two rookies sorting out a game
1-10-NE 44 (14:41) (No Huddle, Shotgun) T.Spears right end to NE 43 for 1 yard (C.Elliss; C.Davis).PENALTY on TEN-J.Latham, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at NE 44 - No Play.
1-20-TEN 46 (14:23) (Shotgun) C.Ward pass short right to T.Pollard to NE 46 for 8 yards (M.Williams).
2-12-NE 46 (13:42) (Shotgun) T.Pollard right end pushed ob at NE 43 for 3 yards (C.Davis; H.Landry).
3-9-NE 43 (13:03) (Shotgun) C.Ward sacked at NE 45 for -2 yards (K.Chaisson).
The Titans, already leading 10-3, are driving again into Patriots' territory and threatening to go up 13-3 or 17-3 early in the second quarter.
The Patriots earn a holding flag, which comes from Landry, but Tonga was also held on the play. The Titans are not good enough to fall behind the sticks, so this was a huge play.
Milton Williams makes a great hustle play on the screen to Tony Pollard, and Landry's super wide alignment — not sure if that was on purpose or a happy coincidence — completely screws up the Titan's blocking on this crack toss, which should have worked.
On third down, the Patriots show all-out blitz but drop out. Tyjae Spears should have picked up Landry's stunt but he never sees him. If he did, Ward has a receiver coming open.
2-12-TEN 49 (8:52) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass short left to K.Boutte pushed ob at TEN 33 for 16 yards (R.McCreary).
1-10-TEN 33 (8:15) T.Henderson up the middle to TEN 31 for 2 yards (S.Joseph).
2-8-TEN 31 (7:34) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass deep right to M.Hollins ran ob at TEN 9 for 22 yards.
1-9-TEN 9 (6:59) R.Stevenson up the middle to TEN 7 for 2 yards (T.Sweat; C.Gray).
2-7-TEN 7 (6:22) (Shotgun) D.Maye scrambles left end pushed ob at TEN 3 for 4 yards (C.Barton; Q.Diggs).
3-3-TEN 3 (5:38) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass short left to A.Hooper for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN
Maye should have been picked off on second down because Will Campbell gets walked back into Maye, stepping on the QB's foot and allowing him to be hit as he threw. But the ball gets there. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.
Maye makes a ridiculous throw to Mack Hollins along the right sideline, but I'm not sure this was the correct read. It would make more sense for Maye to work the left side of the field to TreVeyon Henderson, but Maye makes it work as usual.
Campell false-started on the Hooper touchdown, which was a better catch than throw, but the flag didn't come out (I also think Rhamondre Stevenson moved early on his touchdown).
1-10-TEN 39 (:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) D.Maye pass deep middle to K.Boutte for 39 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Titans safety Quandre Diggs literally stands still and fall asleeps, which hangs L'Jarius Snead out to drive. I have no idea what Diggs was doing on this play. If this was Kyle Dugger, I would roast him. Just a terrible play but it seems like the Patriots knew they might get that out of him at some point.
3-8-NE 14 (13:51) (Shotgun) D.Maye pass deep middle to S.Diggs to NE 38 for 24 yards (X.Woods; R.McCreary).
The Titans' win probably went from 22% to 16% on this play. Maye had three open receivers on this play. The key was Wilson and Campbell sorting out a game they wouldn't have about a month ago. Development.