GAME NOTES: White Leads Patriots Past Titans

Things might have gotten a bit inconsistent on offense, but the New England Patriots moved one step closer to clinching a first-round bye Sunday afternoon.

Tom Brady threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns and James White had 107 all-purpose yards as the Patriots beat the Tennessee Titans 33-16.

With the win, the Patriots have now have six straight seasons with at least 12 wins and the 10th in franchise history. Only the Indianapolis Colts have had more 12-win seasons in a row with seven from 2003-09.

Playing With a Heavy Heart

It was by no means an easy week for tight end Rob Gronkowski, who found himself dealing with the loss of a close friend.

After scoring the first touchdown of the game, a five-yard catch with 7:10 left in the first quarter, Gronkowski pointed to the sky in honor of Dana Parenteau, a close family friend.

Prior to the game, Gronkowski posted on his Facebook page, “This one’s for Dana.”

Defense Gets to the Quarterback

Continuing a streak of getting a sack in every game this year, the Patriots earned five sacks on Marcus Mariota and Zach Mettenberger, including two from Chandler Jones.

Early in the second quarter, the defensive end was able to knock the ball out of Mariota’s hand on the windup, forcing a sack and a fumble which was then fumbled by Jones at the Tennessee seven and recovered by Akiem Hicks for a touchdown.

Jones added a third quarter sack to push his 2015 total to a career-high 12 ½ sacks, beating his previous best of 11 ½ sacks in 2013.

Different Running Back, Same Results

James White also appeared to get more comfortable in what was formerly the Dion Lewis role, scoring on a 30-yard screen pass to make it a 21-3 game after the extra point with 9:23 left in the first half.

White showed patience on the play, waiting for his blocks to develop including two from Brandon LaFell and Danny Amendola, which allowed for a clear path to the goalline.

For White, it was his fifth touchdown in as many games and the most for any Patriots player during that span.

Chances are most Patriots fans didn’t know who Joey Iosefa was before this week. After a game-best 51 yards on the ground, the running back likely caught the eye of many at Gillette Stadium.

The Hawaii graduate’s best run game on a 15-yard run on New England’s fourth drive of the game. Appearing to plow through defenders, the run took the Patriots down to the Tennessee 33 and would help lead to a 43-yard field goal from Stephen Gostkowski.

A Strong Day for Collins

Jamie Collins intercepted a Zach Mettenberger pass intended for Delanie Walker in the fourth quarter and returned it 51 yards to give the Patriots possession at the Titans’ 16. The turnover would set up Stephen Gostkowski’s 32-yard field goal that gave the Patriots a 33-16 lead with 1:06 left in the game.

The interception was Collins’s first of the season and the third of his regular-season career. He also has two career playoff interceptions.

Collins also sacked Titans QB Marcus Mariota for an 8-yard sack on third down in the second quarter, and Tennessee settled for a field goal on the next play.

Playoff Scenarios

With the AFC East title locked up, the Patriots are guaranteed a spot in the AFC Playoffs and can clinch a bye to the divisional round if Cincinnati loses to San Francisco or if Denver loses to Pittsburgh and Cincinnati and San Francisco tie.

Below are game notes provided by Patriots Media Relations:

PATRIOTS CONTINUE DECEMBER REIGN

The Patriots won their second consecutive December game to improve to a league-leading 54-9 (.857) in December games since 2001.

HIGHEST DECEMBER WIN PCT (2001-15)

Team W L T PCT.

New England 54 9 0 .857

Pittsburgh* 45 18 0 .714

Green Bay* 43 19 0 .694

Philadelphia* 43 20 0 .683

Indianapolis 42 23 0 .646

*-Not Including Week 15 Game

NEW ENGLAND HAS THE BEST RECORD SINCE 2010 IN FINAL FOUR GAMES

New England has posted an NFL-best 19-3 (.864) record in the final four games of the regular season since 2010, including a 3-1 record down the stretch last season en route to a Super Bowl XLIX title.

Best records in the final four games of the regular season since 2010:

Team W-L Record Win PCT.

New England Patriots 19-3 .864

Carolina Panthers 16-6 .727

Green Bay Packers* 15-6 .714

Pittsburgh Steelers* 15-6 .714

Indianapolis Colts 15-7 .682

San Diego Chargers* 14-7 .667

*-Not Including Week 15 Game

THE PATRIOTS HAVE WON 21 STRAIGHT HOME GAMES AGAINST NON-DIVISION AFC OPPONENTS

The Patriots have now won 21 straight home games against non-division AFC opponents. Their last loss to a non-division AFC team was a 33-10 loss vs. Pittsburgh on Nov. 30, 2008.

QUICK HITS

• The Patriots tied their 2015 season high by forcing three Titans turnovers (2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery). The Patriots also forced three turnovers at Buffalo on Sept. 20.
• The Patriots have allowed opponents to score 269 points in 2015 (19.2 points per game). The Patriots have allowed fewer than 20 points per game in nine of the last 14 seasons, dating back to 2001, which is the second-most in the NFL over that span (Baltimore, 10).

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

BELICHICK IS IMPRESSIVE IN DECEMBER

Bill Belichick is 55-11 (.833) in December with New England, the best record in December among head coaches with one team in NFL history (min. 25 games). George Seifert is second (27-6, .818).

BRADY LEADS THE PATRIOTS TO 12 WINS FOR THE 10TH TIME

Since entering the NFL in 2000, Tom Brady’s teams have reached 12 regular-season wins in 10 different seasons, second all-time, behind Peyton Manning.

Starting QBs with the most 12-win Regular Seasons in NFL History

Player Seasons

1. Peyton Manning 11
2. Tom Brady 10
3. Brett Favre 6
4. John Elway 4
5. Jim Kelly 4

BRADY TIED NFL RECORD FOR MOST SEASONS WITH 35 TDS; BRADY JOINS MANNING WITH 4 SEASONS OF 35 TDS

Tom Brady threw two first-half touchdown passes to reach 35 touchdowns for 2015. He now joins Peyton Manning as the only NFL quarterbacks with four seasons with 35 or more touchdowns

QBS WITH THE MOST 35+ PASSING TOUCHDOWNS IN NFL HISTORY

PLAYER 35+ TD SEASONS

Tom Brady 4 (50 in 2007, 36 in 2010 and 39, 2011, 35 in 2015)

Peyton Manning 4 (49 in 2004, 37 in 2012, 55 in 2013, 39 in 2014)

Brett Favre 3 (38 in 1995, 39 in 1996 and 35 in 1997)

Drew Brees 3 (46 in 2011, 43 in 2012 and 39 in 2013)

Aaron Rodgers 3 (45 in 2011, 39 in 2012 and 38 in 2014).

BRADY ONE OF THE BEST FINAL FOUR QUARTERBACKS

Tom Brady is one of the best final four quarterbacks in the NFL.

QBs with the best records in the final four games of the year since 1970

(minimum 20 starts)

Quarterback W-L Record WIN PCT.

Tom Brady 45-9 .833

Philip Rivers* 30-7 .811

Roger Staubach 24-6 .800

Joe Montana 35-12 .745

Steve McNair 28-10 .737

*-Not Including Week 15 Game

TOM BRADY GETTING CLOSE TO SECOND CAREER 5,000-YARD SEASON

Tom Brady has 4,405 yards passing through 14 games in 2015. Brady needs to average 297.5 yards in the final two games to reach 5,000 yards.

Most Passing Yards in a Season

Player Yards

1. Peyton Manning (2013) 5,477
2. Drew Brees (2011) 5,476
3. Tom Brady (2011) 5,235
4. Drew Brees (2012) 5,177
5. Drew Brees (2013) 5,162
6. Dan Marino (1984) 5,084
7. Drew Brees (2008) 5,069
8. Matthew Stafford (2011) 5,038

GRONK MOVING UP

Rob Gronkowski has 65 career touchdowns overall (64 receiving, 1 rushing), which ranks

second in team history to the 68 total touchdowns by Stanley Morgan. He stands alone

with the most TDs by a Patriots tight end.

MOST CAREER TOUCHDOWNS BY A PATRIOTS PLAYER

Player Touchdowns

1. Stanley Morgan 68 (67 rec, 1 ret)

2. Rob Gronkowski 65 (64, rec, 1 rush)

3. Ben Coates 50

4. Randy Moss 50

5. Sam Cunningham 49

6. Jim Nance 46

7. Tony Collins 44

MOST TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS BY A PATRIOTS PLAYER

Player Touchdowns

1. Stanley Morgan 67

2. Rob Gronkowski 64

2. Ben Coates 50

2. Randy Moss 50

GRONK-BRADY MOVES INTO SOLE POSSESSION OF 8TH PLACE

Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady connected on a 5-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter for the 64th touchdown connection between the two. That moved them out of a tie with Johnny Unitas and Raymond Berry (63) for sole possession of 8th place for most touchdown connections all-time. Jim Kelly-Andree Reed are in 7th place with 65 touchdown connections.

GRONKOWSKI ON PACE TO CHALLENGE HIS OWN RECORD

Rob Gronkowski has 1,072 passing yards in 2015 and is on pace to finish the 2015 season with 1,225 receiving yards. Gronkowski holds the NFL record for most receiving yards by a tight end with 1,327 receiving yards in 2011.

MOST RECEIVING YARDS BY A TIGHT END

Player Yards Year

1. Rob Gronkowski 1,327 2011
2. Jimmy Graham (NO) 1,310 2011
3. Kellen Winslow (SD) 1,290 1980
4. Tony Gonzalez (KC) 1,258 2004
5. Todd Christensen (Raiders) 1,247 1983

GOSTKOWSKI ON PACE TO CHALLENGE NFL RECORD FOR POINTS

Stephen Gostkowski has 139 points through 14 games in 2015, putting him on pace to finish the 2015 season with 159 points. Gostkowski finished first in the NFL in 2014 with 156 points, second only to his team record of 158 points in 2013. Gostkowski led the NFL in scoring in 2014 for the third straight season. He is the first NFL player with three seasons of 150 or more points.

NFL Record for Most Points by a Kicker

• 166 David Akers (SF) in 2011
• 164 Gary Anderson (MIN) in 1998
• 163 Jeff Wilkins (STL in 2003
• 161 Mark Moseley (WAS) in 1983
• 158 Stephen Gostkowski (NE) in 2013
• 157 Mike Vanderjagt (Indianapolis) in 2003
• 156 Stephen Gostkowski (NE) in 2014
• 153 Stephen Gostkowski (NE) in 2012

Patriots Record for Most Points in a Season

• 158 Stephen Gostkowski, 2013
• 156 Stephen Gostkowski, 2014
• 155 Gino Cappelletti, 1964 (includes 7 TDs)
• 153 Stephen Gostkowski, 2012
• 148 Stephen Gostkowski, 2008
• 147 Gino Cappelletti, 1961
• 143 Stephen Gostkowski, 2011

JONES HAS NINTH CAREER MULTIPLE SACK GAME; FOURTH MULITPLE SACK GAME OF 2015

Jones had his ninth career game with multiple sacks and his fourth game in 2015 with multiple sacks.

KESHAWN MARTIN SETS CAREER BEST WITH A 75-YARD KICKOFF RETURN

WR Keshawn Martin set a career best with a 75-yard kickoff return in the second quarter. His previous best was a 54-yard return during his rookie season while with Houston vs. Jacksonville (11-18-12). It is the longest since an 81-yard return by Danny Amendola Nov. 23, 2014 vs. Detroit.

QUICK HITS

• Patrick Chung stopped Tennessee RB Antonio Andrews for no gain on fourth-and-1 at the Patriots’ 38-yard line in the second quarter.
• Jabaal Sheard sacked Titans QB Zach Mettenberger for a 10-yard loss on the final play of the first half.
• Akiem Hicks sacked Tennessee QB Marcus Mariota for a 5-yard loss on second down in the first quarter, forcing the Titans into a third down that they did not convert.
• Sealver Siliga stopped Tennessee FB Jalston Fowler for no gain on third-and-1 in the second quarter, forcing a Titans punt on the next play.
• Jordan Richards broke up a Zach Mettenberger pass intended for Titans WR Dorial Green-Beckham on second down in the third quarter after Mettenberger was pressured by Rob Ninkovich, forcing a third-and-long that the Titans did not convert.
• The Patriots held the Titans to a 25% third-down conversion percentage (3-for-12), marking the fourth time in the last five games that the Patriots have held their opponents to 25% or less on third down. The Patriots have held opponents to 25% or less on third down five times in 2015.
• New England has recovered opponent fumbles in six of the last seven games. In the first seven games of the season, the Patriots recovered opponent fumbles in two games.
• Stephen Gostkowski had four field goals, tying his season high (at Buffalo, Sept. 20).

Photo Credit: New England Patriots