Patriots Overpower Titans 31-13 in Vrabel’s Nashville Return

The New England Patriots secured a commanding 31-13 victory against the Tennessee Titans on October 22, 2023, in Nashville. This game marked the return of coach Mike Vrabel to the franchise that dismissed him earlier in the year. Quarterback Drake Maye delivered a standout performance, throwing for 222 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Patriots to their fourth consecutive win.

The Patriots improved their record to 5-2, maintaining their position at the top of the AFC East. This match also represented Mike McCoy‘s debut as the interim head coach for the Titans, who currently sit at 1-6 for the season. The game began with fans chanting “Vrabel, Vrabel” as the clock wound down, underscoring the emotional backdrop of the event.

Maye achieved a remarkable milestone with a passer rating of 135.9, becoming the third player under 24 years old to record over 200 passing yards and a passer rating above 100 in six consecutive NFL games. He joined the ranks of Patrick Mahomes and Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino in this impressive feat.

In addition to Maye’s success, linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson was pivotal in the game, contributing two of the Patriots’ five sacks and returning a fumble for a touchdown in the second half. Harold Landry III also made his mark by recording a sack against the team that released him earlier this season, while Marcus Jones secured an interception in the waning moments of the game.

The Titans started strong, with quarterback Cam Ward showcasing his potential and putting points on the board early. They led 10-3 at the end of the first quarter, marking the best start to a game for Tennessee this season. Notably, this was more points than they had scored in their previous six games combined, where they had been outscored 47-9.

Ward completed 10 of his first 11 passes for 144 yards, eclipsing his total yardage from prior games this season. He finished the game with 255 passing yards and contributed to the Titans scoring their fourth touchdown of the season.

The tide turned in favor of the Patriots as Maye connected with Kayshon Boutte for a 39-yard touchdown just before halftime, giving New England a 17-13 lead. Earlier in the second quarter, he had thrown a 3-yard touchdown pass to Austin Hooper.

The Patriots then extended their lead significantly in the third quarter. Maye briefly left the field after a hard hit but returned to guide the team on an 88-yard drive, culminating in a 4-yard touchdown run by Rhamondre Stevenson. Just moments later, Chaisson capitalized on a fumble by Ward, returning it four yards for another touchdown.

In terms of injuries, the Titans faced setbacks as three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons exited early with a hamstring injury, while cornerback L’Jarius Sneed also left the game due to a quad injury.

Looking ahead, the Patriots will begin a two-game homestand, starting with a matchup against the Cleveland Browns on October 26, 2023. The Titans, on the other hand, will travel to Indianapolis on the same day, seeking to turn their season around.