The Patriots thoroughly dominant 35-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans was never really in doubt. After spotting the visitors a 7-0 lead after the first quarter, New England assumed control with a 21-point second quarter and never looked back.

There were plenty of big plays and potential turning points along the way, including a controversial reversal of a penalty called against the Patriots that wound up going against Tennessee, giving the Patriots a first down. That sequence led to a touchdown and a 21-7 lead, and the created the scenario that led to New England's satisfying moment of the game.

The Titans took over at their own 25 with 1:52 left in the first half trailing by 14. A scoring dive by the Titans, followed potentially by another to open the second half could have gotten Tennessee back in the game. With plenty of time and two timeouts at his disposal, Marcus Mariota went to work.

The Titans quarterback hit Eric Decker for 12 yards to start the drive, and an illegal contact penalty on Eric Rowe gave Tennessee another first down. Soon the Titans managed to move into Patriots territory when Mariota scrambled 9 yards to the 46, setting up a huge play.

The run came on third-and-10, and Titans coach Mike Mularkey called timeout with :25 left to discuss the fourth-and-one play. A conversion would have at least given the Titans a chance to close the half with a field goal, which would have cut the lead to 21-10 at half and given the team some life heading into the locker room.

It wasn't to be. Titans running back Derrick Henry tried to make his way over left tackle but was stuffed. He then bounced it outside where he was swarmed by a host of Patriots tacklers before eventually being dropped by Malcolm Butler and Stephon Gilmore for a 5-yard loss.

Instead of gathering steam, the Titans were defeated and offered little resistance the rest of the way after the satisfying stop on fourth down.