AP Photo/Steven Senne

FOXBOROUGH- The final score in yesterday’s Patriots would indicate that they dominated the Titans in their 36-13 win but the truth is, they didn’t. The score is misleading.

The Patriots led 16-13 at the half but the Titans had outplayed them for most of the half. Perhaps the reason it felt that way was because Tennessee’s running game was so effective.

The Titans rushed for 270 yards as a team. Dontrell Hilliard and D’onta Foreman both rushed for 100 yards in the game and the Titans dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

When asked why the Titans running game presents so many problems, Belichick went straight to the point.

“They did a better job of coaching it than we did. We have to coach and play better.”

The second half was a different story. The Patriots took control of the game, out scoring the Titans 20-0. It was the passing game that allowed the Patriots to pull away. The highlight of the half was a spectacular 41 yard touchdown catch by Bourne. He caught a crossing pattern and tippy toed his way down the right sideline for the score. Belichick talked about how important Bourne’s performance was today.

“KB has given us a lot of explosive plays through the course of the years. He made a great catch and run here today and I thought Jakobi [Meyers] made a really timely block on the sideline to kind of get KB down there and KB ran well on the sideline, didn’t go out of bounds, fought for the extra yards. Had a nice, stiff arm. Finished the run, so that was it. It was a great play by KB. He’s done that a few times. You know, those explosive plays are just such game-changers and obviously today we didn’t do a great job in the red area. We left a lot of points on the field but when you get a play like that where you can run it in last 40 yards and not have to – not have to run a dozen plays down in the red area makes it a lot easier. Love to see those plays happen. Obviously missed a couple opportunities there earlier in the game. But that was a great play.”

When he met with the media after the game, Bourne admitted he didn’t think he was going to score on the play.

“I definitely thought I was going to get hit. Shoutout to Jakobi [Meyers] with the great block. That was what made the whole play. He’s been doing that his whole career, blocking really well, and he caught a really good block right there. Giving that extra effort he gave really spurred me, so shoutout to him, but just a good play overall by the whole group.”

The play proved to be a turning point because the Patriots were nursing a six point lead at the time. It allowed them to pull away and it took Tennessee out of their game plan.

Games like this can be frustrating from a coaching standpoint. It is great that the Patriots won but they have plenty of to work on. They’ll go back to the drawing board ahead of next Monday night’s showdown in Buffalo.

For now, they can savor a hard fought victory that looks like a blow out from afar.