Pro Sports

Stidham rallies Patriots to 22-17 victory over Titans

Posted August 17, 2019 7:00 am

By TERESA M. WALKER

New England Patriots quarterback Jarrett Stidham (4) scrambles against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski) The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Marcus Mariota jumped into the air and flipped over Patriots cornerback Duron Harmon into the end zone for a 2-point conversion.

In a preseason game nearly eight months after the Titans quarterback couldn't play in Tennessee's regular-season finale because of nerve injuries. Mariota scored, then went to the bench for an earful from teammates.

"They told me not to do it again," Mariota said.

Rookie Jarrett Stidham rallied the New England Patriots to a 22-17 victory over the Titans on Saturday night, throwing a 23-yard touchdown pass to Damoun Patterson with 4:12 left to cap another big performance off the bench.

Stidham picked up where he left off in his previous trip to Nissan Stadium. Stidham had five TD passes here helping Auburn rout Purdue in the Music City Bowl last December. This time the rookie was 14 of 19 for 193 yards helping the Patriots (2-0) come back from a 17-8 halftime deficit showing why New England drafted him in the fourth round in April.

"Stidham has a good arm," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "I think he throws the ball accurately. I think he has shown that all the way through from Baylor to Auburn to his pro day and his spring workouts, so I do really think that has been the issue."

Two days of practices against the Titans was enough for Belichick to let Tom Brady watch a second straight exhibition game with New England's options at wide receiver thin because of injuries.

Mariota started for the Titans (1-1) and shook off a pair of three-and-outs before his best drive this preseason. He capped a 10-play, 87-yard drive with an 11-yard TD pass to his favorite target, three-time Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker, who broke his right ankle in the 2018 season opener.

Coach Mike Vrabel let Mariota go for 2 against his old team. Mariota looked to throw, then ran to the end zone before going into the air and flipping over Harmon for an 8-0 lead. Mariota was 6 of 9 for 63 yards passing.

"After he got in, I went up to him, and I was like, 'Bruh . be careful,'" Walker said.

Brian Hoyer's first offensive series ended quickly. Logan Ryan, the former Patriots cornerback, stepped in front of receiver Braxton Berrios for an interception. Hoyer was 6 of 8 for 55 yards. Stidham bounced back after his first play ended up in a safety after a holding penalty on the Patriots.

"He performed well," Patriots receiver Dontrelle Inman said of Stidham. "He's a young kid and has a lot to learn. But he's picking up things well in this league."

Brandon Bolden and Nick Brossette each ran for a TD for the Patriots.

Ryan Tannehill, added in a trade from Miami in March to upgrade the Titans' backup quarterback, was 7 of 11 for 84 yards with a TD pass and a sack. Logan Woodside took over just before halftime and finished the game.

WHO'S AT RECEIVER

Julian Edelman didn't play as he recovers from an injured thumb, and neither did Phillip Dorsett, N'Keal Harry - the Patriots' first-round draft pick nor Cameron Meredith. The Patriots started Inman and rookie Gunner Olszewski, an undrafted free agent from Division II Bemidji State.

JOSH GORDON

The receiver can rejoin the Patriots on Sunday after the NFL conditionally reinstated the receiver Friday night after suspending him indefinitely in December 2018 for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Belichick issued a statement Saturday before kickoff that Gordon's situation has been a league matter. He declined to comment after the game when asked if the Patriots would get a roster exemption for Gordon.

"When Josh returns to our program, we will evaluate the entire situation and do what we feel is best for Josh and the team," Belichick said in his statement.

FLIPPING TITANS

Mariota wasn't the only member of the Titans to flip into the end zone. Jeremy McNichols flipped into the end zone after catching a swing pass and going 15 yards. Mariota gave McNichols' flip a higher grade than his own.

INJURIES

Patriots LB Shilique Calhoun was taken to the sideline medical tent with a right leg injury. Patriots DE Derek Rivers also hurt a right leg and went to the locker room.

UP NEXT

Patriots: Host Carolina on Thursday night.

Titans: Host Pittsburgh on Aug. 25.

___

AP Freelance Writer Terry McCormick also contributed.

___

Follow Teresa M. Walker at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker

___

More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) flips into the end zone as he converts a 2-point conversion against the New England Patriots in the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski) The Associated Press

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel before a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. Brady and Vrabel were teammates when Vrabel played for the Patriots. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski) The Associated Press

Tennessee Titans running back Jeremy McNichols (30) scores a touchdown as he is defended by New England Patriots linebacker Calvin Munson (48) in the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney) The Associated Press

Tennessee Titans strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (24) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) in the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski) The Associated Press

New England Patriots running back Brandon Bolden (38) scores a touchdown on a 1-yard run against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski) The Associated Press

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) yawns as he sits on the sideline in the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. The Patriots won 22-17. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski) The Associated Press

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline in the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers Football NFL NHL Pro Sports Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.