After a dominating first half performance, one in which they built themselves a 21-3 lead, the third quarter of their match-up with the Titans didn't exactly go as the Patriots planned.
After their opening drive of the half stalled near midfield, New England was forced to punt the ball back over to the Titans. Jake Locker and co. wouldn't waste any time, immediately gashing the Patriots' defense for multiple big gains in the passing game.
Tennessee would complete their 80-yard touchdown drive in just four plays when Locker connected with eight-year veteran Nate Washington for a 30-yard score.
Another Patriots' punt would result in the Titans taking over from inside their own 10-yard-line. On the second play of the drive, we'd see the most comical moment of the afternoon when a replacement official ruled in favor of a Devin McCourty interception that was quite obviously an incomplete pass.
On their final drive of the quarter, the Patriots would show the world a previously unseen dimension of their offense. Smashmouth football and hard running from second-year tailback Stevan Ridley would lead to New England's fourth touchdown of the day and a 28-10 advantage after 45 minutes of action.
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