New England Patriots vs. Tennessee Titans: 2012 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2012 NFL season on 2012-09-09, the New England Patriots took care of business against the Tennessee Titans, pulling away with a 34–13 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Locker (Tennessee Titans) paced the passing game, with +2.89 total EPA, and +7.4% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Brady (New England Patriots) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.77 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+11.4% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Tennessee Titans changed the game: (10:37) (Shotgun) 10-J.Locker pass deep left to 85-N.Washington to NE 13 for 24 yards (24-K.Arrington).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 T. Brady · New England Patriots · Passing · +9.77 total EPA · 32 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Gronkowski · New England Patriots · Receiving · +7.67 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.28 EPA/play
3. 3 S. Ridley · New England Patriots · Rushing · +6.52 total EPA · 21 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
4. 4 A. Hernandez · New England Patriots · Receiving · +4.01 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Cook · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +3.26 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Locker · Tennessee Titans · Passing · +2.89 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
7. 7 K. Wright · Tennessee Titans · Receiving · +2.75 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
8. 8 B. Lloyd · New England Patriots · Receiving · +1.85 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• New England Patriots — A. Hernandez (T. Brady pass) (Q1 47:05)
• New England Patriots — D. Hightower (Q2 41:16)
• New England Patriots — R. Gronkowski (T. Brady pass) (Q2 32:06)
• Tennessee Titans — N. Washington (J. Locker pass) (Q3 25:25)
• New England Patriots — S. Ridley (Q3 16:08)

Field goals

• Tennessee Titans — R. Bironas (Q1 53:47)
• Tennessee Titans — R. Bironas (Q4 9:20)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q4 4:19)
• New England Patriots — S. Gostkowski (Q4 0:35)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: New England Patriots won the period 7–3. Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the NE 10 (Q1 53:47) — (8:47) (Field Goal formation) 2-R.Bironas 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the TEN 23 (Q1 47:05) — (2:05) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle to 81-A.Hernandez for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q1 46:59) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko..

The second quarter: New England Patriots won the period 14–0. New England Patriots found the end zone from the NE 93 (Q2 41:16); New England Patriots added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q2 41:07) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the TEN 2 (Q2 32:06); New England Patriots added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q2 32:00) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Tennessee Titans found the end zone from the NE 29 (Q3 25:25) — (10:25) (Shotgun) 10-J.Locker pass deep right to 85-N.Washington for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tennessee Titans added 1 points from the NE 2 (Q3 25:17) — 2-R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; New England Patriots found the end zone from the TEN 1 (Q3 16:08) — (1:08) 22-S.Ridley left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New England Patriots added 1 points from the TEN 2 (Q3 16:04) — 3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko..

The fourth quarter: New England Patriots won the period 6–3. Tennessee Titans connected on a field goal from the NE 6 (Q4 9:20) — (9:20) (Field Goal formation) 2-R.Bironas 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the TEN 7 (Q4 4:19) — (4:19) (Field Goal formation) 3-S.Gostkowski 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.; New England Patriots connected on a field goal from the TEN 13 (Q4 0:35) — (:35) (Field Goal formation) 3-S.Gostkowski 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Tennessee Titans (Q1 55:37) — (10:37) (Shotgun) 10-J.Locker pass deep left to 85-N.Washington to NE 13 for 24 yards (24-K.Arrington). [WPA +11.4% · EPA +3.25]
• New England Patriots (Q1 48:30) — (3:30) 12-T.Brady pass short left to 87-R.Gronkowski pushed ob at TEN 39 for 28 yards (32-R.Johnson). [WPA +9.7% · EPA +2.51]
• Tennessee Titans (Q2 41:16) — (11:16) (Shotgun) 10-J.Locker sacked at TEN 1 for -6 yards (95-C.Jones). FUMBLES (95-C.Jones), RECOVERED by NE-54-D.Hightower at TEN 6. 54-D.Hightower for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -9.3% · EPA -5.17]
• New England Patriots (Q1 47:05) — (2:05) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle to 81-A.Hernandez for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.5% · EPA +3.48]
• Tennessee Titans (Q2 44:26) — (14:26) 10-J.Locker pass deep left intended for 85-N.Washington INTERCEPTED by 27-T.Wilson (24-K.Arrington) at NE -3. Touchback. [WPA -8.0% · EPA -3.09]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Tennessee Titans (Q2 41:16) — (11:16) (Shotgun) 10-J.Locker sacked at TEN 1 for -6 yards (95-C.Jones). FUMBLES (95-C.Jones), RECOVERED by NE-54-D.Hightower at TEN 6. 54-D.Hightower for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -9.3% · EPA -5.17]
• New England Patriots (Q1 47:05) — (2:05) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle to 81-A.Hernandez for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.5% · EPA +3.48]
• Tennessee Titans (Q1 55:37) — (10:37) (Shotgun) 10-J.Locker pass deep left to 85-N.Washington to NE 13 for 24 yards (24-K.Arrington). [WPA +11.4% · EPA +3.25]
• Tennessee Titans (Q2 44:26) — (14:26) 10-J.Locker pass deep left intended for 85-N.Washington INTERCEPTED by 27-T.Wilson (24-K.Arrington) at NE -3. Touchback. [WPA -8.0% · EPA -3.09]

Quarterback report card

J.Locker led all passers in efficiency for Tennessee Titans, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Locker (Tennessee Titans) · 38 dropbacks · 60.5% completion · +7.4% CPOE · +0.08 EPA/play · +2.89 total EPA
• T.Brady (New England Patriots) · 32 dropbacks · 71.9% completion · +13.1% CPOE · +0.31 EPA/play · +9.77 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, New England Patriots generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.20 vs -0.11), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• New England Patriots: 11 drives, +16.01 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Tennessee Titans: 11 drives, -8.57 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• New England Patriots leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• T. Brady (New England Patriots) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Locker (TEN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• T. Brady (NE) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q1 53:47 · NE 10 · Score 0-3
   (8:47) (Field Goal formation) 2-R.Bironas 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
2. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q1 47:05 · TEN 23 · Score 6-3
   (2:05) 12-T.Brady pass deep middle to 81-A.Hernandez for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q1 46:59 · TEN 2 · Score 7-3
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
4. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 41:16 · NE 93 · Score 13-3
   (11:16) (Shotgun) 10-J.Locker sacked at TEN 1 for -6 yards (95-C.Jones). FUMBLES (95-C.Jones), RECOVERED by NE-54-D.Hightower at TEN 6. 54-D.Hightower for 6 yar
5. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 41:07 · TEN 2 · Score 14-3
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
6. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q2 32:06 · TEN 2 · Score 20-3
   (2:06) 12-T.Brady pass short right to 87-R.Gronkowski for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Uphel
7. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q2 32:00 · TEN 2 · Score 21-3
   3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
8. Tennessee Titans TD (+6) — Q3 25:25 · NE 29 · Score 21-9
   (10:25) (Shotgun) 10-J.Locker pass deep right to 85-N.Washington for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Tennessee Titans XP (+1) — Q3 25:17 · NE 2 · Score 21-10
   2-R.Bironas extra point is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
10. New England Patriots TD (+6) — Q3 16:08 · TEN 1 · Score 27-10
    (1:08) 22-S.Ridley left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. New England Patriots XP (+1) — Q3 16:04 · TEN 2 · Score 28-10
    3-S.Gostkowski extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
12. Tennessee Titans FG (+3) — Q4 9:20 · NE 6 · Score 28-13
    (9:20) (Field Goal formation) 2-R.Bironas 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-B.Brinkley, Holder-6-B.Kern.
13. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 4:19 · TEN 7 · Score 31-13
    (4:19) (Field Goal formation) 3-S.Gostkowski 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.
14. New England Patriots FG (+3) — Q4 0:35 · TEN 13 · Score 34-13
    (:35) (Field Goal formation) 3-S.Gostkowski 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Aiken, Holder-14-Z.Mesko.