6 Reasons why the Patriots won in Week 15

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2. Hat trick of forced turnovers

We’ve already talked about Hicks’ scoop and score, but we haven’t touched on the two other turnovers the Patriots’ defense forced. Turnovers win games, and the Patriots took the ball away from the Titans a total of three times on Sunday.

Malcolm Butler was finally rewarded for his excellent work in pass coverage when Mettenberger lobbed a ball his way thinking it could get over the 5-foot-10 cornerback for a touchdown, but Butler had other ideas. Butler pulled off a leaping, twisting maneuver to locate the ball and come down with both feet in bounds. Nobody in the league deserved an interception as much as Butler in Week 15, so it was good to see that happen.

In garbage time, Collins made a cat-quick reaction after a tipped pass, snagging the interception and returning it an impressive 51 yards the other way. Watching Collins in open space makes one wonder about the possibility of Josh McDaniels incorporating him into an offensive package of some sort. Food for thought…

Next: 1. Success defending third downs