FOXBORO – The Patriots were clicking on all cylinders in their 59-0 rout of the Tennessee Titans. The offense wasn’t fazed by the snow, sleet, and rain, and the defense forced five turnovers as the Patriots improved to 4-2 to remain atop the AFC-East standings and drop the hapless Titans to 0-6.

WHEN THE PATRIOTS HAD THE BALL: The rain, sleet, and snow didn’t affect the Patriots’ game plan. The 59 points they put up is a new franchise record and the 59-point victory is the largest margin of victory in franchise history. In addition, the 625 yards of total offense were also a new franchise record. Playing against a Titan defense that has been shredded all season by opposing quarterbacks, the Patriots relied on the strong throwing arm of Tom Brady to put most of those points on the board, and he did just that, completing 29-of-34 passes for 380 yards and 6 touchdowns – all in just 2 1/4 quarters of action. As expected, Randy Moss (8 catches, 129 yards, 3 TDs) and Wes Welker (10 catches, 150 yards, 2 TDs) were his favorite targets, while Laurence Maroney ignited the running game with his best outing of the year, amassing 123 yards on 16 carries with 1 touchdown. The Patriots offense sputtered on their opening drive but they scored on their next seven possessions in the first half and led, 45-0, at halftime. They cruised the rest of the way.

WHEN THE TITANS HAD THE BALL: The Titans struggled to get things going all game. They turned the ball over five times and quarterback Kerry Collins only completed one pass in the first half, going 1-for-10 for 15 yards with an interception. For the game, Collins completed just 2-of-12 passes for minus 7 yards. Running back Chris Johnson was the Titans’ lone bright spot. He recorded 128 rushing yards on 17 carries, accounting for all but 58 of the Titans net yards (186 yards) for the game.

COACHING: In a surprising move, Patriots coach Bill Belichick decided to bench linebacker Adalius Thomas. As it turned out, the Patriots did not need him as Tennessee’s coaching staff had no answers for the offensive and defensive game plans that the Patriots’ coaching staff put together . . . With the game in-hand by halftime, many thought Belichick would rest his starters the rest of the game but most of them remained in the game through the third quarter.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Pats rookie Julian Edelman returned Reggie Hodges’ 35-yard punt 35 yards to set up the Patriots opening drive with a 1st-and-10 at Tennessee’s 29-yard-line. The Pats did not take advantage of the great field position. Stephen Gostkowski missed a 39-yard field goal wide right. He made up for it on his second attempt, nailing a 33-yarder that put the Patriots up 10-0, and he tied his career-best with eight extra points . . . Hodges struggled all game (6 punts for an average of 34.7 yards) while Chris Hanson’s only punt of the game was downed at Tennessee’s 6-yard line with 4:04 remaining in the game . . . Not only did Edelman average 13 yards per punt return, he averaged 25 yards per kickoff return.

INTANGIBLES: There is something about playing in snowy weather that seems to bring out the best in the Patriots. They improved to 11-0 at home in games played in the snow, while Brady improved to 28-3 in his career in games played below 40 degrees.

roblee@projo.com