The New England Patriots suffered a 20-17 overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday in a matchup between two of the NFL’s worst teams. And though the game was as ugly as many expected it would be, it also was wildly entertaining.
Patriots Fall to Titans in Overtime
New England allowed backup quarterback Mason Rudolph to lead Tennessee on an opening-drive touchdown but limited the Titans to one TD and two field goals the rest of the way.
After his fourth-quarter fumble led to Tennessee’s go-ahead score, rookie quarterback Drake Maye authored a game-tying drive that ended with a miraculous TD throw to Rhamondre Stevenson as time expired. It was an outrageous play.
DRAKE MAYE MAGICCCCCCCCC!!!!!!!!!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/UvIB3dRi8k
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 3, 2024
The Titans scored a field goal after chewing up 7:28 on the opening drive of overtime. Maye got the ball back with 2:32 left and moved the Patriots to their 41-yard line before throwing a game-ending interception to Amani Hooker, his second of the game.
Second INT of the day for @amanihooker37 seals it!
📺: Watch #NEvsTEN on @NFLonFOX stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/c30Xd7ti6y
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 3, 2024
Maye — who threw two picks, fumbled once, and took four sacks — completed 29 of 41 passes for 206 yards and one touchdown while adding eight carries for 95 yards. He looked like a rookie at times but also played well for long stretches.
Stevenson ran 10 times for just 16 yards and a TD but added five catches for 38 yards and a score. Hunter Henry led Patriots pass catchers with seven catches for 56 yards.
On the other side, Rudolph completed 20 of 33 passes for 240 yards and two TDs along with one pick. Calvin Ridley caught five of eight targets for 73 yards, while Nick Westbrook-Ikhine added five catches for 50 yards and a score.
The star of the day was Titans running back Tony Pollard, who ran 28 times for 128 yards while wearing down New England’s front seven. The Patriots’ run defense looked soft, especially at the second level, after an encouraging performance in Week 8.
Overall, the Titans posted 400 total yards compared to 295 for the Patriots. Tennessee also earned more first downs and was better on third downs.
The Patriots dropped to 2-7 with the loss, while the Titans improved to 2-6 with the win. New England will visit the Chicago Bears next Sunday.
Let’s look at three studs and three duds from Sunday’s game at Nissan Stadium.
Best Players for the Patriots in Loss to Titans
QB Drake Maye
This was a tough one.
On the one hand, Maye made rookie mistakes on his strip-sack fumble and both of his interceptions, and he made multiple throws that put his pass catchers in harm’s way. It was far from a perfect performance.
However, the rookie also made a bunch of explosive plays, especially with his feet, and showed toughness while facing relentless pressure and taking multiple big hits. The good outweighed the bad, but it was close.
Ultimately, the result isn’t that important. Maye once again showed franchise QB potential.
DE Deatrich Wise Jr.
Deatrich Wise Jr. didn’t start well, as his blown edge on third down led to an opening-drive touchdown for Tennessee. But the veteran was solid the rest of the way, finishing with one sack, two QB hits, and one tackle for a loss.
Wise was especially good on a two-play sequence that saw him sack Rudolph and blow up a third-down screen. Overall, this was one of his more productive games of the season.
.@wisehog94 coming quick off the edge 💪
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/p7Ut7FAjwm
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 3, 2024
WR DeMario Douglas
Douglas finished with seven catches on nine targets for just 35 yards. But he earned a spot on this list with his ridiculous one-handed grab on a 21-yard gain in the third quarter.
Take a look:
OH MY POP 🤯@popshotta3 | @DrakeMaye2
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/LrDycZm6Pe
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 3, 2024
The Patriots are still searching for ways to get Douglas more involved. His second season has been disappointing from a production standpoint. He also committed a drop during the Patriots’ final drive in the fourth quarter.
But once Maye and Douglas really start clicking, New England’s offense should become much more explosive.
Honorable mentions: Anfernee Jennings, Hunter Henry, Marcus Jones, JaQuelin Roy
Who Struggled for the Patriots in Loss to Titans?
Interior Offensive Line
We could’ve gone with the entire offensive line, which regressed after a run of solid performances. However, we’ll focus on the interior, as Michael Jordan, Ben Brown, and Layden Robinson had big issues.
Robinson, who got benched, allowed a QB pressure and committed a holding penalty while trying to contain Jeffery Simmons on the Titans’ first drive of the game. Brown also committed a holding against Simmons in the third quarter, and Jordan struggled in run blocking and pass protection all day.
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Per Pro Football Focus’ in-game tracking, New England’s O-line allowed pressure on 37% of Maye’s dropbacks. Meanwhile, Stevenson, JaMycal Hasty, and Antonio Gibson averaged 1.25 yards per carry on 12 attempts. Simmons, who racked up one sack and numerous QB pressures, was just a monster.
It’ll be interesting to see whether the Patriots move Mike Onwenu back to right guard next week after starting him at right tackle in this game. The Patriots moved Onwenu to right guard and put Demontrey Jacobs at right tackle after benching Robinson.
Linebackers
Jahlani Tavai had some decent moments, including one tackle for loss, one QB pressure, and an end-zone interception. But he also struggled against the run and was targeted in coverage a lot.
That said, Raekwon McMillan, Sione Takitaki, and Christian Elliss were the real problems.
The Titans picked on both and usually succeeded. New England’s linebacking corps was especially poor against the run, as Pollard gave the group fits all afternoon. He was a matchup nightmare.
.@Tp__5 sets up the TD with this 32-yard run
📺: Watch #NEvsTEN on @NFLonFOX stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/0T6GUN9qNy
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 3, 2024
Unfortunately, there isn’t any help on the horizon. Ja’Whaun Bentley likely will miss the rest of the season due to a torn pectoral, meaning the Patriots will sink or swim at linebacker with Tavai, McMillan, and Elliss.
CB Christian Gonzalez
In some respects, this game was a good encapsulation of Gonzalez’s generally impressive second season.
The positives: two pass breakups, lining up all over the defense, and rarely being targeted (always a good sign).
The negatives: Gonzalez was in coverage on multiple chunk plays from Ridley, who also dropped a deep pass that would’ve gone for another big gain.
Gonzalez has all the makings of a future star and already is a legitimate No. 1 corner. But he’s been inconsistent this season, and Sunday’s game wasn’t among his best.
Honorable mentions: Dell Pettus, Ja’Lynn Polk, Jaylinn Hawkins, Bryce Baringer, Marte Mapu