FOXBOROUGH — For the first time since 2010, the New England Patriots will close out a season without a playoff victory.
A 2019 campaign that started with so much promise was snuffed out on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium, with the Titans coming away with a 20-13 victory over New England in the AFC Wild Card round.
The Patriots’ defense labored all night against Tennessee running back Derrick Henry, who finished with 204 total yards in the Titans’ victory. While Henry extended drives with his smash-mouth carries, New England’s offense was unable to capitalize on multiple promising opportunities — both at midfield and in the red zone.
The Titans’ opening drive was a sign of things to come — as a 12-play, 80-yard push down the sidelines featured seven carries and 49 yards from Henry. Close to seven minutes after New England opened the scoring with a Nick Folk field goal, Tennessee countered — capping their first drive with a 12-yard touchdown reception from tight end Anthony Firkser.
New England’s defense did respond over the next two Titans drives — forcing a pair of three-and-outs against Ryan Tannehill and Co. With Tennessee stymied, New England surged back off of a pair of scoring drives, holding a 13-7 lead in the second quarter off of a five-yard touchdown run from Julian Edelman and another Folk field goal.
However, even with that lead, New England very well could have landed a knockout punch in the second quarter. One promising drive for New England flamed out on its own 47, with Elandon Roberts given the ball on a 3rd and 1. The Titans didn’t flinch, wrapping up the Patriots linebacker at the line of scrimmage to force a Jake Bailey punt.
Even on the second-quarter that ended with Folk’s second field goal of the evening, New England left plenty of points on the table — with Sony Michel stuffed on a pair of rushing attempts on the Titans’ one-yard line.
Those squandered chances came back to bite the Patriots before halftime, with Henry once again accruing 56 of the Titans’ 75 yards in their final drive of the half — capped by a one-yard score from the running back that handed Tennessee the lead again, 14-13.
That score would hold until the final seconds of the night — when former Patriot Logan Ryan picked off Brady and ran it back into New England’s end zone to cap off a miserable night in Foxborough.
Tom Brady, in what very well could be his final game with the Patriots, finished the night with 20 completions on 37 attempts, accruing 209 yards with zero touchdowns and an interception.
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- Patriots try a hook and lateral and Brady's perhaps last pass as a Patriots is intercepted by Logan Ryan and returned for a touchdown. TITANS 20, PATRIOTS 13.
- Patriots will get the ball with under 20 seconds left needing a field goal. Titans convert on third and long with 11 yards.
- Patriots start from the 11 with a James White dump off for 20.
- Titans had it going with Henry but Tannehill fumbled a snap on third down when it was likely four-down territory.
- Patriots don't do anything with it.
- Tannehill throws one to the Patriots as he is prone to do. Looks like a Dolphins game.
- Patriots don't get much more, however. Have to punt.
- Big third-down conversion to Edelman will change field position.
- A very good first half for the offense — minus short yardage — but they have to figure out something on defense to stop Henry. They are one big body short up front and the linebackers aren't getting off blocks. It's a big problem.
- Jones saves a TD on a Henry screen. They can't stop him. He scores one play later. Titans will receive the ball after halftime. TITANS 14, PATRIOTS 13.
- Henry goes for 29 yards before the two-minute warning.
- Patriots had first and goal at the 1 and lost 2 yards before kicking the field. PATRIOTS 13, TITANS 7.
- Patriots defense holds and a good Sanu return will start the possession in Titans territory.
- Patriots give the ball to Roberts on 3rd and 1 from their own 47 and don't get it. Punt hang was 4.51.
- Butler with a pass breakup on third down.
- Edelman scores on his first touch — as easy a jet sweep as you'll see. PATRIOTS 10, TITANS 7.
- Patriots driving as the quarter ends. Not much defense being played so far.
- 12 plays, 75 yards. Henry has seven carries for 49 yards on the first drive.
- Tannehill to Firkser on third down was pretty easy against Terrence Brooks. No safety in the middle again. TITANS 7, PATRIOTS 3.
- Titans pushing the Patriots on the ground. Wise at 3-4 LDE with Roberts behind him is easy to run on. No Collins to start, traditional 3-4 with Roberts at ILB and Chung at SS.
- Great screen pass to White leads to a field goal. PATRIOTS 3, TITANS 0.
- Ridiculous catch by Ben Watson on third down.
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
(Adam Richins for BSJ)